 |
Session Overviews |  |
| Home | Agenda | Session Overviews | Wigwam Resort |
| Participant Registration | Vendor Registration | Sponsorship Opportunities | Nearby Arizona Attractions |
 |
 |
|
Session Overviews | |
| Home | Agenda | Session Overviews | Wigwam Resort |
| Participant Registration | Vendor Registration | Sponsorship Opportunities | Nearby Arizona Attractions |
|
|
|
Opening Session & Welcome
Gary Olson, President, Board of Directors
Kathleen Collins Pagels, Executive Director
Arizona Health Care Association
Gary Olson is the Administrator of Mountain View Manor, a 116-bed facility in Prescott. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Health Care Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and has more than 18 years of experience in long-term care administration, including three years as Program Director for an ALTCS Program Contractor. He is serving his sixth term on the AHCA Board of Directors.
Kathleen Collins Pagels is the Executive Director of the Arizona Health Care Association (AzHCA), the state’s largest association of licensed long term health care facilities, assisted living centers and allied health care related businesses and organizations. Previously, Kathleen was Director of Public Policy for the Arizona Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, and has spent much of the last 25 years in a professional capacity serving the aging network. She has worked in the arenas of administration, program management and development, lobbying and advocacy. Kathleen has been a long term care consultant, college instructor, featured presenter and is a member of several local boards and committees.
The “Write” Stuff … Documentation, Depositions and Dollars
Robert J. Milligan, Esq., Gallagher & Kennedy
Kelly McDonald, Esq., Begam, Lewis, Marks & Wolfe
Susan McClellan, Esq., Jennings, Strouss & Salmon
Linda Palmer, Administrator, Beverly Healthcare-Shadow Mountain
Luis Gonzalez, M.D., Phoenix Geriatrics and Internal Medicine
Terry Corbett, Esq., Spiess & Short
As leaders in the long term care arena, we are committed to providing the highest caliber care to our residents. Our goal is to deliver this care in a capable and compassionate manner. Documentation of these efforts is a critical professional responsibility and is integral to our success. Mistakes in documentation can lead to medical errors affecting the quality of care, and may impact our liability in today’s litigious health care environment.
This session will provide an overview of certain key elements of a long term care lawsuit focusing on the importance of documentation, the use of depositions to explore and exploit factual disputes, and insights from both plaintiff and defense points of view. This exciting and interactive presentation will include the presentation of fact-patterns, the depositions of three witnesses, and “dos and don’ts” related to documentation.
Robert J. Milligan is an attorney with the law firm of Gallagher & Kennedy and is the director of the firm’s health care practice. He represents physicians, physician organizations, home health agencies, long term care facilities and other providers in a wide variety of matters. Mr. Milligan is a member of the American Medical Association’s Doctors Advisory Network, the American Health Lawyers Association, the ABA Health Law Litigation Committee and the Arizona Association of Health Care Lawyers. He is a graduate of the DePaul University School of Law (J.D., 1980). He is currently listed in The Best Lawyers in America. Mr. Milligan is a frequent speaker, panelist, and author, and is often quoted in local and national media on issues surrounding physician services and health care.
Kelly McDonald is a member of the law firm of Begam, Lewis, Marks & Wolfe, A Professional Association of Lawyers, where he practices in the areas of medical malpractice, nursing home negligence and elder abuse and neglect. Mr. McDonald received his A.D., B.Ed. and J.D. degrees from the University of Cincinnati. He has spoken locally and nationally on nursing home negligence and related issues. His experience includes working in health care and nursing for over nine years. Mr. McDonald is a member of the Maricopa County Bar Association, the State Bar of Arizona (member, Section on Mental Health and Elder Law) and the American Trial Lawyer’s Association (member, Nursing Home Negligence Litigation Group).
Susan I. McLellan is a partner with Jennings, Strouss & Salmon, practicing in the areas of medical and dental malpractice defense and products liability litigation. She is also a registered nurse and practiced nursing in Indiana, Texas, and California. Her clinical nursing practice included an emphasis in medical-surgical intensive care. She received her B.S. in Nursing from Ball State University and graduated Cum Laude from California West School of Law in 1989.
Linda Palmer is a Registered Nurse and licensed nursing home administrator with over 30 years of experience in Long Term Care. She has worked in numerous positions in skilled nursing facilities including, Director of Nursing, Social Services Director, Utilization Review Nurse, Case Manager and Administrator. From 1992 until 1998, Linda was employed by the Arizona Department of Health Services as a long term care surveyor, Program Manager, Office Chief, Deputy Assistant Director and Assistant Director of the Assurance and Licensure Division. Linda has served as a Standard of Care and Regulatory Compliance expert witness in numerous nursing home litigations. Currently, she is the Executive Director of Beverly Healthcare Shadow Mountain in Scottsdale.
