November 19-21, 2024

Sessions

Enrich your career with shared learning, inspiration, and exploration of new innovations and best practices in wellness.

 

7:00 a.m.–7:30 a.m.

Wake up with Wellness

Prepare yourself for the day with an energizing session of interactive activities (physical, cognitive, spiritual).

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7:45 a.m.–8:45 a.m.

MIND Your Health: A new approach to fitness and wellnessChelsea Blanding & Kimberly Huff

Neuroscience recognizes that movement and cognition are closely intertwined. The MIND (move, intellect, nourish, discover) Your Health program recognizes that relationship, and encourages older adults to remain active and engaged by promoting movement and brain health. Learn techniques for applying principles similar to those included in the Montessori Inspired Lifestyle program to fitness and wellness programming that supports independence and personal control. Discuss key components of person-centered care and how to engage residents, resulting in improved quality of life and meaningful contributions to communities.

You’ll be able to:

  • Identify the components of MIND Your Health and discuss how it can enhance fitness and wellness programming in a variety of settings.
  • Recall principles similar to those in the Montessori Inspired Living program and apply them to fitness and wellness programming for older adults.
  • Incorporate key components of person-centered living strategies to engage older adults.

Faculty: Chelsea Blanding, MS, CPT, Fitness Director, Plantation Estates; and Kimberly Huff, MS, CSCS, Director of Fitness and Wellness, Acts Retirement-Life Communities.
CEUs

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Putting the sexy in senior center: Creating daring and innovative programmingNicolette Hume

Learn how to “destigmatize” your senior community centers with programming that is impactful, engaging and innovative for the new wave of older adults. Rethink how your organization may be stereotyping today’s older adult by scheduling “age appropriate” activities, and find out about the creation of the national award-winning health and wellness program, “The Living Well Talk Series.” Learn strategies to attract more participants, improve your marketing methods and develop partnerships with local health organizations, and discover how reinvigorating your programming can increase your revenue.

You’ll be able to:

  • Identify where centers are underserving their community with “stereotypical” senior programming and develop strategies to improve.
  • Discuss this new generation of older adults and what drives them.
  • Create successful programming with boldness that reaches a greater audience and better serves the community.

Faculty: Nicolette Hume, BS, Community Engagement Coordinator, Lake Oswego Adult Community Center.
CEUs

Everyone deserves to live well: Delivering wellness in dementia careCynthia Green, Stacey Judge & Nancy Anzelmo

Research shows wellness engagement can disrupt the dementia experience, even potentially slowing decline, by improving quality of life. Listen to experts as they share their expertise in the research, development and delivery of cutting-edge initiatives that address the physical, cognitive and socioemotional aspects of well-being for persons living with dementia. Learn through demonstration exercises and case studies from both residential and community settings. Master the key characteristics for health promotion programs and take away tools to better extend the reach of wellness initiatives to this population.

You’ll be able to:

  • Describe the scientific rationale for wellness initiatives in dementia care.
  • Identify actionable ways to bring wellness programming across the physical, intellectual and socioemotional dimensions of well-being, including innovative programs such as equine therapy.
  • Develop, evaluate and implement wellness programming for people living with dementia.

Faculty: Cynthia Green, PhD, President, Total Brain Health/TBH Brands, LLC; Stacey Judge, BS, CG, Wellness Program Director, Springpoint; and Nancy Anzelmo, MS, Principal, Alzheimer’s Care Associates, LLC/Connected Horse.
CEUs

Get physically fit anytime and anywhere with “Fit in Fitness”Lisa Kiely

“Fit in Fitness” on the go is for people of all ages and abilities. Although most people recognize the benefits of fitness, only 3.5% of the population follows national guidelines of exercising for 150 minutes per week. In order for young older adults to embrace and engage in a regular fitness routine, it needs to be anything but routine. Discuss the philosophy of moving intentionally and observe a 20-minute demonstration that shows how “Fit in Fitness” can be done in the gym, at home, while traveling, outdoors, or in a community setting.

