Concurrent Sessions
Monday, May 23
2:00 - 4:00 PM
A=Administrator, AD=Activity Director, DS=Dining Services, E=Administrator Ethics, HR=Human Resources, M=Marketing, N=Nurse, SW=Social Worker

2A: Reducing ER Visits and Hospital Readmissions in the Nursing Home Resident

Speakers: Kim Cook, AVP of Clinical Services, Christian Care Centers, Inc., Mesquite, TX; Donna Hamby, Director of Clinical Services, Geriatric Association of America, P.A., Dallas, TX

Hospitalizing nursing home residents can be costly and can affect the overall physical and mental health of the resident. A north Texas project will share results of interventions initiated in several nursing homes to effectively impact the main reasons for transfer to the ER or readmission to the hospital.

Continuing education credit offered: A, N, SW

2B: An Approach to Food Security & Disaster Preparedness for Foodservice

Speaker: Charnette Norton, President, The Norton Group, Inc., Missouri City, TX

With the increase in natural and manmade disasters, there is a need to develop/update disaster preparedness plans. This session will present attendees with various options for alternate courses of actions in the event of a disaster when all food and water are destroyed or seriously compromised.

Continuing education credit offered: A, DS, SW

2C: Taste and Smell Disorders in the Elderly: Diagnosis, Prognosis, Treatment and its  Effect on Quality of Life

Speaker: Ronald Devere, Board Certified Neurologist, Taste and Smell Disorders Clinic, Austin, TX

There are over 15 million people with taste and smell disorders in the U.S. The elderly make up a large portion. Loss of enjoyment of eating due to taste and flavor impairment and loss of smell can lead to significant weight loss, depression, and loss of appetite, which is often incorrectly attributed to underlying cancer or gastrointestinal disorders. This seminar will be user friendly and discuss the basic anatomy and function of smell and taste, what are the common causes of malfunction, how are they treated, and its impact on quality of life.

Continuing education credit offered: A, AD, E, N, SW

2D: Repositioning: Organic Growth for Aging Senior Campuses

Speakers: Robert Green, Corporate Vice President, Development Services, Greystone Communities, Irving, TX; Ron Jennette, President and CEO, Methodist Retirement Communities, The Woodlands, TX; Brian Schiff, Senior Vice President, Planning and Financial Services, Greystone Communities, Irving, TX

Even in tough economic times, organizations must continue to grow and improve in order to serve seniors and fulfill their mission. In order to maintain market share, create new revenue streams, and advance the organizational mission, repositioning and/or redevelopment often answers the question: "Where do we go from here?"

Continuing education credit offered: A

2E: Responding to Increased Scrutiny of Charitable Organizations

Speaker: Cory Macdonald, Attorney, Davis & Wilkerson, PC, Austin, TX

Over the last ten years, scrutiny of nonprofit organizations has resulted in a revised IRS Form 990 with detailed questions about board governance, as well as increased challenges to property tax exemption. Attendees will learn methods for educating board members about the new scrutiny, conducting a legal governance audit, and demonstrating the value their organization brings to the community it serves.

Continuing education credit offered: A

2F: Creating Sales Driven Events

Speaker: Lauren Messmer, Principal, Retiring by Design, Princeton, NJ; Kristin Kutac Ward, President, Retiring by Design, Princeton, NJ

Events have historically been a good way for communities to generate new leads and to allow existing leads to better experience what the community is "all about." But many sales teams do not treat their marketing events as actual sales events and opportunities to sell their community to prospects. This session will help attendees understand how to turn their marketing events into active sales events - from promotion to managing leads to execution and follow-up.

Continuing education credit offered: A, M

2G: Collaboration: Success Stories of Cooperation & Community Outreach

Speaker: Denise Aver, Director, The Point Center for Arts and Education, C.C. Young, Dallas, TX

In today's time of economic uncertainty, working with and through others is crucial to broadening programs for residents and community participants. Learn practical ways to create opportunities in which community organizations can assist, how to leverage the collaborative efforts by both parties and real examples of success stories you can implement, too.

Continuing education credit offered: A, E, SW

2H: The REAL Cost of Staff Turnover

Speaker: Robert Lane, Managing Consultant, BKD, LLP, Oklahoma City, OK

Turnover of staff, particularly front line caregivers, is one of the largest issues facing providers today, both from a clinical and a financial perspective. This seminar will arm participants with needed information, specific direction and proven strategies to return to their organization ready to make positive changes.

