Live In Person Seminars

February 17 – February 19, 2009
Conference Center at North Pointe

Schedule of Events:

February 17 – 2 hours

3:30 p.m. Pre-Conference Registration

4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Preconference Session

February 18 – 6 hours / 1 bonus hour

8:30 a.m. Conference Check In/Continental Breakfast

9:00 – 10:30 a.m. – General Session

10:45 – 12:15 p.m. – Concurrent Breakout Sessions

12:15 – 1:15 p.m. Networking Luncheon

1:15 – 2:45 p.m. – Concurrent Breakout Sessions

3:00 – 4:30 p.m. – Concurrent Breakout Sessions

4:45 – 6:00 - Bonus Session

February 19 – 6 hours

7:45 – 8:15 a.m. Conference Check In/Continental Breakfast

8:15 – 9:45 a.m. – General Session

10:00 – 11:30 – Concurrent Breakout Sessions

11:30 - 12:15 p.m. Networking Luncheon

12:15 – 2:15 p.m. – Concurrent Breakout Sessions

2:30 – 3:30 p.m. – General Session


February 17 – pre conference program

4 – 6 p.m. Restorative & Activities – Linda McNeal White

This program will explore ways to use activities as a means of a restorative program by making them an activity with the basic elements in providing programming services to residents who are in need of improvement, maintenance, prevention, palliation, of their abilities. Many of these will enhance the continuation of basic ADL functions, ambulation, self-care, dining, communication, and help to decrease incontinence. Topics covered include resident conditions and anticipated response, the benefits of activity programs, program considerations, environmental factors and leadership techniques. Also covered will be adaptive activity ideas, resources and basic concepts in creating a restorative activity program. Demonstrations of new methods of involving dependent residents in a group activity will be provided.

Objectives:

The participants will have knowledge of
1. How to implement activity restorative program that will enhance the continuation of basic ADL functions, ambulation, self-care, dining, communication, and help to decrease incontinence
2. How to evaluate resident conditions, responses, environment factors and how to work with Restorative Nursing.
3. How to adapt activity ideas, resources and basic concepts in creating a restorative activity program.


Thursday, February 18

8:30 a.m. Conference Check In

9:00 a.m. Opening General Session – MDS 3.0/ Activities - Tammy Cassidy & Linda Bach

The MDS 2.0 has been a powerful tool for implementing a standardized assessment and for facilitating care management in nursing homes. The proposed MDS 3.0 changes have been designed to improve the reliability, accuracy, and usefulness of the MDS.

One significant advance in the MDS 3.0 is the use of direct interview items to consistently elicit resident voice in the process. Gathering MDS information directly from the resident should improve identification of resident needs and enhance resident-focused care planning.

Facilities can begin to prepare for the October 2010 implementation of the MDS 3.0 and for the Quality Indicator Survey by building, and improving interview skills. The results of both staff, and surveyor, interviews will determine the appropriate plan of care and can impact on your survey results.

After this session the participant should be able to:
1. Discuss the changes to the MDS 3.0 assessment related to the Activity staff
2. Develop a better understanding of the MDS items that require direct interview
3. Identify and begin to implement a process to improve interview skills related to the MDS 3.0 and Activities

10:30 a.m. Break

10:45 a.m. Concurrent Sessions

1. Building an Effective Volunteer Program - Michael A. Bower, BA, ACC
With the down turn in the economy, many facilities are tempted to rely upon volunteers to supplement their paid staff. While this session will explore the pros and cons of that issue, it will focus on building a strong and diversified volunteer program, including recruitment, training, and retention. The attendee will receive copies of the forms and other tools used in this session, with permission to use them.

Objectives Upon completion of the presentation, the participant will be able to:
• Identify at least three sources for volunteer recruitment
• List three or more key components of volunteer training
• List three or more methods to promote volunteer retention

2. From Here to There with Montessori – Holly Melick & Cindy Koester
Montessori programs change the looks of activities, to a rehabilitation approach for the dementia. Through Montessori programs, it gives people with dementia the opportunity to maintain or improve skills for their daily living. Montessori programs are completed in sequence and progress from simple to complex.