Luis L. Gonzalez, Jr., M.D., FACP holds a medical license in Arizona and is Board certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, and Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Dr. Gonzalez is also certified by AMDA as a medical director of long term care. He is currently Medical Director for Odyssey Hospice Healthcare, Arizona Eastern Star and Classic Residence by Hyatt, and maintains an active private practice limited to Geriatrics in community facilities. Dr. Gonzalez received his MD from the University of Cincinnati in 1982, and served his residency at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. He is currently serving his third term on the Arizona Health Care Association’s Board of Directors as Medical Director Representative.
Terry L. Corbett has practiced law in Arizona since 1990. His practice currently emphasizes civil litigation, general business, healthcare, and administrative law. His previous legal experience includes plaintiff personal injury, product liability, insurance defense, condemnation, and commercial litigation, as well as contract work as an Administrative Hearing Officer for the Arizona Department of Health Services. Mr. Corbett attended Arizona State University, where he graduated with a B.S., magna cum laude, in 1974, an M.H.S.A. in 1979, and an M.B.A. in 1989. Mr. Corbett received his J.D. degree from Arizona State in 1990, where he was a member of the Order of Barristers.
The Transforming Power of Hope
Robert Van Arlen
International Speaker, Trainer, Consultant and Author
Through the power of music this motivational speaker will promote an understanding of the benefits of being a healthcare professional in the senior housing community. His message will incorporate Change, Focus, Quality Care, Hope, and FUN!.
Robert Van Arlen is a motivational speaker, corporate trainer and executive coach, who is rocking audiences through the creation of music. The former executive is helping individuals achieve greater performance through passion and creative thinking. His career of managing customer service, sales and marketing teams spans over two decades. As a Division Manager in Fortune 500 legal publisher CCH, Inc., his team continuously received top honors for outstanding performance. In 1993 he was named General Manger of CCH Canada, establishing new industry standards in sales and marketing excellence. For the past four years Robert has delivered speeches and training workshops to hundreds of organizations nationwide. His paradigm of music helps individuals increase their self-awareness, thereby initiating sustainable changes in behavior.
DHS Update --- What Everyone in Long Term Care Needs to Know
Catherine Eden, Director
Richard Littler, Program Manager-Assisted Living
Arizona Department of Health Services (DHS)
This session will present the latest updates from two key individuals in the Arizona Department of Health Services: the importance of long term care in the DHS framework (Cathy Eden); issues and trends identified during the survey process of long term care facilities and what changes are being discussed for Arizona’s assisted living rules and regulations (Richard Littler).
Catherine Eden was appointed Director of the Arizona Department of Health Services in May 2000. Prior to assuming this position, Cathy served as Vice President for Public Affairs with Rural/Metro Corp, an international corporation focusing on medical services, ambulance and fire fighting industries. From 1990 to 1994 Ms. Eden served as a member of the Arizona House of Representatives, representing legislative district 25 in Phoenix, serving on the House Appropriations, Health, Judiciary, Insurance, and Banking Committees. She has a B.S. in political science from ASU, an M.S. in sociology/public administration from the University of Northern Arizona, and a Ph.D. in organization and management from Capella University, Minneapolis.
Richard Littler’s career has centered around developing, implementing and providing services to the elderly. He has held the position as program manager of the Department of Health Services, Office of Assisted Living since January of 2001. Previously he worked in the rural counties of Pinal and Gila to develop and link behavioral health and social services programs for the elderly. In addition, Mr. Littler worked for the Arizona Department of Economic Security, Aging and Adult Administration for over 18 years, 10 of which he served as the Program Administrator.
Providing Palliative Care Services for Residents with Advanced Dementia
Jan Dougherty, RN, MS, Special Projects manager
Alzheimer’s Association
Gary Martin, Ph.D., CEO/Clinical Director
Integrated Geriatrics Behavioral Health Associates
Alzheimer’s disease is now the fourth leading cause of death among older adults. The bulk of these “silent victims” will live out their final one to three years in nursing facilities with no specific programming to meet their growing complex needs. This session describes an innovative program to deliver palliative care to persons with advanced dementia residing in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Aspects of comfort, personhood, quality of life and milieu will be reviewed. Staff training, program implementation, resident and staff outcomes, and utilization/cost measures will be discussed.
Jan Dougherty, RN, MS, received her BSN from Valparaiso University and her MS in Gerontological nursing from the University of Arizona. She is the Special Projects Manager for the Alzheimer’s Association, Desert Southwest Chapter and has developed and implemented the “Best Practice Dementia Care” program and serves as the project director for two palliative care grants.
Gary Martin, PhD, is a clinical psychologist who specializes in geriatrics. He received his BA from Stanford University and his PhD in Clinical Psychology from Ohio University. Dr. Martin is the Clinical Director for several specialized dementia care and behavioral management programs in the greater Phoenix area. He is bringing palliative care programming to a number of clinical sites.
The MDS Help Desk: FAQ’s Answered
Kathy Bailey, MDS Automation Coordinator
Arizona Department of Health Services
This presentation is designed to give new and existing Directors of Nursing, MDS Coordinators, and Administrators the ability to identify and resolve problems relating to MDS transmission. Participants will learn when to contact the state agency, how to access and utilize the MDS reporting system to help manage MDS requirements and how to monitor facility compliance with federal regulation. Lastly, this seminar will allow for questions and answers from the audience regarding common problems related to MDS.