You’ll be able to:

  • Articulate the importance of exercise for functional health and how people can accomplish fitness goals without stepping into gyms.
  • Demonstrate how to get fit in 1-, 5-, 10-, 15-, 20- and 30-minute segments of exercise without cumbersome equipment or gym fees.
  • Utilize “Fit in Fitness” in any location or setting.

Faculty: Lisa Kiely, BFA, CPT, CAD, CEHA, Associate Executive Director, Cowart Family YMCA.
CEUs

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Aging with growth, wisdom, knowledge: Two programs build communityJanet Hollander

Build on Chip Conley’s Making of a Modern Elder concept to foster an exchange of knowledge and wisdom between cohorts and generations. Explore two programs that encourage a sharing of life experience and information within a community of retirees, fostering growth; emotional, cognitive, social, spiritual and vocational expression; and cultivating feelings of appreciation, wisdom, pride and clarity. In an Aging with Growth discussion group, older adults tap their life experience and career wisdom for each other’s benefit. In the second program, residents lead a multifaceted project involving community polling, research and sharing information gathered. Explore how both groups work and how to tailor the concept.

You’ll be able to:

  • Take away outlines and resource lists that will allow you to create a similar group or meeting.
  • Encourage your community to use and promote positive ideas and language aimed toward new learning as well as appreciating life experience.
  • Test the process in small groups with sample discussion questions to draw out different aspects of wisdom, such as getting through a difficult time, career expertise and family strengths.

Faculty: Janet Hollander, BA, Owner, Moving Toward Health.
CEUs

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Bands, balls and barre. Oh, my!Jackie Halbin

Create a barre class using balls and different types of bands in your class programming. Barre classes incorporate elements of ballet, strength training, yoga and pilates. This low-impact workout strengthens the body’s core, improves hip mobility and enhances balance, posture and flexibility—all key areas for functional abilities. Barre programming benefits your clients and your staff.

You’ll be able to:

  • Incorporate elements of a barre class into existing programming.
  • Create an entire barre class.
  • Recall cues to improve your client’s posture and form during a workout.

Faculty: Jackie Halbin, BS, CPT, Living Well Manger, Lakeview Village.
CEUs

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The 12-minute solution: Four fast-paced presentations

Smart aging: The future of resident engagement and wellness technology
Faculty: Josh Studzinski, Vice President of Marketing, Caremerge

Keeping seniors connected with what matters most in their lives
Faculty: Tracie Konigsbauer, National CapTel Field Marketing Programs Manager, Hamilton CapTel

SITT: Test. Train. Track.
Faculty: Carmen Fox, NuStep Product Marketing Manager

Enhancing outcomes and income with targeted medical nutrition
Faculty: Dean Sbragia, President, Medical Fitness Solutions

Conductorcise, music, motion and joy: The great disruptorDavid Dworkin

Motion: Disrupts the complacency of many aging residents in a positive way. Music: Everyone learns to listen not only to the complexities of world music, but to the words that one speaks to another in everyday life. Joy: Tears of laughter and joy can dispel the disruption of sorrow and challenges we all face in aging.

You’ll be able to:

  • Practice conducting patterns that residents on all levels of health can achieve.
  • Listen in a way that stimulates the brain and hear more from the music, becoming better listeners not only of music but also of other people.
  • Discuss the meaning and importance of laughter and how it invades every part of the body and brain.

Faculty: David Dworkin, MA, MEd, President and Creator, Conductorcise.
CEUs

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Baselines, basics and benchmarks: Think and train so you can!Pat VanGalen

Active-aging professionals are in motion with a mission, fortifying all the pillars of resilience and durability for the long haul. Basic training systems are raising the bar, and benchmarks and goalposts have shifted to all-time highs for older adults. Join this session for a “disruptive” update on the latest and greatest in nurturing neuroplasticity grounded in movement science. It’s mindset-makeover time, an opportunity to rewire, reboot and re-infuse the movement pillar of health and well-being, so that we not only bend the aging curve, but also add life, hope and purpose to all the lives we touch.