Continuing education credit offered: A, HR, N

Concurrent Sessions
Tuesday, May 24
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
A=Administrator, AD=Activity Director, DS=Dining Services, E=Administrator Ethics, HR=Human Resources, M=Marketing, N=Nurse, SW=Social Worker

3A: Training the Wound Care Nurse to be Successful in Long-Term Care

Speaker: Jeri Lundgren, Director of Wound & Continence Services, Pathway Health Services, Prescott, WI

This session will provide attendees with the necessary training to help them ensure their wound care program meets F314 regulations and MDS 3.0. The session will provide training on how to set up a skin care prevention and treatment program, how to monitor those programs, and how to set up effective wound care teams and meetings.

Continuing education credit offered: A, N, SW

3B: Effective Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement for Regulatory  Compliance in Food Safety and Nutrition Areas

Speaker: Linda Handy, Owner, Handy Dietary Consulting, San Marcos, CA

In the current, highly regulated climates, how can facility staff, as an IDT team (including the Medical Director) develop Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement systems for regulatory compliance in dietary and dining areas? This session will address this question while covering areas such as food safety, infection control, allowing resident rights of choice/self determination/refusal, and maintaining nutrition.

Continuing education credit offered: A, DS, E, N

3C: Living Among the Dying: How to Keep Death from Killing You

Speakers: Bob Hultgren, Executive Director, Morningside Manor Health Care, San Antonio, TX; Kevin McSpadden, Chaplain, Baptist Memorials Ministries, San Angelo, TX; Jeff Mead, Chaplain, Morningside Ministries, San Antonio, TX; Dennis Smith, Senior Chaplain, Morningside Manor Health Care, San Antonio, TX; Eddie Tubbs, Chaplain, Calder Woods, Beaumont, TX; Wes Wells, VP Health Care, Administrator and Guide, Sagecrest Alzheimer's Care Center, San Angelo, TX

Everyone working in aging services experiences loss. While we all cope with this loss in different ways, the first step is to recognize the loss and face it. In this session, a wide array of speakers will discuss how to self cope and, in turn, help others cope with loss. Attendees will be issued resources to take back home and use in their interactions with fellow staff, families, and other community members. Join the procession and come prepared to "live it or lose it!"

Continuing education credit offered: A, AD, E, SW

3D: Transformation and Culture Change - A Panel Discussion

Speakers: Dawn Himes, Vice President of Operations, Morrison Senior Living, Frisco, TX; Jared Flayer, Regional Vice President of Operations, Morrison Senior Living, Oro Valley, AZ
This panel discussion will include CEO's and leaders within the state to discuss the various stages of their own transformation journey.

The panel will also include additional TAHSA business partners to share in their field of expertise and the potential impact on each community. An overview of the elements of transformation will be provided, followed by specific case studies of communities undergoing cultural change and then discussion and Q&A by the panel.

Continuing education credit offered: A, E, SW

3E: Health Care Reform and 2011 Regulatory Update

Speakers: Mark Chouteau, Attorney, Brown McCarroll, L.L.P., Austin, TX; Michael Crowe, Attorney, Brown McCarroll, L.L.P., Austin, TX; Daniel Sternthal, Attorney, Brown McCarroll, L.L.P., Austin, TX

Health care is changing rapidly; new laws from the health care reform have a direct impact on LTC providers. Also, 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 LTC facilities. This session will identify the new and upcoming regulatory initiatives, discuss best practices to minimize the risk of becoming a target, and explain what to do if you do.

Continuing education credit offered: A

3F: It's a New Day - Is Your Web Site Ready?

Speaker: Patty Cisco, Creative Catalyst, CISCO & CO, New Bremen, OH

Did you know your Web site should attract spiders if you want to generate leads? No, not the "real" kind, but the kind that help people find you. The static billboard Web sites of yesterday that everyone paid a lot of money for lack luster, engagement and, most of all, traffic. Engage in this session and discover how to evaluate your Web site to determine if it's ready for a new day, or if it just needs a little freshening up, or if you're just getting started what you should expect in a new site.

Continuing education credit offered: A, M

3G: Adult Day Care: Creating a Meaningful Community for People with Dementia and  Other Advanced Chronic Illnesses

Speaker: Martha Spinks, Director, Bexar Agency on Aging, Alamo Area Council of Governments, San Antonio, TX

Come learn about a nationally and internationally recognized model adult day health care center that was designed for people with dementia and other advanced chronic illnesses. The center's program and staff training were created by occupational therapists and social workers alongside the architect who designed the facility to enhance socialization and independence among participants.