Kathy Bailey received her Master’s of Social Work from ASU and has been employed as the MDS/OASIS Automation Coordinator for the Arizona Department of Health Services since October 2000. Prior to that she was an ALTCS Case Manager for Maricopa County with experience in both the residential and home & community based programs.
Risk Management Essentials for All Staff
Tra Beicher, RNC, ARM, HRM, CWS, Director of Risk management Support Services
TIS Insurance Services, Inc., Healthcare Services Division
The point of power in risk management is at the facility level. It’s all about preventing problems before they start. Join presenter Tra Beicher as she shares her highly pragmatic philosophy and approach to risk management. She will focus on the four major areas of risk exposure: admissions, family and resident orientation, facility systems, and service/care delivery. Attendees will learn to identify the inherent risks and specific techniques to reduce loss potential. The advantage of these practices is that they will also improve survey management, quality care, as well as staff, resident and family relations.
Traeon Beicher is a registered nurse, board certified in gerontology, and a certified wound specialist with over 20 years experience in clinical nursing and quality assurance. Ms. Beicher, who is also a certified healthcare risk manager, has 12 years of experience as a consultant and expert in health care litigation. She has served as corporate risk manager for a national long term care organization, and speaks extensively on the interrelationship between clinical nursing, risk management, and legal outcomes.
Getting the Greatest Generation Connected
Jack York, Founder
It’s Never 2 Late
This presentation, geared towards non-technical individuals, will show you how to get residents in every stage of life to take advantage of the health and connectivity benefits of the Internet and computers. Various types of adaptive technology that can open up the world to users with various physical and cognitive disabilities will be discussed. Participants will be shown how to make programs work in a variety of senior environments (assisted living, nursing homes, adult day programs), and research will be presented which is proving the health benefits of getting your residents connected. The computer will be looked at as a therapy tool as well as an activity. The presentation will include hands on demonstrations of the technology as well as audio and video clips of how it looks in action. Participants gave this presentation one of the highest ratings at last year’s conference.
Jack York founded It’s Never 2 Late in the summer of 1999 after spending 14 years in the semiconductor industry where he retired as vice-president of global sales for Vishay Intertechnology. In 1998 he began donating computers to assisted living centers in California with his other business partners. This endeavor became a labor of love and the enthusiasm that the seniors showed motivated him to establish It’s Never 2 Late.
Legislative Education and Advocacy Development … LEAD
Kathleen Collins Pagels, Executive Director, Arizona Health Care Association
Cheri Tomlinson, Director of Community Relations, Area Agency on Aging,
Region One
Barry Gold, Executive Director, Governor’s Advisory Council on Aging
Lupe Solis, Associate State Director-Advocacy, AARP
This workshop presents an opportunity to learn more about the legislative process, and how you can become an effective advocate for long term care issues. This session presents a “101” on the Arizona legislative process, tips for effective advocacy strategies, and how to’s for advocacy and coalition building. Topics for discussion include “how a bill becomes a law”, “how to access legislation on the internet”, and “how to effectively communicate with your elected officials”. This session will also highlight current public policy issues in long term care. The time is now to get involved --make a difference in the lives of the patients and residents you serve!
Kathleen Collins Pagels is the Executive Director for the Arizona Health Care Association. She received her BS from Central Michigan University and her Masters in Social Work as well as a Specialist in Aging Certification from the University of Michigan. Ms. Pagels is a registered lobbyist with the State of Arizona and has been actively involved in aging and long term care for the past 25 years.
Cheri Tomilson is the Director of Community Relations at the Area Agency on Aging, Region One. The Office of Community Relations is primarily responsible for advocacy, legislative activities, project development and planning. Ms. Tomlinson received her Master of Public Administration from Arizona State University. She has extensive background in Medicaid/Medicare plans, managed care principles, long term care services, health prevention and educational outreach and social services.
Barry Gold is the Executive Director of the Governor's Advisory Council on Aging. He has a varied background in the aging network from different perspectives, including non-profits, government agencies, and for profit entities. He has consulted for organizations including the Alzheimer’s Association, senior centers, HMO’s, residential care facilities, and municipal agencies. He has experience in case management and has been in hundreds of senior’s homes, seeing what their situations are, how programs and services are working. His focus is client based.
Lupe Solis was named AARP’s Arizona Associate State Director for Advocacy in May 2001, after a 28 year career in state government. In this position she plans and guides the work of the statewide volunteer advocacy network. Since joining AARP she has forged a new direction for the group’s legislative efforts and is busy building a network of volunteers committed to fostering AARP’s priorities both in Congress and in the state. Her experience includes service as an advocate for the elderly in the state and developing legislative proposals and strategies to promote measures affecting quality of life for the elderly.
Metaphors and Teambuilding: Building a Team Through Fun and Experiential Education
Rosalind O’Neil, ACC, CTRS, President, O’Neil Concept Group, Inc.