You’ll be able to:

  • Connect the movement pillar of resilience and durability and institute daily practices, habits and patterns that nurture neuroplasticity and perpetuate learning, growth and discovery.
  • Update and upgrade all movement programming, referral networks and resources that can augment the lives of residents, clients and members.
  • Infuse new and more effective “threads” of energy into communities, facilities and families to foster durability, resilience, health and well-being.

Faculty: Pat VanGalen, MS, Owner, Active & Agile, Maximizing Mobility Through the Ages™.
CEUs

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9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m.

ICAA GENERAL SESSION
Aging well: navigating the “next normal”Colin Milner

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is challenging every aspect of our society. While we do not know what our “next normal” will be, we do know that how we respond to this crisis today could help us move forward and prepare to navigate whatever “normal” becomes. If ever there was a time to focus on optimizing the health and wellness of residents, members and staff in all settings, it is now. To do so, we must redouble our efforts to provide supportive environments. Whether the goal is to build people’s resilience and immune systems or to ensure they get the most out of life, whether in the real and/or virtual world, we must grapple with the question, What’s next for aging well? Join ICAA’s Colin Milner, founder, CEO and active-aging thought-leader, as he delves into areas such as technology, wellness, the built environment and outreach strategies in this stimulating session.

Faculty: Colin Milner, Founder and CEO, International Council on Active Aging.
CEUs

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10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

ICAA VIRTUAL EXPO

Discover new technologies, equipment and services to support multidimensional wellness from providers committed to meeting the industry’s needs. View demonstrations and ask exhibitors questions in this live virtual session. Enjoy “real world”-type interaction and make purchasing decisions from the comfort and safety of your home or office.

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12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.

Using emotional intelligence to deal with difficult peopleLinda Sasser

People who are difficult make interactions in the workplace challenging, create stress and arouse strong negative emotions. Stress affects neurons in the hippocampus, a brain area responsible for reasoning and memory. Because of neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to change and form new pathways/connections in response to stimuli), learning and practicing emotionally intelligent responses to difficult people trains your brain to handle stress more effectively, control what you can and adapt to what you can’t. This ability to manage emotions and remain calm under pressure can positively impact your work performance.

You’ll be able to:

  • Define emotional intelligence and explain its components.
  • Identify types of difficult people.
  • Apply emotionally intelligent behavioral strategies for dealing with difficult people.

Faculty: Linda Sasser, PhD, Owner, Brain and Memory Health.
CEUs

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LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
Preparing residents to live “in community.” Managing emotional residueKay Van Norman

What is your community doing to help prepare residents to live “in community”? Explore how every interaction with others leaves an emotional residue—positive, neutral or negative—that has the power to uplift or diminish well-being for all parties. Discuss what actions, words and body language are likely to leave a positive or negative residue. Explore strategies to help residents and staff embrace personal responsibility for what they project to others in the community, which directly impacts the ability to create a culture of well-being. Discuss how to create staff and resident education to help individuals effectively navigate interactions with difficult personalities.

You’ll be able to:

  • Examine specifically what your community is doing to help prepare residents to live “in community.”
  • Describe “emotional residue” and how it impacts a culture of well-being.
  • Discuss ways to help staff and residents integrate this concept when dealing with difficult personalities.

Faculty: Kay Van Norman, MS, President, Brilliant Aging.
CEUs

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LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
Learned secrets around a resident engagement software RFP processSara Kyle & Mary Miller

Listen to two industry thought-leaders share their firsthand experience at large organizations leading the RFP (request for proposal) process to select an enterprise-wide software solution for resident engagement. Learn from their combined efforts to clarify the experiences that would enrich people’s lives and identify the technology to create those experiences. Efforts included listening to feedback from stakeholder groups, prioritizing requirements, evaluating potential new solutions partners, and creating implementation and measurable adoption plans to build scale and impact.

