8:30 AM - 9:45 AM

 

 

• Review the current "state of the union" as it related to CMS policies regarding memory care
• Define the five-star quality rating calculation changes, and how these influence memory care specifically
• Analyze the strategic direction defined by the IMPACT Act, how CMS is implementing, congressional direction and initiatives in progress, and influential efforts from organizations like MedPAC
• Outline the key characteristics all organizations, both assisted living and skilled nursing, will need to position themselves for success in the new era of policy

 

9:45 - 10:15 AM

Networking Break

10:15  - 11:15 AM

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

 

 

The initial success that CMS has with its 2014 focused dementia care survey pilot led to 2015’s focused survey expansion. This survey, coupled with the addition of two new Quality Measures related to antipsychotic medication use in nursing homes, show that the Agency plans to pinpoint dementia care compliance for the foreseeable future. The presenter will provide an overview of the regulatory impetus for the dementia focused surveys and discuss the keys to successful survey outcomes related to dementia care and unnecessary medications.

 

 

• Discuss the regulatory history that created the need for focused survey types
• Prepare to leverage the Focused Dementia Survey Tools released in 2015 by CMS for use in facility practices and quality improvement initiatives
• Recognize the importance of the 2013 revised guidance at F-309 Quality of Care and F-329 Unnecessary Medications related to dementia care compliance and the focused survey initiative
• Describe the importance of non-pharmacological interventions in memory care and the potential impact on survey results

In the past, memory support focused on decline, caring for older adults with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, and managing their symptoms. An innovative treatment, SAIDO Learning^®, grants us the opportunity to provide hope by improving symptoms and quality of life among cognitively impaired older adults.

 

The award-winning documentary, “Do You Know What My Name Is?”, was filmed at Eliza Jennings in Cleveland and tells the story of the first U.S. trial of SAIDO Learning. The film chronicles the dramatic progress of residents engaged in the study that took place at Eliza Jennings in 2013.

 

Join Eliza Jennings executive leaders Sheryl Sereda and Christopher Müller as they share the stunning results produced by SAIDO Learning among residents of their nursing community, the evidence-based methods that support measurable cognitive improvement, and an upcoming national research study with The Cleveland Clinic and Case Western Reserve University to further non-pharmacological advancements for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

 

12:30 - 2:30 PM

 

Effective memory care is only possible through collaboration.  With knowledge bases, best practices, and evidence-based techniques being the centerpieces of effective programming and care--the Memory Care Forums are turning to it's attendees to be the experts.

 

Join Editor-in-Chief of Long-Term Living, Pamela Tabar, and the Director of the Institute for the Advancement of Senior Care (IASC), Adam Armstrong, as they guide an engaging best practices discussion around the top issues surrounding memory care.  Each small breakout group will be posed with one of the biggest challenges associated with effective memory care, and will be presenting their top tools and best practices that addressed these issues.  

 

The following key questions will be posed and addressed, with all notes and best practices documented and shared with the group following the conference:

 

2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Afternoon Plenary Presentation
P02 - Do You Speak Alzheimer’s? - Effective Communication Strategies in Dementia Care

Dayne DuVall, LMT, CAEd, CRTS, Chief Operating Officer, National Certification Board for Alzheimer Care

Alzheimer's disease and related disorders (ADRD) gradually diminish a person's ability to communicate. Communication with a person with Alzheimer's requires patience, understanding and good listening skills. 
 
In this session, we will discuss communication strategies to employ with residents/clients, their families, and other care providers.  Discover effective and proven methods to increase positive interactions with individuals with ADRD, improve families and care providers to manage stress levels and personal health, and enhance the relationship and understanding of care plans between families, care providers, individuals with ADRD, and the health care teams supporting them.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize that all “behavior” is a form of communication and be able to identify strategies for communicating with persons with ADRD
• Outline the importance of non-verbal communication and identify methods of improving communication via these methods
• Demonstrate effect strategies for communicating with families
• Distinguish the important role that knowledge of cultural diversity plays in communicating with persons with ADRD, families and other care providers

3:30 - 4:00 PM

Networking Break

4:00 - 5:00 PM

 

 

The Birdsong Initiative was an academic research study guided by Westminster-Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay, a multi-facility long-term care provider based in Virginia Beach, VA.  Westminster partnered with the Eastern Virginia Medical School, and Virginia Wesleyan College to develop an in-depth and focused research study to determine the impact engaging technology might have on residents with dementia. 