Sy Maher, ADC, Activity Director, Innovative Journeys
In the hectic profession of health care we can lose sight in the shuffle of the importance of every person on our team. This workshop will provide memorable team building, problem solving and leadership development opportunities. Through goal oriented challenges, and follow up discussion, experience is transferred to usable upward spiraling information. This workshop utilizing metaphorical challenges designed to solve problems using experiential education. This is a FUN way to build cohesion in a group.
Roz O’Neil received her BS in Therapeutic Recreation from ASU and has over 17 years experience in Therapeutic Recreation and has consulted and provided registry services to over 50 long term care facilities in Arizona for over 13 years. She is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and Activity Consultant certified. Ms. O’Neil instructs the NCCAP Modular Education Program for Activity Professionals Part 1 and Part 2, and is Adjunct Faculty with Phoenix College in the ASMAT Program.
Sy Maher is a member of the Arizona Association of Activity Professionals and serves on the board as State Recording Secretary. Sy has worked in activities utilizing her skills for diverse populations. She was part of President Clinton’s North Country Community Corp where she was trained to educate multi-generational volunteers in leadership and teambuilding.
An Insider’s View: Insights on How a Bill Becomes a Law
Randall Gnant, Former Arizona Senate President
Consultant
In this not to be missed presentation, former Senate President Randall Gnant takes you behind the scenes of the legislative process, revealing secrets the "insiders" don't want you to know. You'll get his Top 10 list of things to watch for during a legislative session, you'll participate in a short "mock session", and you'll hear tales and stories you won't want to believe. Earn your PhD in political science in just one session from someone who has been behind the scenes, pulling the strings and shaping the outcome of the play.
Senator Gnant served in the Arizona State Senate from 1995-2003, including two years as the President of a Senate composed of 15 Republicans and 15 Democrats. He was the first Senate President in almost 25 years to also have served as the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee. As a freshman he was the driving force behind putting the Arizona Legislature on the Internet. Today ALIS, as it is known, is regularly recognized as the best legislative web site in the nation.
Many of us are familiar with Senator Gnant’s book on how a bill becomes law in Arizona. This book is in its fourth edition and over 24,000 free copies have been made available to Arizona’s citizens. The book is part of higher education curriculums throughout the state. KAET, the ASU public access channel, featured Senator Gnant in a half hour documentary on how the legislature works.
Targeting Tomorrow
Melanie Seamans, Division Director of Marketing
Danielle Imse, Regional Director of Marketing
Life Care Centers of America - Southwest Division
In this session the participant will learn marketing strategies and techniques that will increase census and quality mix. Additionally, the session will highlight the future of marketing in long term care, how customer service impacts your census growth, and how to market during lean times.
Melanie Seamans graduated from Cazenovia College in New York with a degree in Human Services. She has been in long term care for 24 years - as a licensed administrator and serving as the Life Care Centers of America’s Division Director of Marketing for the past 7.5 years. Throughout her career Melanie has been very involved in the Arizona Health Care Association, and has been the recipient of the Administrator of the Year Award and Facility of the Year Award.
Danielle Imse is the Regional Director of Marketing, Life Care Centers of America-Southwest Division. She has worked for Life Care Centers of America for 10 years serving the residents in different areas of long term care, including Certified Nursing Assistant, Unit Secretary, Rehabilitation Technician, and Admissions/ Marketing Director. Danielle attended Northern Arizona University and Arizona State University, majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies with a minor in Gerontology and Business.
Working With Your Medical Director
Luis Gonzales Jr., M.D., FACP
Phoenix Geriatrics & Internal Medicine, P.L.L.C.
AHCA Board of Directors-Medical Director Representative
By asking yourself a few simple questions, you can identify the value of your medical director and identify his or her strengths and weaknesses. This session will identify the key responsibilities of your medical director and assist you in developing a strategy to maximize his or her participation in your facility. Recent issues may affect your facility’s ability to contract a medical director. An update on these issues will be reviewed as well.
Dr. Louis Gonzales Jr. received his BA and MD from the University of Cincinnati in Ohio and completed his residency at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas and holds an Arizona medical license and is Board certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, and Hospice and Palliative Medicine. He is serving his second term as the AHCA Physician/Medical Director Representative. Currently he is Medical Director of Classic Residence by Hyatt, Arizona Eastern Star, Village Green and Odyssey Hospice, and maintains an active private practice.
National Trends & Strategies in the Long Term Care Delivery Reimbursement
John Harned, CPA, NHA, Partner
Lori Brunholtz, CPA, Associate
Christopher Murphy, CPA, Senior Manager
BKD Healthcare Group, LLP
This presentation will address current reimbursement in Medicare and Medicaid across the nation. Additionally, the latest national trends in Long Term Care Medicaid and Medicare Delivery Systems will be covered, such as the partnership program which makes use of long term care insurance as a form of a deductible for Medicaid eligibility. Other issues to be discussed relate to the latest developments on the national legislative front that will affect the long term care provider community.