Continuing education credit offered: A, AD, N, SW

3H: Discrimination & Retaliation in the Workplace

Speaker: Stephen Greenberg, Attorney, Garlo Ward, P.C., Austin, TX

This presentation is intended to provide employers an overview of discrimination and retaliation issues in the workplace, with special emphasis on sexual harassment claims. The use of mediation for resolving discrimination and retaliation claims made by employees (or former employees) will be discussed in detail. Selected sample policies that can help employers lower their risk of potential losses from discrimination, harassment and retaliation claims will be provided; and nuances and effects of the sample policies will be discussed and illustrated.

Continuing education credit offered: A, E, HR

Concurrent Sessions
Tuesday, May 24
2:00 - 4:00 PM
A=Administrator, AD=Activity Director, DS=Dining Services, E=Administrator Ethics, HR=Human Resources, M=Marketing, N=Nurse, SW=Social Worker

4A: Common Coding Errors on MDS 3.0

Speaker: Cheryl Shiffer, MDS Clinical Coordinator, Department of Aging and Disability Services, San Antonio, TX

The purpose of this presentation is to inform participants of the most common errors made in the completion of MDS 3.0 assessments. The correct coding of identified MDS 3.0 items will be highlighted. In addition, recent changes or clarifications to MDS 3.0 coding instructions provided by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid
Services (CMS) will be covered.

Continuing education credit offered: A, AD, N, SW

4B: Taste and Tales of Sicilian Cookery

Speaker: Thomas Ciapi, CEC, CCE, CCA, AAC, Chef, Buckner Villas, Austin, TX

What we learn from experiences are our greatest gifts. We continue to develop our thought process from our heritage, culture and the environment we grew up with. This session will be a back-to-basics presentation by a chef discussing national cuisine from his Italian heritage. It will include recipes and presentations for a chicory salad with balsamic vinaigrette and kalamata olives as well as an eggplant caponata. The overall message will be to promote good nutritional health.

Continuing education credit offered: A, DS A, AD, N, SW

4C: New Programming Methods for Persons with Dementia: An Ethical Approach

Speaker: Sarah Kneisler, Consultant, Senior Innovative Solutions, Seymour, WI

This session will explain the Theory of Retrogenesis which states that what we learn first is retained last in persons with dementia. This presentation will assist staff in understanding the symptoms and strengths of residents with dementia and provide strategies to implement programming that will promote the highest level of functioning. Hands-on programming ideas covered will include Montessori activities, Snoezelen multi-sensory technique, music, aromatherapy and sensory stimulation.

Continuing education credit offered: A, AD, E, N, SW

4D: Senior Living: Updates and Looking Forward

Speaker: Rich Scanlon, Managing Director, Ziegler Capital Markets, St. Petersburg, FL

This session will focus on the significant events and trends that are impacting senior living growth and repositioning. Texas senior living providers have experienced significant changes in the past years in development and financing. Come learn about what has been done and, more importantly, how requirements for senior living capital projects will change in the future.

Continuing education credit offered: A

4E: Update on Changes in CMS Enforcement and Penalties

Speaker: Jerri Ward, Attorney, Garlo Ward, P.C., Austin, TX

This session is designed to address strategies for dealing with CMS' revised regulations regarding the imposition and collecting civil monetary penalties (CMPs) for noncompliance with federal participation requirements. Learn about CMP reductions for self-reporting and changes to the informal dispute resolution process.

Continuing education credit offered: A

4F: Marketing Mental Floss

Speaker: Christine Wirthwein, President/Owner, Wirthwein Corporation Marketing & Advertising, East Aurora, NY

This session will explain how to achieve commitments from today's consumer and to increase your prospect base using social media networking and variable direct mail. Come learn the newest trends and differences in consumer sentiment toward CCRCs in today's marketplace and how to obtain and maintain a more customer-centered culture.

Continuing education credit offered: A, M

4G: The Five Key Points of Connection With Your Prospects

Speaker: Rick Hunsicker, President/Founder, Hunsicker Consulting, Fairview, TX

Learn the five steps of the customer buying decision process and the specific proven strategies and tactics to most effectively connect with the prospect at each of the five steps. Knowledge of the five steps and strategies will help providers build and maintain highly effective sales and marketing programs.

Continuing education credit offered: A

4H: How to Keep Your Organization Union-Free Under a Pro-Union Labor Board

Speaker: Christopher Antone, Managing Partner, Jackson Lewis LLP, Dallas, TX

Concern is widespread that the new Labor Board will issue rulings that will make it easier for unions to organize workers. The new Board may also sidestep stalled congressional efforts to enact card check recognition and first contract arbitration by taking action to revamp the union election process and restrict employers' ability to engage with employees about the disadvantages of unionization. Come hear the latest on this timely topic.