Objectives:
1. Identify steps to take your program from simple to complex.
2. Have knowledge of implementing individualized Montessori programs for your residents.
3. Enhance your programs with shared ideas.

12:15 p.m. Lunch

1:15 p.m. Concurrent Sessions

3. Mental Health Issues in Elder Care- Michael A. Bower, BA, ACC
People with mental health issues are entering care facilities in greater numbers, and they pose some unique challenges to care staff. Often our staff has little or no basic understanding of mental health disease and many misconceptions. This combination can impact the quality of the care given. This session gives a brief overview of the four major mental health diseases and the possible challenging behaviors that result, and offers interventions. Strategies for developing an effective mental health training programs for staff are also explored.

Objectives Upon completion of the presentation, the participant will be able to:
• Identify 3 or more symptoms for each of the 4 major mental health diagnoses
• Name 3 or more reasons people with mental health diagnoses present challenges in eldercare settings
• List the components and advantages of staff training in mental health disorders

4. Activities - Making Time Live – Jean Ann Moshier

Activity professionals new to the filed face many challenges. This program will increase their professional knowledge of planning and implementing a balanced activity program meeting the social, spiritual, intellectual and emotional needs of the resident. Participants involvement will challenge attendees to develop activities to meet the needs of the resident as well as activities that make the resident feel useful and that they have a purpose. At the end of the session, the attendee will have a better understanding of the meaning of the statement “Activities are not to kill time, but to make time live”.

Objectives Upon completion of the presentation, the participant will be able to:
• Discuss the purpose of the activities program in LTC.
• Identify steps to take to implement therapeutic activities that enhance the quality of life of a resident.
• Have knowledge of planning a program of activities that are relevant to the needs, interests, background, etc. of the resident.
• Have knowledge of planning an activity program that have purpose, meaning and make the residents feel useful.
• Have the knowledge of how to adapt activities to meet the needs of the resident, such as hearing, sight, etc.

2:45 p.m. Break

3:00 p.m. Concurrent Sessions

5. Non-Verbal Communication – It’s Not What We Say, But How We Say It! - Michael A. Bower, BA, ACC
Many problems in giving quality care arise from poor communication, and that often has less to do with what we say than how we say it. This is particularly true when we consider that approximately 50% of the people in our eldercare settings have hearing impairments!

Misunderstanding occurs when what we say does not match how we look. This session explores non-verbal communication techniques, both for others and for ourselves, and provides the attendees with opportunities to actively participate in exercises that underscore and practice non-verbal communication.

Objectives:
List 3 or more ways that we communicate non-verbally
Demonstrate 3 or more non-verbal communication techniques
Explain how touch effects communication

6. Hitting the Curve Balls: Lessons learned - Vicky Coy, Nancy Engle, Elonda Hall, Emily Roach and Denise Wingard

Are you new to the activity profession and overwhelmed by your duties? Or a veteran in need of rejuvenation? Are you struggling with unanswered questions and seeking solutions? Then join a panel of five activity directors who have worked many years in long-term care. We'll share tips to lighten the load and make your days run smoother. Please bring your questions and we'll address your specific areas of concern.

Objectives:
1. Learning to manage time and priorities.
2. Understanding the importance of separating personal self from professional self.
3. Strategies to cope with change and grief.
4. Shortcuts to delivering optimum services.
5. Explore methods to rejuvenate ourselves.

4:30 p.m. Adjourn

4:45 p.m. Bonus Session: Overcoming the number one fear in life, Public Speaking - Stephen White

Are you afraid to speak up in a meeting even when you believe in something deeply? Does the thought of speaking in front of even a small group of people cause your mouth to dry up and your palms to sweat like Niagara Falls? Whatever your goals in life may be your success depends on your ability to communicate. Individuals who can verbalize their ideas so that they can be heard, understood and acted upon possess one of the primary qualities of leadership. In surveys of the greatest fears people have the number one fear listed is the fear of public speaking. This one hour session won’t make you a polished speaker but will help provide a road map for you to begin your journey in overcoming this fear.