John C. Harned, CPA, NHA has more than 11 years of experience with Medicare and Medicaid consulting to enhance reimbursement and improve operating efficiencies and profitability. A licensed nursing home administrator, he now devotes all of his time to the nursing home industry. John currently chairs the firm’s long-term care center of excellence committee, which brings new and innovative operational, financial, and reimbursement ideas to the firm’s 1,000 nursing home clients. John is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Oklahoma Society of Certified Public Accountants. He joined BKD after graduating in 1991 from Oklahoma State University, with a BSBA and M.S. in accounting.
Lori Brunholtz, CPA has more than 18 years of experience in health care, providing consulting, reimbursement and audit services to nursing facilities and hospitals in Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri and Nebraska. Her expertise includes Medicare and Medicaid consulting to enhance reimbursement and improve operating efficiencies and profitability. In addition, Lori assists providers with operational analyses, preparation of cost reports, negotiations with intermediaries, accounting and auditing issues, and feasibility studies. Lori is a member of the Healthcare Financial Management Association, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Oklahoma Society of Certified Public Accountants, and Oklahoma Association of Health Care Providers, where she serves on the Rates and Standards committee. She is a 1983 graduate of Wichita State University, Kansas, with a BBA in accounting.
Christopher Murphy, CPA has ten years of experience working with health care providers, including hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and home health agencies, specifically in the nursing home and home health industries. He provides health care providers with financial statement audits, suggestions for internal control and operations improvements, Medicare and Medicaid cost-report preparation and reimbursement, and financial consulting. He assists with internal accounting needs, Medicare reimbursement monitoring, business office operations reviews, and staff instruction on cost evaluation and control. Chris also provides staff training on technology, auditing and accounting, and health care operational and financial issues. Chris is a 1991 graduate of the University of Oklahoma, Norman, with a BBA in accounting and of Oklahoma State University, Stillwater in 1993 with an M.S. in accounting with an auditing and accounting systems emphasis.
Long Term Care Insurance for the 21st Century
Michael Ridley, CLU, CHFC, CLTC, Chartered Financial Consultant
Northern Financial Group
Providing for the long term care needs of America's elderly is one of the great social challenges being faced in the 21st century. Today's changing demographics are creating new social and economic realities for seniors and their children. This seminar examines these changing demographics and provides a comprehensive overview of how today's long term care insurance policies address these needs and assist the nations elderly live out their lives with dignity, independence and financial security.
Michael Ridley has spent the last thirty years in the insurance industry in Flagstaff, AZ. Mr. Ridley owns Northern Financial Group, an Independent Insurance Agency in Flagstaff. He is a Chartered Life Underwriter, Chartered Financial Consultant, and is certified in long term care.
Bio-Touch: A Healthy Complement to Standard Healthcare
Paul Bucky, President/CEO & Co-Founder
International Foundation of Bio-Magnetics
Bio-Touch™ (Bio-Magnetic Touch Healing™) is a simple hands-on healing method that uses light touch on specific points on the body to activate the body's inherent healing ability. Bio-Touch™ takes no special state of consciousness or gift to employ and is easily learned and effectively used by anyone to assist another with health problems. Research in conjunction with the University of Arizona and University of Texas Health Center at Tyler, Texas has proven Bio-Touch™ to be effective for pain and stress reduction, blood pressure, and fosters a sense of personal well-being. Bio-Touch™ can be used as a complement to conventional and alternative healthcare practices.
Paul Bucky is the co-founder and President/CEO of the International Foundation of Bio-Magnetics, a non-profit, tax-exempt educational foundation dedicated to teaching and ministering Bio-Touch™ (Bio-Magnetic Touch Healing™). The Foundation operates centers in Honolulu, Hawaii; Tucson, Arizona; Belo Horizante, Brazil and coordinates a network of practitioners throughout the United States and internationally.
Because many professional healthcare providers have sought Bio-Touch™ as an enhancement to their professional practices, Mr. Bucky has been invited to present Bio-Touch™ to physicians, nurses, occupational and physical therapists, acupuncturists, chiropractors and healthcare educators. Mr. Bucky has presented for senior programs, college and elementary students, health fairs, cultural heritage events and many community programs.
Leveraging Your Education Budget & Staff Through the Use of eLearning
Judy Hoff, RN, BSN, MA, CEO
HDD, Inc.
This presentation will provide an introduction to eLearning as an educational alternative in the senior care industry. eLearning systems are delivered via the internet and are self-paced, so they allow learners to take coursework - such as mandatory training or new hire orientation - at a time and place that is convenient. eLearning can absorb much of the burden of developing courses, putting on training seminars, and tracking learning activity of each staff member. This allows educators to focus on more important issues, such as mentoring individuals, handling quality control responsibility and compliance issues.
Judy Hoff, RN, BSN, MA is currently the CEO of HDD. She served as head nurse in CCU at Metropolitan Medical Center in Minneapolis and was Director of Education at St. Francis Regional Medical Center where her experience included assessing, planning and developing the training curriculum for a 450 member workforce, 70 physicians, 100 businesses and the community at large servicing 15,000 participants annually. Judy has an MA in Human and Health Service Administration from St. Mary’s in Minnesota, a BSN from Mankato State University, and an RN from Swedish Hospital School of Nursing.
