Tuesday, May 3, 2022
Program Schedule
Schedule: April 17th 2025- Crowne Plaza Warwick, RI
8:30am - 9:45am
Registration and Check in/ Light Refreshments/Visit Vendor Tables
9:45am - 10:30am
Welcome/Open Remarks
Sabina Matos, Lieutenant Governor, State of Rhode Island
Maria Cimini, Executive Director, Rhode Island Office of Healthy Aging
Donna McGowan, Executive Director, Alzheimer’s Association RI Chapter
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RI Alzheimer’s Research Update
Kristen Cusato, Director of Communications, Alzheimer’s Association CT and RI Chapters
10:30am - 10:45am
Break/Visit Vendors and Posters
10:45am - 11:45am
(Choose one Session)
Session 1:1 "A Walk In Their Shoes" - Somatic Dementia Simulation
Amber Evans, MA, LCMHC, R-DMT, CDP, BC-DEd
Allow Amber Evans and the team from LCB Senior Living to take you through a simulation experience to better understand and empathize with what living with Alzheimer's, or other forms of dementia can be like. Through scenarios, attendees gain insight into the potential challenges faced by individuals with dementia, fostering a deeper understanding. The session combines education and emotional connection, encouraging a more compassionate and informed approach to caregiving and interpersonal interactions with those affected by dementia.
Session 1:2 Think Ahead to Prevent Dangerous Events
Laurie Mantz, OTR, CDP, CADDCT
Caring for someone with MCI or dementia involves protecting them from injury while preserving their independence. This program offers tools to prevent injuries and hospitalizations, promoting choice and autonomy for as long as possible. Topics include driving, wandering, home injuries, power tools, and weapons. We will also discuss disease progression and adapting to changes to ensure safety and minimize frustration.
Session 1:3 Navigating Care Partnerships
Kelly McCarthy, Bs, BC-Ded
This presentation reviews the relationship between resident, family, and the service provider. One extremely important objective is for families to feel connected to the care team. Change can be hard for anyone, and a diagnosis of a progressive dementia, can make a transition a challenging process. We will discuss the importance of sharing information prior to services being offered to establish a connection. We will review what each care partner has a potential to offer during a partnership experience. Lastly, we will review several ways to build on relationships for the benefit of all who are involved.
Session 1:4 Care Training and Support
Amy Parks, RN, MSN
During this session, engage with skilled nursing staff and nursing students for an interactive session that will focus on helping you as a caregiver develop new techniques and tips to support a person at home. Education and tips will cover self care for the caregiver, proper body mechanics, safe transfers, and techniques to support a person centered approach to hygiene options, nutrition.
11:45am - 12:00am
Break/Visit Vendors and Posters
12:00pm - 1:00pm
(Choose one Session)
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Session 2:1 "A Walk In Their Shoes" - Somatic Dementia Simulation
Amber Evans, MA, LCMHC, R-DMT, CDP, BC-DEd
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Allow Amber Evans and the team from LCB Senior Living to take you through a simulation experience to better understand and empathize with what living with Alzheimer's, or other forms of dementia can be like. Through scenarios, attendees gain insight into the potential challenges faced by individuals with dementia, fostering a deeper understanding. The session combines education and emotional connection, encouraging a more compassionate and informed approach to caregiving and interpersonal interactions with those affected by dementia.
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Session 2:2 Empowering Caregivers: Planning for Aging Loved Ones
Samantha McCarthy Jarvis, Esq.
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Caring for an aging loved one is a journey filled with emotional, financial, and legal complexities. Many caregivers struggle with decision paralysis, unsure of where to start or how to navigate the maze of estate planning, long-term care options, and Medicaid eligibility. In this informative session, Attorney Samantha McCarthy Jarvis will break down the essential legal tools every caregiver should understand to create a comprehensive care plan.
Attendees will learn how to choose an experienced attorney who specializes in elder law and estate planning, ensuring their loved one’s legal needs are met. The session will also address strategies to overcome common decision-making roadblocks that delay essential planning, as well as ways to balance independence with necessary legal protections for aging family members.
