1B Exploring the Future of Network Technology in Long-Term Care
Speaker: Joe Riesberg, Director of Infrastructure & Engineering, VCPI Healthcare Solutions, Milwaukee, WI
At this session, you will learn how to gain added benefits from expensive technology while improving efficiency and reducing costs. Prepare for the future's tech-savvy residents and families by learning how to use existing products and services in new ways. Explore technology trends that can improve revenue through services to residents and families.
1C The Art of Downsizing
Speaker: Susan Gaze, President, Tender Transitions, Inc., Houston, TX
This session is designed to address the emotional and physical aspects of downsizing. When the anxiety of downsizing is minimized, clients adjust more quickly to new living situations. Hundreds of decisions are made during transition periods. As aging service providers, our goal should be to ask the right questions to ensure a smooth transition for everyone involved. Come learn proven techniques of how to do so.
1D eScribing + Remote Dispensing = Competitive Edge
Speaker: Reef Gillum, President, ProvideRx, Forney, TX
The program that won TAHSA's 2008 Innovation of the Year Award is providing this session to report on medication waste, medication errors, facility cost reductions, and regulatory compliance improvements through a culmination of six years of remote pharmaceutical dispensing. Come learn from the masters!
1E Legislative Update
Speakers: Cory Macdonald, Attorney, Davis & Wilkerson, PC, Austin, TX; Joyce McLaughlin, Attorney, Davis & Wilkerson, PC, Austin, TX; David Thomason, Senior VP of Advocacy and Public Policy, TAHSA, Austin, TX
Healthcare reform will impact everyone. Buried provisions will impact contracts with outside providers, reimbursement and resident care. Legislative proposals aimed directly at long-term care providers require changes including mandatory ethics and compliance programs. At this session, you will receive an up-to-the-minute update on both federal and state legislation and identify necessary responses to a new era of health law.
1F The Journey to Collaboration
Speakers: Kenda Bremer, Quality Improvement Consultant, TMF Health Quality Institute, Pearland, TX; Carol Hoskins-Burks, Quality Improvement Consultant, TMF Health Quality Institute, Austin, TX
Distrust and negativity is a common relationship mode between hospitals and nursing homes. This session will verify the importance of collaboration between the two settings, encouraging improved relationships that result in enhanced care. You will learn methods to establish trusting partnerships, bringing positive results to your community and those you serve.
1G CCRC's - The Silent Generation Revolution: Are You Prepared? Or Will You Be Left Behind?
Speakers: Gene Dolloff, Chairman, Morrison Senior Dining, Wayne, PA; David Ratchford, President & CEO, Spectrum, Gastonia, NC
Morrison has completed two extensive research studies exploring the physical, programmatic, and cultural changes that will enable our field to successfully engage members of the Silent Generation. This session will explain how the potential for change is endless in every aspect of the CCRC campus, and to better serve the Silent Generation is to ensure the future success of your organization.
1H We Don't Hire People to Fire
Speaker: Eric Haider, CEO/President, Person Centered Care, Inc., Bradenton, FL
Everyone wants to do a good job. Why is it that every day we find someone not doing it? Learn practical ways to help employees gain a more positive attitude, work together as a team, and stay with your organization for an extended period of time. Attitude is everything!
Concurrent Sessions
Monday, May 18
2:00 - 4:00 PM
2A The Impact of Medicare Bundling on Post-Acute Care
Speaker: Patricia Driscoll, President/CEO & Professor, Home Health Services of Texas, Inc. & Texas Woman's University, Carrollton, TX
In this session, you will explore the potential impact on post-acute care providers of Medicare bundling provider reimbursements. The prospect of splitting a lump-sum payment for a patient's acute and post-acute care further entwines provider relationships within the continuum of care. Don't miss your chance to gain insight on strategies to best position your organization for changes in Medicare reimbursement.
2B Step-by-Step Details of Program Development: Let's Get Down to Business
Speakers: Pearl Merritt, Regional Dean of Texas Tech University Health Science Center Anita Thigpen Perry School of Nursing, Abilene, TX; Vickie Ragsdale, Owner, Ragsdale Senior Care Consulting, LLC, Fair Oaks Ranch, TX
This session will provide you with details about the development stages of two different programs: a one-year career ladder program for nurse aides and a 16-week end of life care program. An overview of time and resources needed will be given from staff who have created these programs. Benefits and challenges of program development will be discussed along with identifying programming needs within your organization.
2C Why Rituals? Call it Routine, Call it Habits, Call it Traditions - They All Matter!
Speaker: Iris Bowden, Community Relations, EdenHill Communities, New Braunfels, TX
This session will address the use of rituals to aid elders in more comfortably coping with their losses and dependency. Rituals offer them the ability to stay connected with their community and the routines of the past, ultimately keeping them connected with their memories. The sense of pride, validation, belonging and security provided by this discovery ensures their link between the past and the present.