Defining the Context for Long Term Care Services: Where We Are & Where We’re Headed
Reed Tuckson, MD
United Health Group, Minnesota
In this session, Dr. Tuckson will describe the major forces that are shaping the health care landscape in general, and long term care in particular. He will also discuss the growing needs and expectations for long term care service delivery. Dr. Tuckson will describe some of the innovations that are occurring in our field that will be relevant to your work, and he will challenge all of us to continue to work with diligence and creativity on behalf of our residents.
Dr. Reed Tuckson joined UnitedHealth Group in November of 2000 as Senior Vice President of Consumer Health and Medical Care Advancement, where he works with all business groups to create new healthcare systems, enhance patient-physician relationships, improve medical care quality, and assist individuals in maximizing their health. A graduate of Howard University and the Georgetown University School of Medicine, Dr. Tuckson trained as an intern, resident and fellow in General Internal Medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. A Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholar of the University of Pennsylvania, he also studied Health Care Administration and Policy at the Wharton School of Business and was active in ambulatory, student health, prevention and geriatric clinical care settings. Prior to joining UnitedHealth Group, Dr. Tuckson served as Senior Vice President, Professional Standards, for the American Medical Association (AMA). Dr. Tuckson has written and spoken extensively on topics concerned with Community Health; Disparities in Health Status; Quality and Performance Measurement; and Leadership, Professionalism and the Duty of Physicians.
Falls and Fall Risk: A Clinical Practice Guideline Perspective
Scott Bolhack, MD, CEO / President
Tucson Long Term Care Medical Group / Bolhack Medical Consulting Group
Shirley Grant, LPN, Administrative Assistant
Tucson Long Term Care Medical Group
Falls are a significant cause of injury and hospitalization for the residents in long term care facilities and have become a target for litigation. As care providers in these settings, we have been told that “residents have the right to fall”. While we work toward residents being restraint free, we must carefully identify residents at risk for falls and implement programs to assist in their safety. The American Medical Directors Association has developed a Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) to address this issue. The CPG contains a wealth of information, but is lengthy and inconvenient to use by time-challenged nurses. A comprehensive review of this guideline has inspired us to develop tools to utilize the wisdom and expertise expressed in this resource. Our desire is to share these tools, thereby enhancing the quality of care and documentation for long term care residents.
Dr. Scott Bolhack has been involved in nursing homes for the past eight years in Tucson and is a certified medical director (CMD) for several skilled nursing facilities. He is the founder of Tucson Long Term Care Medical Group, Inc., a professional provider group that sees patients in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, adult care homes and in private homes throughout Tucson and Green Valley. Dr. Bolhack has spoken nationally on the topic of sub acute care at the American Medical Directors Association (AMDA) and is board certified in Internal Medicine, Pediatrics and in Hospice and Palliative Care medicine.
Shirley Grant, LPN has worked in a variety of health care settings and has experience in long term care nursing. She has worked diligently to assist in the creation of the resident assessment process tools.
Elder Abuse and Alternatives to Guardianship
Dawn Savattone, MSW, Ombudsman/AGP Coordinator
Area Agency on Aging, Region One
Deborah Primock, MA, Judicial Administrator
Maricopa County Superior Court
Long term care facilities are often presented with problems related to residents with diminished capacity, and without Power’s of Attorney. Referrals to the Public Fiduciary are often made regarding a resident’s need for a medical decision maker, access to funds and benefits, or protection from financial exploitation. In many instances, guardianship may be inappropriate or difficult to facilitate. The Alternative to Guardianship program frequently assists staff in accessing timely and less restrictive solutions.
Dawn Savattone, MSW is an Ombudsman Specialist and Coordinator of the Alternative to Guardianship Program. She received her MSW and Certificate in Gerontology from Arizona State University. Ms. Savattone is a member of the Maricopa Elder Abuse Prevention Alliance and a board member of the Direct Care Alliance.
Deborah Primock, MA is a Judicial Administrator for the Probate/Mental Health Department of the Maricopa County Superior Court. In addition to her oversight responsibilities for the Probate Court Accountants, Court Investigators and Case Processing staff, she also serves as Director of the Guardianship Review Program. Her community work includes active participation in the Maricopa Elder Abuse Prevention Alliance (MEAPA) and serving as a Court liaison with social service agencies. She assisted in the development and implementation of the Probate Mediation Program and ElderGap Program.
Enhancing the Dining Experience
Anna de Jesus, RD, MDA, President/Owner
Nutrition Alliance
We eat not just to survive, but also to enjoy the pleasures that the dining experience brings. Enhancing the dining process increases resident satisfaction and improves the quality of life. In this session, you will learn various techniques to improve the dining experience through plate presentations, dessert designs, as well as enjoying a live cooking demonstration. Also discussed will be the cost implications of creating a fine dining program.
Anna de Jesus is the President/Owner of Nutrition Alliance, LLC whose clients include senior living communities, school food service as well as businesses and industry. Anna obtained her BA in Nutrition from the University of the Philippines, completed her Dietetic Internship at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, and received her MS in Business Administration from Keller Graduate School of Management, where she graduated with distinction. With over 20 years of experience, she has worked as Food Service Director, Director of Hospitality Services, Regional Dietitian, and Territory Manager for HPSI.