You’ll be able to:

  • Discover the potential to create value by adopting an enterprise-wide resident engagement platform.
  • Recognize what to look for to determine if the solution provider’s vision aligns with your company’s strategy.
  • Restate how the RFP process was tailored to drive collaboration on how to improve community experiences and growth rather than simply learn about product features. Apply practical suggestions that will help simplify the RFP process and proactively address potential internal misalignment during deployment.

Faculty: Sara Kyle, PhD, Principal, LE3–Life Elevated 3; and Mary Miller, MBA, Independent Consultant.
CEUs

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Creative Storytelling for all agesJennifer Rawlings & Norah Swiney

Creativity lives in everyone and can increase wellness at any age; it is also good for all levels of cognition. Specifically, Creative Storytelling and drama therapy are being implemented in communities, with both residents and students reaping benefits. Creative Storytelling replaces the pressure to remember with the freedom to imagine. People can challenge their minds and find meaning and purpose. Discover research on the impact of creative arts for older adults, explore strategy put in place to implement and make the program effective, gain options for intergenerational creative arts practices, and experience a Creative Storytelling session.

You’ll be able to:

  • Cite examples of evidence-based creative arts practices for older adults.
  • Discuss some of the many options available for creative arts programming.
  • Express the power of creative activity through experience.

Faculty: Jennifer Rawlings, BS, Vice President of Wellness, Oklahoma Methodist Manor.; and Norah Swiney, MFA, Assistant Professor, Oral Roberts University.
CEUs

Simple environmental design solutions to support sleep for healthy agingRegina Vaicekonyte & Carolyn Swope

Older adults are more likely to experience poor sleep, which can significantly affect health and well-being. Emerging research reveals the role of the built environment in supporting or preventing quality sleep and offers an exciting opportunity for health promotion. Review a range of specific environmental factors that have been shown to affect sleep, such as light exposure at night and bedroom temperatures. Focus on implementable solutions that are tailored to older adults’ social and physiological needs. Explore the business case for senior living communities to justify investing in built environments and features that not only support sleep, but ultimately benefit the bottom line, too.

You’ll be able to:

  • Identify key environmental factors affecting older adults’ sleep.
  • Suggest potential solutions to make residential environments more conducive to sleep for older adults.
  • Articulate the business case to invest in a sleep-supportive environment.

Faculty: Regina Vaicekonyte, MS, WELL AP, Vice President of Health Sciences, Delos Labs, Delos; and Carolyn Swope, MPH, WELL AP, PhD student, Columbia University.
CEUs

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How to successfully design your group fitness sessionsCindy Kozacek

Design a fun, safe and effective group fitness class for older adults. Learn the important components to attract active older adults to your fitness classes, including music, selection of safe and functionally effective exercises, and choreography techniques to help participants succeed in and enjoy your class.

You’ll be able to:

  • Select specific exercises with activities of daily living in mind, while improving strength, endurance, flexibility and balance.
  • Identify contraindicated movements that are specific to older adults, while organizing choreography to provide safe and effective sessions.
  • Select music that is appropriate for classes, considering movement speed, style and volume, and use the music phrasing to guide cueing and smooth transitions, while reducing fall risk.

Faculty: Cindy Kozacek, ACE, AFAA, Senior Fitness Programs Consultant and Educator, CK Fitness.
CEUs

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The 12-minute solution: Four fast-paced presentations

Utilizing outpatient therapy and wellness to drive operational and clinical health of an organization
Faculty: Brian Boekhout, Vice President of Wellness Services and Cindy Kasson, Vice President of Outpatient Services

Improving wellness participation by increasing engagement and socialization
Faculty: Megan Goniprow, Global Account Manager, CyberCycle

Unlock the key to successful population health management
Faculty: Robb McGuffin, CEO, HUR USA

#ActivtiesStrong - The state of resident engagement in the Covid-19 world
Faculty: Charles de Vilmorin, CEO, Linked Senior Inc

Plyometric exercises: Not just for athletes, but older adults tooAaron Aslakson

Learn the components of plyometric exercise and how it can impact the changes associated with the structure and function of skeletal muscle in older adults. Try upper-body, lower-body and core plyometric exercises that are appropriate for older adults. Gain an understanding of how to implement this type of training as a part of a fitness program. Discuss how to modify plyometric exercises to ensure safety and proper progression for participants at varying activity and ability levels.

