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The Northern Plains Conference

on Aging and Disability

Resilience and Wisdom Through Aging

 

 

Schedule of Events

Print Conference Schedule at a Glance

 

Tuesday, September 22

 

Time                        Event

3:30-4:30pm ...........Early Registration

                                 Ramada Conference Center Lobby

 

4:30-6:30pm............Senior Living Facilities-Free Dinner Tours

                                 Pre-registration required

                                 Depart and return to Ramada’s Main Lobby

                                 Edgewood Vista, S. Fargo

                                 Riverview Place, S. Fargo

 

6:00-6:45pm............Tour of Bethany Towers and Kinder House

                                 Coffee and Refreshments

                                 Registration Required 

                                 Bethany Homes • 201 South University Drive

                                 Fargo, ND • 701.239.3000

 

6:35 pm....................Transportation to Bethany Homes for Keynote

                                  Presentation

                                  Depart from and return to the main lobby.

                                  (Registration for transportation is required.)

 

7:00-8:30pm.............Conference Kick Off— Keynote Presentation

                                  Bethany Homes

 

                                 “Normal and Pathological Changes in the

                                   Aging Brain”

                                      Colin Combs

                                       This presentation will provide a general overview of

                                        brain changes both normal and pathological with

                                        age, as well as a review of major theories of the

                                        mechanism of degeneration responsible for

                                        Alzheimer's disease.  This presentation is suitable

                                        for a general audience.  No Cost to Attend!

 

Wednesday, September 23

 

Time                          Event

7:30-8:30am..............Registration

                                  Coffee and Rolls

 

8:30-9:00am..............Conference Opening and National Anthem

 

9:00-10:00am............Opening Keynote—

 

                                  "The Journey of the Soul"

                                     Harry R. Moody

                                      Dr. Moody takes us through life's stages including

                                      dreams of the last half-century reflected through the

                                      prism of life review and how it has shaped

                                      generational identity.  We will look at a single life

                                      story revealed in the self-portraits of Rembrandt and

                                      conclude with the stages of spiritual growth

                                      unfolding in the second half of life.

 

10:00-10:30am..........Beverage Break --

                                   Exhibits Open

 

10:30am-12:00pm.....Concurrent Sessions

 

 

  Session 1 .............“Contribution of Brain Inflammatory Changes to

                                   the Pathophysiology of Alzheimer's Disease"

                                    Colin Combs

                                      This presentation will review specific mechanisms

                                      of microglial-dependent proinflammatory changes

                                      that occur in the brain in both experimental models

                                      of disease as well as the human condition.  This will

                                      involve some specific details appropriate for an

                                      audience of healthcare or biomedical professionals.

 

  Session 2 .............“The Soul of Bioethics"

                                     Harry R. Moody

                                     Struggling with health care decisions involves more

                                     than academic analysis:  it demands our heart and

                                     soul.  This workshop presents a unique blend of

                                     philosophical analysis with methods for putting

                                     results into practice.  In this workshop we also

                                     explore the soul of bioethics through dreams, illness

                                     narratives, and first-person reflection as a basis for

                                     empathy in ethical deliberation.

 

  Session 3 .............“Bambi vs. Godzilla”

                                    Bruce Christopher

                                      Difficult people are everywhere!  They can be

                                      customers, co-workers, bosses, neighbors, or even

                                      spouses.  This program humorously reveals the six

                                      basic difficult personality styles that are out to drain

                                      you and your organization of vital energy.  You will

                                      learn how to stay empowered in the face of

                                      negative, reactive, and draining people - and laugh

                                      while you do it.

 

  Session 4 .............“Is She Dead Yet?  Attended Deaths:  How to Help

                                   a Loved One Die and Survive the Experience

                                   with Grace"

                                    Carol Bradley Bursack

                                      Carol speaks about deaths she's attended.  Some

                                      contain spiritual revelations, and some contain

                                      hilarious moments.  The tone of the speech is

                                      positive, highlighting lessons learned, as well as

                                      ways of bringing hospice care into the picture, and

                                      the importance of health directives.

 

  Session 5 .............“Stay At Home with Assistive Technology

                                   Solutions for Dementia”

                                    Jeannie Krull

                                      Jeannie will discuss the Interagency Program for

                                      Assistive Technology (IPAT) and the range of

                                      assistive technology devices available for persons

                                      with dementia.  Select equipment will be

                                      demonstrated including medication dispensers,

                                      GPS, No-Start Car Battery Switch, alarm clocks

                                      with record voice, and door alarms.

 

12:00pm....................Lunch (your name badge is your meal ticket)

 

12:30-1:30pm............Exhibits Open

 

1:30-3:00pm..............Concurrent Sessions

 

  Session 6 .............“Early Stage Alzheimer's Disease:  What Is It and

                                   What Can You Do About It?"

                                    David Goldberg

                                      Learn about early stage Alzheimer's disease,

                                      including symptoms and the difference between

                                      young onset and early stage.  Discuss the benefits

                                      of early diagnosis.  Find out about services and

                                      programs available to people with early stage

                                      Alzheimer's disease.