Key topics will include the importance of a durable power of attorney—why naming a successor is crucial—and how improper gifting can impact Medicaid eligibility. Attendees will also gain insight into proactive planning techniques that safeguard assets while ensuring access to necessary care.
By the end of this session, caregivers will feel more confident in making informed decisions that provide security and peace of mind for their loved ones. They will walk away with a clear understanding of how to structure a legally sound care plan that protects their loved one’s interests while maintaining their quality of life.
Session 2:3 Home Fit: Making Home Safe and Livable for All
Marcus Mitchell, AAPR Volunteer
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AARP surveys consistently find that older adults want to remain in their current homes and communities for as long as possible. Yet barely one percent of the nation’s housing supply contains any “universal design” elements—such as single story living or a sink that can be reached from a wheelchair. That’s where AARP HomeFit comes in. Based on the free AARP HomeFit Guide (available at aarp.org/yourhome) this presentation can help individuals and families make their current or future residence–or that of a loved one–their “lifelong home.”
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Session 2:4 Care Training and Support
Amy Parks, RN, MSN
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During this session, engage with skilled nursing staff and nursing students for an interactive session that will focus on helping you as a caregiver develop new techniques and tips to support a person at home. Education and tips will cover self care for the caregiver, proper body mechanics, safe transfers, and techniques to support a person centered approach to hygiene options, nutrition.
1:00pm - 1:30pm
Lunch/ Visit Vendors and Posters
1:30pm - 2:30pm
Keynote Address:
​Love, Loss & Resilience: A Caregiver Perspective on Life Lived Alongside Dementia
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Katie Brandt, Director of Caregiver Support Services and Public Relations, Massachusetts General Hospital Frontotemporal Disorders Unit
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2:30pm - 2:45pm
Break/Visit Vendors and Posters
2:45pm - 3:45pm
(Choose one Session)
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Session 3:1 "A Walk In Their Shoes" - Somatic Dementia Simulation
Amber Evans, MA, LCMHC, R-DMT, CDP, BC-DEd
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Allow Amber Evans and the team from LCB Senior Living to take you through a simulation experience to better understand and empathize with what living with Alzheimer's, or other forms of dementia can be like. Through scenarios, attendees gain insight into the potential challenges faced by individuals with dementia, fostering a deeper understanding. The session combines education and emotional connection, encouraging a more compassionate and informed approach to caregiving and interpersonal interactions with those affected by dementia.
Session 3:2 Understanding the Importance of Palliative and Hospice Care for Families Facing Alzheimer's and other Dementia: Recognizing When and Why to Seek Support
Lisa Wasson, RN, CHPN, CMDCP
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This program focuses on identifying moderate and late-stage dementia, along with the benefits of palliative and hospice care for individuals in these stages. It also covers the basics of determining eligibility for these services.
Session 3:3 Your Voice Matters! Advocacy 101 and the Art of Storytelling
Meredith Sheehan, Director of Public Policy, Alzheimer’s Association RI Chapter
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Join us for an engaging session on the power of advocacy and storytelling in the fight against Alzheimer’s. Learn the fundamentals of advocacy, how to effectively engage with legislators and decision-makers, and the critical role personal stories play in driving change. We’ll explore best practices for crafting a compelling story that highlights the urgency of Alzheimer’s policies and funding and conclude with a Q& A with a current #ENDALZ ambassador and a Rhode Island state legislator. Whether you're a seasoned advocate or just starting, this session will equip you with the tools and confidence to amplify your voice and make a difference in the Alzheimer’s community.
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Session 3:4 Care Training and Support
Amy Parks, MSN, RN
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During this session, engage with skilled nursing staff and nursing students for an interactive session that will focus on helping you as a caregiver develop new techniques and tips to support a person at home. Education and tips will cover self care for the caregiver, proper body mechanics, safe transfers, and techniques to support a person centered approach to hygiene options, nutrition.
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3:45pm - 4:00pm
Break/Visit Vendors and Posters
4:00pm - 4:30pm
Closing Session: Balance, Breath, & Movement
Kathy O'Neel Webster
This 30-minute session includes seated stretches,strengthening exercises and breathwork to relax and rejuvenate both the caregivers and their families.
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