Power to the People: Retaining Staff by Empowering Caregivers
Sandeep Randawa, Division Director of People Development
Life Care Centers of America-Southwest Division
This session will highlight practical measures managers can employ to increase job ownership by empowering their staff. Discussion topics will include areas of training and development, decision making, project teams, individual and peer recognition, and job satisfaction. Group discussion will be encouraged, culminating in some tangible ideas to take back to your work environment.
Sandeep Randhawa joined Life Care Centers of America in August of 2000 as the Regional Director of Human Resources. His background includes healthcare and retail, with expertise in recruitment/retention, management, planning/development, associate relation, training, employment law and selection. Sandeep earned his MS from Westchester University in Pennsylvania, and began his career as a recruiter for HEALTHSOUTH.
Meaningful Activities for People with Dementia
Activity Coordinators: Lisa Corradine, Sueann Engle, Linda Cervantes
Encore Senior Living
The REDISCOVERY™ Program is the dementia program offered at Encore Senior Living and promotes activities that help the person with dementia connect with themselves and others by creating a feeling of self-worth and belonging. This presentation will demonstrate how people with all levels of dementia can participate in meaningful activities, the importance of educating families of those with dementia regarding activities and effective communication, why personal care is considered an activity, and the importance of motivation and effective presentation of activities for people with dementia.
Sueann Engle has been the Activity Coordinator at Encore Senior Village in Tucson since October 2001. Previously she worked as a private duty caregiver for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. She also facilitates the Alzheimer’s support group for the family members of the Tucson Encore residents. Sueann is coordinating the craft and bake sale for the Tucson Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk this October.
Lisa Corradine has been the Activity Coordinator of Encore Senior Village at Paradise Valley for two years. She has worked in the Long Term Care field for twenty years. Lisa received her CNA in 1984 and her Activity Director Certification from California in 1987. For the past eight years she has been an active member of the Arizona Association of Activity Professionals.
Linda Cervantes has been employed with Encore Senior Living for five years. She started her career as a Certified Caregiver. For the past three years she has held the position of Activity Coordinator sharing her positive energy to promote pleasurable, failure free activities to the residents residing at Encore Senior Village at Mesa.
Health Care Decisions
Gillian Hamilton, MD, PhD, Co-Director of Health Care Decisions
Administrative Medical Director of Hospice of the Valley
Individuals enter our healthcare system unprepared for the issues they will face. They have not planned ahead and have not completed an Advance Directive. Their families are frightened. The physicians are frustrated. The confusion over the patient’s healthcare choices can lead to poor coordination and ineffective treatment. How can we help our patients and their families discuss healthcare preferences in advance? Incorporating videos of real families struggling with difficult decisions, this interactive presentation provides the information needed by healthcare providers to facilitate effective patient / family decision making. Legal and ethical questions are addressed and sample Advance Directive forms are provided to participants.
Dr. Gilliam Hamilton is an internist and geriatrician with special interest and training in geriatrics, palliative medicine, and long term care. She is on the faculty of the University of Arizona College of Medicine, teaching geriatrics and palliative medicine. In her role as Administrative Medical Director for Hospice of the Valley, one of the five largest hospices in the country, she is responsible for educating staff and physicians in palliative care. She is Co-Director of the new Health Care Decisions, a program of Hospice of the Valley dedicated to developing and supporting advance care decisions for all. She is also Medical Director for the $4.5 million Medicare Coordinated Care Demonstration project for chronically ill elderly, and of the Alzheimer’s Association’s “Providing Palliative Care to Persons with Severe Dementia” project.
Spirituality in the Long Term Care Setting
Rabbi Marty Scharf, Kivel Care Center
Father William Fitzgerald, Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Reverend Tom Davidson, All Saints Episcopal Church
The primary focus of this presentation will be the very personal spiritual journey that many long term care residents face, and what we as caregivers can do to aid their search for meaning. This session will explore the similarities and differences in spirituality among residents in long term care settings. The presenters represent the three major religious traditions predominant among the vast majority of residents: Jewish, Catholic and Protestant traditions.
Rabbi Martin S. Scharf received his ordination from Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, Ohio. After serving for 18 years as a congregational Rabbi, he now serves as Chaplain at Kivel Campus of Care in Phoenix. Rabbi Scharf is the community chaplain for non-affiliated Jewish people in the Phoenix area, and chairs the Professional Committee on Consultation for the Pastoral Care Department at Good Samaritan Medical Center in Phoenix. Currently he co-facilitates a support group that emphasizes ways to care for your aging loved ones, and is a Certified Bereavement Facilitator.
Father William Fitzgerald is a retired Catholic Priest from the Archdiocese of Omaha, and is the author of nine books which all have a Creation Spirituality flavor. Previously, he was both a rural and city pastor in Omaha where he formed a collaborative pastoral team and set as a priority enabling the gifts of laity so they might minister to the sick and homebound. Recently he has conducted retreats and days of recollection at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale.