The 24 week evidence-based research study tracked the impact of 24/7 on-demand customized computer engagement tools on a number of key biometric areas of evaluation, including: blood pressure, frequency of behavioral episodes, depression according to the Geriatric Depression Scale, and more.  

In this session, join Amy Powell, one of the leaders of the Birdsong Initiative research program and Director of Continuum Services for Westminster-Canterbury, as she shares the compelling and transformative impact revealed by the research team. Review the data captured straight from the resident's bed side, and see how technology is influencing more than programming agendas.

Learning Objectives:

• Examine the evidence and findings behind the Birdsong Initiative, and learn how technology can transform Dementia care
• Outline how technology positively influenced key quality of life metrics including: Cortizol levels, blood pressure levels, the depression scale, and other important biometric areas
• Define strategies for how technology can be a transformative bridge covering the affordability gap prohibiting the delivery of constantly available, one-on-one, and individualized therapeutic recreation programming

5:00 - 6:30 PM

Networking Reception

7:30 - 8:30 AM

Breakfast

8:30 - 9:30 AM

Morning Plenary Presentation

P03 - How to Effectively Deploy a Non-Pharmacological Memory Care Program:  Bridging the Gap of Neuroscience and Supportive Living

Joshua J. Freitas, CAEd, CADDCT, CDP, Corporate Director of Memory Care and Resident Engagement, LCB Senior Living, LLC

This session will address how non-pharmacological interventions as well as quality associate training may be a more effective strategy for treating those with memory loss.  Attendees will explore how behavioral color therapy may create a more supportive living environment and how to deploy communication approaches that have long-term effects on the person and sustain cognitive functioning.  As part of this session, attendees will develop a better understanding of dementia, a better ability to connect with someone with memory loss through contemplative care practices and how to engage a person with memory loss in a good quality of life.

Come learn how The Dementia Concept was created through research and evidence-based practices as well as the progressive research between Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and LCB Senior Living on mindfulness and cognitive rehabilitation.

Learning Objectives:

• Distinguish how the philosophy of color can increase resident engagement, appetite, attention, and in some cases even cognitive function.
• Explain how resident engagement changes the body on a macular level and how research suggests that it may slow down (and in some case reverse) our aging process and even signs and symptoms of dementia. 
• Recognize how our environment changes our brains through a term referred to as neuroplasticity. You will develop a basic understanding of Epistemology (the way we view the world) and how it affects your brain (and the brain of someone with dementia).
• Develop a better understanding of Epigenetics and how it controls the course of dementia as well as how resident engagement changes our DNA.
• Examine the latest programs suggested by LCB Senior Living, LLC, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital and how they improve the quality of life and sustain resident skills and abilities through a Habilitative environment.

9:45 - 10:45 AM

 

 

Currently there are over 5 million Americans with Alzheimer’s disease. One in three seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another dementia. As a result of the high prevalence of Alzheimer’s/dementia in our elder population we have seen steady growth of residents living in long term care who have cognitive impairment. For example, estimates suggest up to 70% of those living in Assisted Living have some diagnosable form of Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia and are evenly split across the dementia stage continuum.

 

As the number of individuals with Alzheimer’s/dementia rapidly grows, we have seen an explosion of memory care providers. Yet providing dementia/memory care is one of the most complex types of care to provide, requiring a high degree of specialization including staff skill, organization and system preparation, and environmental planning. Caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s/dementia presents many unique challenges, requiring a high degree of specialization to overcome the challenges and to experience success in memory care.

 

Kim Warchol will identify some of the risks associated with serving individuals with Alzheimer’s/dementia and she will describe key components of memory care best practice which can help to mitigate the risks and facilitate positive business and care outcomes.  

 

• Identify common dementia care risks and challenges
• Describe memory care best practice components
• Diagram the relationship between memory care best practice and quality outcomes

W08 - Memory Screening: Testing Protocols for Detection and Monitoring

J. Wesson Ashford, M.D., Ph.D., Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University

Screening, assessment, and evaluation are at the heart of the modern memory care unit.  A number of the latest tools and methods for screening can serve as a key touch point between staff, resident, and family-- allowing for continuous improvement of case management beyond the entry of standardized ADLs.