You’ll be able to:

  • State the physiological basis of plyometric exercises and how they can offset age-related changes to skeletal muscle and improve functional capacity in older adults.
  • Implement upper-body, lower-body and core plyometric exercises into training programs for older adults.
  • Modify plyometric exercises for varying ability levels to ensure safety and proper progression for older adults.

Faculty: Aaron Aslakson, MA, CSCS, EP-C, CPT, Director of Fitness Centers, Walker Methodist.
CEUs

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Alive with Music: Community music outreach programMary Knysh

A joyful and fun participatory program for older adults, “Alive with Music” promotes drumming and music-making to enhance social and emotional wellness and build intergenerational communities. Older adults are trained and mentored to lead engaging, brain-based music activities in senior community centers and senior care settings. Learn how to start a program and explore simple, accessible and fun rhythmic activities designed to address the key factors for aging well: a strong connection to community, healthy social relationships and positive self-regard. This interactive and engaging session will feature music-making with percussion, melodic instruments and voice. No prior experience necessary.

You’ll be able to:

  • Begin a music outreach program designed to meet the needs of older adults and your unique community. Make simple instruments for community music-making sessions.
  • Facilitate fun and accessible rhythmic activities that can engage even those with no prior musical experience. These activities are designed for stress relief, relaxation and cross-midline brain engagement.
  • Teach older adults three improvisational music activities that promote nonverbal communications, adaptability, increased self-expression and group connection.

Faculty: Mary Knysh, Founder, Rhythmic Connections; Program Director, Music for People; professional musician and international author.
CEUs

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PANEL The BIG pivot!Tony de Leede, Jack York, Carrie Shaw & Colin Milner (moderator)

COVID-19 is eroding active-aging organizations’ brand promise of a quality-filled lifestyle. Social isolation, loneliness, loss of functional abilities, mental and cognitive challenges, rising addictions and other issues are now widespread challenges themselves. These unprecedented times are challenging organizations to find new and long-lasting solutions to address these issues, while keeping residents and members safe. The mainframe of this pivot is "engagement technology." Whether forming connections, keeping residents and members cognitively and physically challenged, or providing entertainment and meaningful activities, technology is at the forefront of this big pivot.

You’ll be able to:

  • Discuss how to halt the erosion of the active-aging organization’s brand promise.
  • Recall how virtual reality and engagement technologies are shifting business models.
  • Review technology-based strategies to counter the challenges of COVID-19.

Faculty: Tony de Leede, CEO, Wellness Solutions; Jack York, President, iN2L; and Carrie Shaw, CEO and Founder, Embodied Labs; and Colin Milner (moderator), CEO, International Council on Active Aging.

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1:15 p.m.–2:00 p.m.

IDEA EXCHANGE AND/OR EXCLUSIVE EXHIBITOR CONSULTATIONS

Join your colleagues for idea-sharing sessions on how you have pivoted to address our new reality in “Idea Rooms,” a great way to take advantage of the one-to-one exchanges that are a primary benefit of a conference. Enter the room featuring the topic that interests you and share your own knowledge and experiences at the same time you learn from peers. Meet new people in an informal setting, relay your experiences and come away with lots of ideas to implement in the weeks to come. Topics to be determined.

You can also use this time for a free one-on-one consultation with your chosen exhibitors. Bring your blueprint or floor plan, product requirements and purchasing needs to discuss with these experts.

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