Objectives:
1. Why public speaking is one of the safest professions. Why you can only learn by doing.
2. How to organize your talk, the opening, body and conclusion then just tell stories.
3. How to prepare yourself for speaking and how to practice.
4. How to break the habit of saying ah and um and other repetitive phrases.
5 How learning to speak in public can help make you a more effective leader that can help you in meetings and in service trainings.

5:45 p.m.

Friday, February 19, 2010

7:45 a.m. Check In

8:15 a.m. Opening General Session – Quality Indicator Survey/ Activities - Linda Bach & Tammy Cassidy

CMS is implementing the Quality Indicator Survey to determine if Medicare and Medicaid certified nursing homes meet Federal requirements. This two (2) staged QIS was designed to improve consistency and accuracy of quality of care and quality of life problem identification by using a more structured approach to the survey process. Stage 1 of this process includes resident, family, and staff interviews, resident observations, and clinical record reviews. Prepare for this survey change by knowing what the surveyors will ask under the QIS, build and improve interviewing skills, reduce stress at survey time, and give the staff an upper hand in the process.

After this session the participant should be able to:
1. Discuss the differences between the Traditional and the QI Survey process
2. Develop a better understanding of the interviewing techniques used for the QIS process
3. Identify and begin to implement a process to improve interview skills related to the QIS and Activities

9:45 a.m. Break

10:00 a.m. Concurrent Sessions

7. Get a Grip on Arthritis! - Nick Turkas
More than 46 million Americans live with the pain of arthritis. At this session, you will learn about the causes and risk factors for arthritis. Participants will also learn about local resources and training opportunities offered by the Arthritis Foundation. The session will also include an exercise demonstration.

Objectives:
By the end of the presentation, participants will be able to identify:
• The 5 major forms of arthritis
• Methods to control pain including drug and non-drug treatments
• Simple exercise to maintain and improve joint function
• Community resources including the Arthritis Foundation
• Local training opportunities for evidence-based programs

8. Documentation Requirements Made Easy for Activities– Linda McNeal White
It seems like every day there is another MDS to complete, a Care Plan to write, new assessment information to be obtained, a progress note to be written and it never ends. Did you ever wonder how can you complete all of this documentation without feeling overwhelmed everyday? This session will focus on how to accomplish the required documentation by using some shortcuts that will still meet the regulations for documentation. If you want to know how to accomplish this in a timely manner this is a session you will not want to miss.

Objectives:
The participant will have knowledge of:
1. The importance of an accurate assessment that reflects the elder’s lifelong interests, spiritually, life roles, goals, strengths, needs and preferences.
2. How to transfer the assessment information to the MDS
3. How to identify the risk factors for the RAP note
4. Writing a person centered care plan that reflects the elder’s livelong interests, issues, concerns or needs based on the assessment. Writing Care Plan goals that have outcomes to be achieved by the elders and reflect the needs affecting the elder’s involvement/engagement in activities.
5. Writing the Progress Note to show the progress made and/or the lack of progress made toward the Plan of Care goal

11:30 a.m. Lunch

12:15 p.m. Best Practices – mini sessions (25 minutes each, with 5 minutes to switch, get to go to 4 of the 5?)

a. Tired of Paper Shuffling? Let’s Get Organized– Linda McNeal White

Activity Professionals today feel like they are spending the majority of their time shuffling papers, attending meetings and planning activities. Often they are shuffling through stacks of papers trying to find a certain memo, article, meeting minutes, etc.. They often feel overwhelmed in a sea of paperwork. Organized files and time management can help in making presentations to other coworkers and administration staff for assistants with departmental needs.