In this session, review the latest screening protocols both pre-diagnosis and post-diagnosis that further effective care and management of those with dementia.  Learn how memory screening and monitoring can estimate ADL needs for placement and care, the scientific and clinical approach behind these tools that effectively evaluate cognitive function, and why these programs have become a staple for top care organizations nationally.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the indicators of cognitive deterioration and dementia, from the earliest difficulties with forming new memories to the late loss of the oldest memories, and understand the basis and time-line of this progression
• Appreciate the needs and cost-effectiveness considerations for cognitive impairment screening which led to the Congressional requirement for cognitive evaluation as part of the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit
• Examine the wide range of instruments to detect cognitive impairment in older adults, including screening for memory difficulties and assessment of dementia severity
• Outline reasons for choosing a particular cognitive screening/assessment instrument for a particular care setting, including becoming aware of very brief computerized tools for assessing memory
• Relate cognitive impairment and level of dementia severity to corresponding losses of activities of daily living function, which will impact care planning and provision of care

10:45 - 11:15 AM

Networking Break

11:15 AM - 12:15 PM

 

 

High levels of occupancy and excellent customer satisfaction in memory care is driven by an organization wide approach to care and an educated, supported and engaged staff.  All staff is sensitive and understands that turning over the care of a loved one diagnosed with memory loss is a very sad, stressful and emotional time for a family. 
Research and experience has shown that an initial and ongoing family education and support programs can ease guilt, improve care, communication and relationships with staff, and overall family satisfaction.  This session will share an organization – wide, proactive program designed to inform, enhance knowledge of disease progression, facilitate communication, and enhance occupancy and customer satisfaction. 
 
This session will share a 25 year experience and include: 1) preparing staff for memory care; 2) research on family desires; 3) managing initial requests; 4) providing initial dementia education and  resources to families; 5) preadmission fears and a family-oriented admission process; 6) integrating and engaging family members: 7) mechanisms for communication; 8) a proactive approach for family concerns and complaints; 9) conducting educational and informational family meetings; and 10) impact and utilization of family surveys.  This session will offer an organizational approach to engaging families, improving the admission process and overall resident and family satisfaction.  Practical methods for replication will be shared as well as the research methods and the beneficial outcomes for families, residents, staff and facility. 
 
Learning Objectives:

12:15 - 1:30 PM

Networking Lunch

1:30 - 2:30 PM

 

 

With Baby Boomers continuing to age, and with it the elder population’s dramatic increase in size--memory care as a field is growing at the same alarming rate.
 
With many long-term care providers launching memory care units and designing new environments for the unique needs of these residents, how will you differentiate your organization and communicate your values to your local market?
 
In this session, President of Premier Coaching and Training, Luke Fannon, outlines the primary factors that impact your organization’s brand, public perception, and reputation among an increasingly competitive landscape.

 

• Define the key benefits of a memory care program and its impact on residents, caregivers and referral sources
• Prepare for differentiation of memory care programs from competitors through the use of Competitive Advantage Messages.
• Recognize which referral sources to target to increase qualified referrals to their memory care programs
• Create a "Localized Branding Campaign" to generate qualified referrals for a memory care programs

 

 

As the number of individuals affected by dementia grows, there is an increased demand for innovative, effective care models designed to meet the special needs of this population.  Because the needs are so complex and constantly changing, solutions must be comprehensive, coordinated and person centered.  To achieve this goal, interdisciplinary collaboration is required to ensure that the issues can be viewed from a variety of vantage points and interventions incorporate the full range of professional resources. 

 

Phoebe Ministries’ experiences in creating an award winning program to provide short term rehabilitation to individuals with dementia (NET) will serve as an illustration of effective interdisciplinary collaboration.  By exploring the collaborative journey undertaken by Phoebe’s Center for Excellence in Dementia Care as the NET model was developed, this presentation will share insights, experiences and recommendations related to fostering effective interdisciplinary collaboration in support of innovation in dementia care.   

 

In this session, Executive Director of Phoebe Center for Excellence in Dementia Care, Dr. Kelly O'Shea Carney, reveals the path her organization has taken over the past three years to develop one of the top memory care program in the United States.  Phoebe Ministries has been recognized by the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) as the winner of the 2013 Brodsky Innovation Grant, and by LeadingAge as the Excellence in Care Award winner in 2016.

 

 

• Identify the characteristics of effective interdisciplinary team collaboration
• Describe the ways in which interdisciplinary collaboration is essential to innovation in dementia care
• Define the conceptual underpinnings of Phoebe’s NET model that illustrate the benefits of interdisciplinary collaboration in dementia care innovation