 

  Session 7 .............“Ethical Dilemmas in Work with Older People" 

                                    Harry R. Moody

                                      This workshop provides an intensive overview of the

                                      major ethical issues in health and social services

                                      for older adults.  Issues considered include:  adult

                                      protective services; long-term care placement;

                                      autonomy and mental capacity; end-of-life decision-

                                      making; and cross-cultural ethnic differences.

 

  Session 8 .............“Doctor's Orders:  Go Fishing"

                                    Dean Shrock

                                      Dr. Dean Shrock has taught this message to

                                      thousands of cancer patients and their families for

                                      almost 20 years.  It stresses the importance of

                                      having a will to live, and the need to do what brings

                                      you the greatest joy and meaning in your life.  This

                                      presentation will explain why joy and peace of mind

                                      are essential for good health, and how to find them.

 

  Session 9 .............“Why 'Parenting Your Parents' and 'Role

                                   Reversal' are Misleading Terms”

                                    Carol Bradley Bursack

                                      Carol talks of the danger of using terms that put the

                                      elderly in the position of a child, even when the

                                      terms seem right and descriptive for the care you

                                      are giving.  As humans, we often act out the words

                                      we think.  Carol talks about replacing those words

                                      with terms that better reflect the life and legacy of

                                      the elder.

 

  Session 10 ...........“Disability Awareness"

                                    Deanna Bakken

                                      Are you knowledgeable about disability issues?  Do

                                      you feel comfortable around people with disabilities?

                                      If or when you acquire a disability, what kind of life 

                                      will you want?  Deanna's presentation will answer

                                      these questions and more, using her own personal

                                      experiences, practical advice and sense of humor.

                                     

3:00-3:30pm..............Break with Refreshments

                                   Exhibits Open

 

3:30-4:30pm..............Afternoon Keynote

                                 “Why Are Women So Strange & Men So Weird?”

                                    Bruce Christopher

                                      At the heart of any business are relationships -

                                      between team members, customers, and

                                      supervisors.  Excellent communicators have better

                                      relationships at work and home.  They climb the

                                      ladder of success more effectively and achieve

                                      greater success.  This session takes a very

                                      hilarious look at how men and women think, speak,

                                      and make decisions differently.

 

5:00- 7:00pm.............Senior Living Facilities-Free Dinner Tours

                                   Pre-registration required

                                   Depart and return to Ramada's main Lobby

                                   Pioneer House Assisted Living, S. Fargo

                                   Sheyenne Crossing, W. Fargo

                                   The Waterford @ Harwood Groves

 

Thursday, September 24

 

Time                          Event

8:00-8:30am..............Coffee and Rolls/Research Poster/Art Sage Exhibit

                                   Vendor Door Prize pickup (must be present to win)

 

  Session 11 ...........“Best Friends approace to Alzheimer's Activities”

                                    Jo Huey

                                     

8:30am-2:30pm........(All day session)

                                    David Troxel 

                                      This inspirational presentation teaches participants

                                       how to care for someone with Alzheimer's disease

                                       using the groundbreaking Best Friends approach. 

                                       Caregivers will learn to integrate the essential

                                       elements of friendship - respect, empathy, trust,

                                       and humor - into their care techniques. 

 

8:30-10:00am............Concurrent Sessions

 

  Session 12 ...........“Getting Through the Eating Season”

                                    Cheryl Woodson

                                      The weeks between the Jewish High Holy Days and

                                       Valentine's Day are a landmine of eating.  Instead

                                       of making resolutions we never keep, can we be on

                                       the front end of this process and avoid gaining the

                                       weight in the first place?  Dr. Woodson offers

                                       insights and strategies to avoid holiday weight gain.

 

  Session 13 ...........“Aging with Grace and Dignity - Slow Medicine”

                                    Dennis McCullough

                                      Shaped by common sense and kindness, grounded

                                      in traditional medicine yet receptive to alternative

                                      therapies, Slow Medicine is a measured treatment

                                      of "less is more" that improves the quality of

                                      patients' extended late lives without bankrupting

                                      their families financially or emotionally.

 

  Session 14 ...........“Capturing History...Now?  The Importance of

                                   Videotaping Your Family

                                    Tom Pence

                                      Tom will offer advice and share his experiences in

                                       videotaping individuals as they record their history

                                       and advice for future generations.  He will also

                                       discuss the technical aspects to achieve the best

                                       possible finished product.

 

  Session 15 ...........“Improved Communicative Interactions with

                                   Individuals with Dementia:  Direct and Indirect

                                   Interventions”

                                    Nancy Paul

                                      Changes in communication abilities associated with

                                      Alzheimer's disease will be discussed, with an

                                      emphasis on deterioration of and retained abilities. 

                                      Implications for intervention based on making the

                                      most of retained abilities will be emphasized.  Direct

                                      and indirect interventions which may improve

                                      communicative interactions with individuals with

                                      dementia will be presented.