2D A Regulator's View of Cultural Change in Nursing Home Design
Speaker: Fred Worley, Architectural Unit Manager, Texas Department of Aging & Disability Services, Austin, TX
Come hear about the opportunities provided within the limits of Life Safety Code and state licensing standards for designing healthcare facilities that will have a small house atmosphere from the state architectural manager for long-term care. Learn how these ideas can be applied to residential neighborhoods in larger nursing facilities.
2E What Does the Community Benefits Standard Mean to Your Campus and How You Operate?
Speaker: Daniel Sternthal, Attorney, Brown McCarroll, L.L.P., Austin, TX
Community Benefit is an important obligation of tax exempt long-term care providers that relates to community involvement, developing public trust, and commitment to ethical practices. This session will begin with a brief review of the legal standard regarding community benefit and will move into a group discussion of how those standards may affect how facilities operate on a day-to-day basis and what options exist for demonstrating compliance with Community Benefit Standard.
2F Successful Aging: Proven Strategies Creating Greater Resident Satisfaction
Speakers: David Gobble, Director of Masterpiece Academy, Masterpiece Living, Palm Beach Gardens, FL; Joy Loverde, VP Sales and Marketing, Masterpiece Living, Palm Beach Gardens, FL
New developments in human potential are leading to breakthrough discoveries. Organizations that model this science have demonstrated a variety of successes and have changed their culture and improved the health and wellbeing of residents and employees. At this session, descriptions of proven initiatives will help explain why successful aging programs are now the protocol to healthier, more satisfied residents.
2G Low Cost & High Style: 50 Ways to Please Your Mother
Speakers: Wade Andres, President, Andres Construction, Dallas, TX; David Dillard, Principal, CSD Architects, Dallas, TX
Today's economic climate has wreaked havoc on our industry. But there are some things that you can do to make the numbers work, including applying these 50 tried and true tips and tricks for maintaining high style while containing costs. This session will allow you to explore creative solutions for cost cutting from design and construction professionals.
2H This Is Your (Work) Life: A Provider's Q&A on Hot Topics & Trends in Employment Law 2010
Speaker: Dana Stripling, Attorney, Of Counsel, Garlo Ward, P.C., Lakeway, TX
This employment law workshop is designed for providers by providers. We will review the employment law questions raised by YOU. You will asked to submit your "burning employment law" questions prior to the conference, and the top 10 issues will be addressed during the session. You can be sure we'll discuss wage and hour issues, attendance problems, off-duty conduct, immigration changes, FMLA leave time and reasonable accommodations, recent employment laws enacted, as well as any other workplace issue raised.
Concurrent Sessions
Tuesday, May 19
10:00 - 12:00 PM
3A QIS: An Overview of the Quality Indicator Survey
Speaker: Cindy Mason, VP of Provider Services, Nursing Home Quality, Centennial, CO
The Quality Indicator Survey (QIS) is coming to Texas! A clear understanding of the QIS allows providers to convert anxiety to empowerment and readiness. Learn the facts about the QIS structure and process and how the survey can be used by providers to prepare for both the QIS and traditional survey.
3B Culture Change in Dining and Regulatory Compliance
Speaker: Linda Handy, Owner, Handy Dietary Consulting, San Marcos, CA
How does your staff ensure regulatory compliance as interdisciplinary culture change teams move toward more person-centered dining? Learn of CMS guidelines, best practices, and resident rights as they relate to late rising/late breakfast, 24/7 food availability, visitor food, refusal of ordered therapeutic diets, and maintaining sanitary conditions.
3C What Can You Do After You Have Had Them Fold the Towels?
Speaker: Noreen James Gray, Director of Lifestyle Programs, HCR ManorCare, Purmela, TX
This session will offer tips and techniques for using programming to enhance the quality of life for those with Early Stage ADRD. You will learn how to improve the needed daily structure for those who can no longer initiate it for themselves. Improvements to individual pursuits as well as small and large group programming will be discussed.
3D Update from CMS
Speaker: Theresa Bennett, Technical Advisor for Survey Certification, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Dallas, TX
Here is your opportunity to ask questions and get information concerning the survey process from a regulatory agency expert. Theresa Bennett from CMS will present information on current and upcoming issues facing the long-term care industry. Don't miss this chance to interact with a CMS expert to discuss issues affecting your facility.
3E "Survive!": The Survey Survival Guide
Speaker: Jerri Ward, Attorney, Garlo Ward, P.C., Lakeway, TX
Learn the secrets of surviving the survey! At this session, you will learn how to scrutinize your systems to improve compliance and to prepare for your annual survey and keep prepared for surprise surveys. You will also learn how to effectively deal with bad surveys to avoid being "voted off the island."
3F Can You See Your Own Nose? Eight Steps to an Objective Marketing Self-Assessment
Speaker: Mary Jane Fitts, VP of Marketing, Sears Methodist Retirement System, Inc., Austin, TX
CCRC's, assisted living facilities and nursing homes can all benefit from going back to basics and conducting their own comprehensive marketing or communications assessment, to examine the existing practices and materials to answer the question, "Where are we now?" Learn how an assessment can provide the information vital in determining future marketing strategy, identifying opportunities and potential growth areas.