The Reverend Thomas Walter Davidson came to All Saints' Episcopal Church in 1988 where he continues to direct the Older Adult Ministry Program. This ministry includes senior travel adventures, monthly luncheons and programs, bible discussion classes, and representation of aging concerns within the parish community. Reverend Davidson is a member of the Board of Trustees for Episcopal Community Services, chairing the Older Adult Council which speaks to the needs of seniors throughout the Diocese. Concurrently, Reverend Davidson conducts a class on spirituality in aging, which is a component of a Healthy Aging course at Phoenix College.
Bathing Without a Battle
Jan Dougherty, RN, MS, Special Projects Manager
Alzheimer’s Association
Providing personal care, particularly bathing, persons with dementia can be a challenge for both family and professional caregivers. We often see difficult behaviors occur during the bath or show as the person with dementia will fight, kick, scream, bite, and/or swear. We have classified this behavior as “resistive to care” when, in fact, the person is trying to tell the caregiver “no, please don’t do this to me” and with the caregiver’s persistence has no other choice than to put up a fight. So, how can we get the person clean? This workshop will explore a variety of methods to get the person with dementia clean as well as address many of the regulatory concerns expressed by clinical and administrative staff.
Jan Dougherty, RN, MS, received her BSN from Valparaiso University and her MS in Gerontological nursing from the University of Arizona. She is the Special Projects Manager for the Alzheimer’s Association, Desert Southwest Chapter and has developed and implemented the “Best Practice Dementia Care” program and serves as the project director for two palliative care grants.
Dietary Trends in Long Term Care
Linda Crandall, President
Crandall & Associates
Come discover what’s happening nationwide in the best and worst long term care dietary departments. Several new trends are beginning to take center stage, including a greater emphasis on monetary fines, more immediate jeopardies, and the biggest threat - dietary records are now being dragged into court. In this session, Linda will share with you her experiences from numerous expert witness testimonies, as well as those experiences gained from her staff of over 200 dietitians and 450 facilities from around the country. Find out how to be prepared, and what systems are in place in the good, better, and best long term dietary departments across the nation.
Linda Crandall received her BS from Arizona State University and did her dietetic internship at Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. In 1966 she founded Crandall & Associates, which is now the largest consulting dietitian firm in the United States, with over 450 clients. Among her many achievements, she has developed long term care systems and policies for dietary management used at 400+ facilities in the United States, developed a quantitative audit system that enables facilities to be benchmarked in dietary services, and developed a menu system that is used nationwide by over 250 nursing facilities.
Making Assisted Living Work: Innovative Ideas from Around the Country
Robert Frechette, Administrator
Brighton Gardens-Sun City
AHCA Board of Directors-Assisted Living Vice President
During this session, Bob will bring ideas from different geographical areas and a variety of companies which will show what is working. An open discussion about the latest issues and regulations affecting assisted living centers will also be a part of this session.
Bob Frechette has been a licensed nursing home administrator since 1981. He has worked for several different facilities throughout Arizona and is also licensed as an assisted living manager. He currently serves on the Arizona Health Care Association Board of Directors as the Vice President of Assisted Living.
Designing an Activities Program That Attracts Participants
Sam Nanez, Activities Director/Reflections Program Director
Desert Life Rehabilitation & Care Center
2002 AHCA Activities Professional of the Year Award
This workshop will demonstrate how to develop and encourage participants in multilevel programs such as independent senior residents as well as the 18-55 year old residents, Hispanic, Native American, and Asian, incorporating programs with the facility and the community, as well as allowing residents to make their own choices.
Sam Nanez received his certification in Therapeutic Recreation from Northern Arizona University and continues on-going classes at the University of Arizona and Pima College. He was the “brain child” of the “Golden Games”, a Senior Olympics program founded in 1981 for seniors in the Tucson area, and assisted in developing the first Alzheimer’s program in the State of Arizona. Sam currently manages the Reflections Program and Activities Department for Desert Life Care and Rehab, and has maintained a deficiency free department for the last 23 years.
Collection Issues and ALTCS
Richard White, Elder Law Attorney
Jackson White, Attorneys at Law
What happens when an ALTCS pending resident is denied benefits? How is the nursing facility paid? What happens when the share-of-costs are not paid in a timely manner, or not at all? Nursing homes are faced with collection issues everyday. It is costly to pursue collection proceedings, yet the loss to the nursing home is significant. Elder Law Attorney Richard White will explain how the ALTCS program works, the eligibility process, and preventative strategies to minimize nursing home financial losses.
Richard White is a shareholder of the law firm of Jackson White. His primary area of practice is in Elder Law assisting the senior members of the community with issues of concern unique to them, including health care issues and elder abuse and exploitation issues. Richard earned his undergraduate degree from California State University at Fullerton and attended J. Reuben Clark Law School, Brigham Young University, where he earned his Juris Doctorate in 1981. He is a member of the Medicaid Planning Council, Governor’s Advisory Council on Aging, and the Area Agency on Aging’s Maricopa Elder Abuse Prevention Alliance (MEAPA).