 

10:00-10:30am..........Break

                                   Research Poster Session, Art Sage Exhibit 

 

10:30-12:00pm..........Concurrent Sessions

 

  Session 11 ..........."Best Friends Approach to Alzheimer's Activities"

                                   (Continued)

                                     David Troxel

 

  Session 16 ...........“Don't Kill the Message, or the Messenger - How

                                   to Deliver Bad News”

                                    Cheryl Woodson

                                      Health care advocates are often called upon to tell

                                      families what they don't want to hear.  Dr.

                                      Woodson will walk participants through the

                                      process of giving bad news including the self-

                                      examination required to develop the skill.  She

                                      offers specific strategies including environment,

                                      format, language to decrease barriers and handle

                                      emotional responses.

 

  Session 17 ...........“Why Love Heals"

                                    Dean Shrock

                                      Dr. Dean Shrock served as Director of Mind-Body

                                      Medicine for a physician management group of 40

                                      cancer centers.  His research found that cancer

                                      patients lived longer when they felt listened to, cared

                                      for, and supported.  This presentation explores why

                                      love heals, and how to apply this in your personal

                                      and professional lives.

 

  Session 18 ...........“Whitney Senior Center - A Paradigm Shift for

                                   Senior Centers"

                                    Steve Hennes

                                      Steve will discuss why a new vision of leadership

                                      and creativity is critical for senior centers.  This

                                      leadership needs to create partnerships with the

                                      private sector, government and individuals.  Steve

                                      will explain how creative, bold new programming

                                      and services will help you senior center prepare for

                                      the new generation of boomers on the horizon.

 

  Session 19 ...........“Financial Security:  Every Woman's Issue"

                                    Janet Witt

                                      Because women generally live longer and earn less

                                      than men, achieving financial security in retirement

                                      can present a number of challenges.  This session

                                      will focus on a number of issues women should

                                      consider as they plan for their financial future and

                                      retirement, including Social Security, other

                                      retirement income, and how to pay for health care

                                      beyond Medicare.  The presenter will also discuss

                                      the financial impact of caregiving that results from

                                      breaks in a work career and the views across

                                      generations and ethnic groups on Social Security.

 

12:00-1:00pm............Lunch (your Name Badge is your meal ticket)

                                       Research Poster Session, Art Sage Exhibit

 

1:00-2:30pm..............Concurrent Sessions

 

  Session 11 .........."Best Friends Approach to Alzheimer's Activities"

                                 (Continued) 

                                     David Troxel

 

  Session 20 ...........“Do You Have Tickets for the Space Shuttle?  If

                                   Not, You'd Better Make it Work on THIS Planet”

                                    Cheryl Woodson

                                      Fear, procrastination, anxiety, lack of confidence,

                                      the weight of people's expectations - these are

                                      some of the factors that keep us mired in a safe,

                                      bland existence instead of working to develop a

                                      joyous, fulfilled life.  Dr. Woodson challenges

                                      attendees to "end the pity party and take control of

                                      your life."

 

  Session 21 ...........“I Hear Just Fine...You Mumble!  Hearing Loss and

                                   Isolation”

                                    Marcia Schutt and Linda Ehlers

                                       Knowledge of hearing loss, of how to improve

                                       communication, and of available resources can go

                                       a long way in coping with hearing loss and

                                       maintaining independence.  Linda and Marcy

                                       provide information and referral, training and

                                       consultation, and demonstration of assistive

                                       equipment.

 

  Session 22 ...........“Medical Assistance Planning”

                                    Susan E. Johnson-Drenth

                                      Susan will discuss the new laws and changes in

                                      Medical Assistance since the 2005 Deficit

                                      Reduction Act.

 

  Session 23 ...........“Social Security:  Today and Tomorrow”

                                    Janet Witt

                                      Social Security celebrated its 70th birthday in 2005. 

                                      Will this safety net continue to provide financial

                                      security to children, survivors, people with

                                      disabilities and seniors into the future?  Can Social

                                      Security really go broke?  Can you really leave

                                      money in your private account to your heirs?  These

                                      and many other questions will be explored in this

                                      discussion of Social Security.

 

2:30-2:45 pm.............Beverage Break

                                   Art Sage Exhibit

 

2:45-3:00 pm.............Announcements, Major Door Prize Drawing

                                   (Must be present to win)

                                 

3:00-4:00...................Closing Keynote-

                                   "Don't Chase Skinny Rabbits”

                                    Deadra Stanton

                                      Before we can grow professionally, we need to

                                      learn to survive personally.  As the pace of change

                                      quickens every day, we sometimes end up chasing

                                      too many skinny rabbits.  When we do this we lose

                                      our energy and our focus on what's really

                                      important.  Coming from an "in the trenches"

                                      perspective, Ms. Stanton draws on real life

                                      examples and humor to reaffirm that your choices

                                      in life are good ones.  Plan on leaving this

                                      presentation with many new ideas, a revitalized

                                      sense of self and NO SKINNY RABBITS!

 

 

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