3G Fair Housing: How to Train Your Staff (and Residents) to Comply
Speakers: Daniel Sternthal, Attorney, Brown McCarroll, L.L.P., Austin, TX
This session will focus on fair housing compliance from the perspective of how to effectively train your staff and residents to improve compliance to law to handle testers. Learn about the basic concepts of fair housing and how it applies to each facet of your organization.
3H 2010: A Workplace Oddity (How to Make Sense of Wage and Hours Laws)
Speaker: Dana Stripling, Attorney, Garlo Ward, P.C., Lakeway, TX
This will be a fast-paced and highly interactive session on wage-and-hour compliance for long-term care and senior housing employers. The session will cover the most misunderstood and difficult-to-apply aspects of this law with serious - but avoidable - consequences. Just a few of the topics and hand will be compensation, overtime, bonuses and incentives, misclassification, and FLSA retaliation lawsuits.
Concurrent Sessions
Tuesday, May 19
2:00 - 4:00 PM
4A Who Decides - A Shift in Mindset for Alzheimer's Care and Program
Speakers: Martha Fiddes, AVP Medicare/Wellness, Christian Care Centers, Mesquite, TX; Angela Green, Administrator, Christian Care Centers, Mesquite, TX; Michael Molett, Administrator of the Courtyard, Christian Care Centers, Mesquite, TX; Teresa Scott, VP Marketing, Christian Care Centers, Mesquite, TX; Nancy Sanders, Director of Retirement Living, Christian Care Centers, Mesquite, TX
This session will present a wellness approach to Alzheimer's care and programs. Topics will include early detection screening, Posit Science Brain Fitness Program, Life Bio (reminiscing and memory improvement), snoezelen rooms (multi-sensory activity environments), and wellness overviews.
4B Making Pureed Foods More Appealing
Speaker: Tracey Ragland, Healthcare Account Manager, U.S. Foodservice, Lubbock, TX
Learn how to make your pureed foods more appealing and more like the regular non-pureed foods. We all eat with our eyes first! Seeing assorted colored scoops of food on a plate is very unappetizing, not to mention makes food unidentifiable. In this presentation, you will learn plating techniques and walk away with great ideas and recipes to enhance your pureed food program.
4C The Nerve to Serve... Say Hello to Humor & Goodbye to Burnout!
Speaker: Jody Urquhart, Motivational Speaker & Author, I Do Inspire, Calgary, Alberta
Humor helps! The ability to laugh at life helps us deal with daily disappointments and setbacks. Humor gives professionals the nerve to serve in a complex and challenging environment. Join us for a demonstration on how humor helps you stay in control and maintain balance and perspective. Learn how to laugh at the touch stuff, use appropriate humor as a tool (not a weapon), play along the way and enjoy work, and create rapport to win residents' and families' trust.
4D Senior Living: The Year in Review
Speaker: Rich Scanlon, Managing Director, Ziegler Capital Markets, St. Petersburg, FL
2009 senior living development and financing went from a dead stop to Mach 1 in a very short period of time. At this session, hear who did what over the past 12 months and how they did it and, more importantly, what the requirements for getting senior living capital projects done in the near future will be.
4E Regulatory Update: RACs, MICs, MIPs, FBI, DOJ, OIG, and Other Three Letter Words
Speakers: Mark Chouteau, Attorney, Brown McCarroll, L.L.P., Austin, TX; Michael Crowe, Attorney, Brown McCarroll, L.L.P., Austin, TX
Regulators are being given more incentive and authority to go after bad actors, regardless of intent, in an effort to improve compliance with the myriad of regulations that apply to long-term care facilities. Merely becoming the target of an investigation, regardless of outcome, is costly and time consuming. This session will identify the new and upcoming regulatory initiatives, discuss best practices to minimize the risk of becoming a target, and what to do if you do.
4F Marketing With a New Edge!
Speaker: Jodi Barnes, Director of Operations, Lake View Assisted Living LLC, Granbury, TX
At this session, you will learn ways to use outside resources to boost your census and lower your bottom line. Use these tips to understand what your ancillary providers can offer, maintain residents and control emergency situations, build your lead prospects, and improve your overall marketing efforts.
4G Outdoor Environments for Seniors
Speaker: Patrick Smith, Vice President, Pi Architects, Austin, TX
Advances in science and medicine have allowed humans to live to a much older age. But what quality of life do they face in their final years? What role can the outdoors play in shaping that quality of life? This session will cover medical benefits and risks of outdoor exposure and safety, operational, and budget consideration for different senior populations.
4H Translating Business Strategy Into Effective Compensation, Rewards, and Talent Management Programs
Speaker: Bob Cartwright, President & CEO, Intelligent Compensation, LLC, Pflugerville, TX
At this session, you will be provided with an educational roadmap, in-depth knowledge, and key information on current compensation, rewards, performance management and talent management trends and strategies. You will learn how to apply this knowledge to your organization and how to utilize these business strategies to lead in excellence.