Objectives:
The participant will have knowledge of:
1. The importance of an accurate assessment that reflects the elder’s lifelong interests, spiritually, life roles, goals, strengths, needs and preferences.
2. How to transfer the assessment information to the MDS
3. How to identify the risk factors for the RAP note
4. Writing a person centered care plan that reflects the elder’s livelong interests, issues, concerns or needs based on the assessment. Writing Care Plan goals that have outcomes to be achieved by the elders and reflect the needs affecting the elder’s involvement/engagement in activities.
5. Writing the Progress Note to show the progress made and/or the lack of progress made toward the Plan of Care goal

b. Skilled Services – Angela Erdelack

Come and learn the benefits of skilled programming; dynamics and implementation; care planning and documentation issues; and offer suggestions/insight for successful programming ideas. Ideas for younger population and rehab will be shared. This will be an interactive program so bring your ideas as well!

Objectives:

1. Identify appropriate activities for younger population.
2. Identify appropriate therapeutic activities for rehab patients.
3. Discuss documentation & care planning requirements.
4. Describe programs to share with participants at all levels of functioning.

c. I Did What? – Cindy Koester
Many co workers, in the different departments, do not realize everything they do. Can we open their eyes and have them take credit? I did what ….for who? Did I share this information?

Objectives:
1. Participants will have the ability to open their eyes and take credit for what they do.
2. Knowledge to share with co-workers so they take credit.

d. Zumba Gold – Joanna Pearson RN, Tianee Strickland and Denise Wingard
Tired of your chair exercising groups, need to add some life to you and your program well join us for our Zumba Sessions. You will learn how to conduct your own zumba group, and laugh till it hurts. The Zumba® Gold Fitness program is second to none. It is an innovative, fun and exciting program. It was designed for the active older adult, the true beginner, and/or people who are not used to exercising, or people who may be limited physically. The main difference between Zumba Gold and Zumba Basic is Zumba Gold is done at a lower intensity, not as fast, but it certainly is as fun. The same great Latin styles of music and dance are used. This amazing program is very easy to follow so anyone at any age will be able to do Zumba Gold. Dances that are specifically highlighted in this program include the Merengue, Salsa Cha Cha, Cumbia, Salsa, Rock & Roll (including Twist and Charleston), Belly Dance, Flamenco, and Tango. Another program of Zumba Gold includes a chair workout for people who are sedentary or wheelchair bound. This is especially beneficial for those people who are in assisted living, and short and long term care facilities.

Objectives:
1. Understand the benefits of incorporating a dance program for residents physical and mental well being.
2. Discuss the steps necessary to develop a program.
3. List the therapeutic benefits of dance.

e. Crafts and Games: Simplified - Brenda Johnson, Barbara Raypole, Robin Yeager

Crafts can be a difficult as well as an over stimulating activity for those with cognitive impairments. New and seasoned Activity Professionals will leave this session with several craft and game ideas. In addition, we will present ideas on how to break down and modify tasks for successful outcomes and a sense of accomplishment for your residents.

Objectives:
1. Discuss the therapeutic benefits of crafts for those with cognitive impairments.
2. Learn 3 new craft ideas to enhance the physical and mental wellbeing of your residents.
3. Differentiate between crafts for fun and crafts that are fun and also provide therapeutic benefits to your residents.

2:15 p.m. Break

2:30 p.m. Closing General Session - Regulatory Update – Shane Craycraft

When it comes to the profession of long-term care, we all know that change is inevitable. As professionals within long-term care facilities, it is very important that you have an understanding of the challenges facing the industry. However, navigating the overwhelming amount of material is difficult. This session will provide the information you need to know on the following items to keep you abreast of the changes. Some of the topics to be covered include:
• Survey Information including how to avoid Immediate Jeopardy
• Resident/Family Satisfaction Surveys
• DNR/MOLST
• Quality Indicator Survey (QIS)
• Advancing Excellence in America’s Nursing Homes
• Five Star Rating Program
• OHCA’s White Papers on topics such as Coumadin Therapy, Fall Reduction & Injury Mitigation, Pain Management, Physical Restraints, Pressure Ulcers, and more.

3:30 p.m. Adjourn