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. PT (Pacific Time)

Session 1: Wake up with wellness: Resetting our well-being using BREATH

Join one of our Advisory Board Members, Lawrence Biscontini, MA, as virtual host of our morning “Wake Up to Wellness” starts to each day of our virtual event with a different view of our theme of wellness as a reset. Each morning session will set the tone for each day and explore how we can RESET both our understanding of aging as well as the process of aging.

Faculty: Faculty: Lawrence Biscontini, MA, Founder, FG2000

Session 2: Wake up with wellness: Start your day with a song in your heart and love of life

Stimulate your body and brain by moving like a Symphonic Conductor. Bring JOY and SMILES to your entire being, and leave the session with new found energy that will catapult you through and amazing day with the ICAA.

Faculty: David Dworkin, CEO, Conductorcise.

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7:35 a.m.-7:40 a.m. PT (Pacific Time)

Welcome to ICAA Virtual Conference, Leadership Summit and Expo 2021.

Presenter TBA

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7:45 a.m.–8:45 a.m. PT (Pacific Time)

WellTech: Resetting wellness and lifestylesGinna Baik, Jessica Longly, Chris Brickler

COVID-19 rapidly advanced the use of health and wellness technologies. As we look to resetting wellness to support a hybrid or blended model, what technologies and content will be needed? Explore wearables, robotics, voice activated technologies, and virtual and augmented realities as a few of the many “WellTech” solutions available to supporting a wellness lifestyle.

You’ll be able to:

  • Understand the benefits and drawbacks of technologies, such as reskilling.
  • Create a strategy for resetting your wellness and lifestyle solutions.
  • Plan, create and deliver a comprehensive hybrid model.

Faculty: Ginna Baik, Senior Business Development Manager, Alexa Smart Properties, Amazon; Jessica Longly, Business Development Strategist, CDW – Healthcare; & Chris Brickler, CEO, MyndVR.
CEUs

Rephrasing language to improve relationship centered interactionsCatherine Braxton

Utilizing the rule of improv, “Make Your Partner Look Good,” learn the power of language to create positive, intentional connections within your community. Take a dive into psycholinguistics and learn how to rephrase shame producing interactions with more dignified communications with loved ones as well as partners, creating a more rounded approach to relationship centered interactions.

You’ll be able to:

  • Gain a deeper understanding of the powerful ways in which language influences our attitudes and behaviors toward ourselves and others.
  • Learn how the “Make Your Partner Look Good” technique can be applied to both residents and co-workers in your community.
  • Create exercises to implement rephrasing and reframing techniques with family caregivers and loved ones.

Faculty: Catherine Braxton, MA, Owner, Educator and Content Creator of improv4caregivers.
CEUs

The business value of a best practices approach to workforce wellnessJessica Grossmeier & Melissa Walker

Taking care of your employees is essential to taking care of business in senior living. Nursing is one of the most stressful occupations and burnout was a critical issue for many organizations well before the global pandemic. Explore bottom line business implications including increases in staff turnover, absenteeism, disability, workers compensation, health care and related costs. Learn how burnout in nursing has been associated with poor patient outcomes. Be inspired by the business case for investing in worker wellness in senior living environments, discuss best practice approaches to addressing worker wellness and share case studies of organizations using this approach.

You’ll be able to:

  • Understand the link between employee well-being and bottom-line business value.
  • Describe elements of a best practice approach to employee well-being.
  • Identify case studies of organizations with robust workplace wellness initiatives.

Faculty: Jessica Grossmeier, PhD, MPH, Principal, Jessica Grossmeier Consulting and Melissa Walker, MBA, BS, Wellbeing Product Lead for Experience Services for JLL.
CEUs

The social brain and singing: Connecting better during COVID-19 Angie Frantz & Marisa Payne

The human social brain has a highly developed biological need to connect with others. During the pandemic, messaging and calling proved inadequate to significantly reduce stress among isolated residents in senior living. Learn about production of the social bonding hormone oxytocin that is activated when we sing, and how to combine music with modern technology to uplift residents and viewers.

You’ll be able to:

  • Apply digital communication technologies in innovative ways that connect emotionally.
  • Optimize resident engagement and improve quality of life in various demographics (independent living, assisted living, memory care) with music.
  • Simultaneously engage multiple, interconnected dimensions of wellness.

Faculty: Angie Frantz, CNA, Expressions Memory Care Product Manager, and Marisa Payne, Product Manager for Celebrations, Prestige Care Inc.

Wellness solutions: Effective programs for any environmentSarah Robertson, Stephen Brown & Amy Simmons

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted our well-being with depression, physical and cognitive decline, inertia and fear. Explore five multidimensional wellness programs that can be facilitated easily by anyone in any location and without equipment. Gain recommendations and instructions to deliver programs in emotional, intellectual, physical, mind-body and spiritual dimensions

You’ll be able to:

  • Gain knowledge about the effects of the pandemic on various factors affecting well-being.
  • Introduce simple, effective programs appropriate for any age demographic in any environment without the use of equipment.
  • Experience samples of 5 wellness programs that can easily be implemented.

Faculty: Sarah Robertson, BA, National Director of Training and Customer Support; Stephen Brown, BA, National Director of Training and Customer Support, Wellness Services; and Amy Simmons, BS, Director of Training & Customer Support, Wellness Services, Aegis Therapies.
CEUs

Dementia Citizenship as a pathway to wellnessHeather Macchietto

“Dementia Citizenship” means that a dementia diagnosis doesn’t strip away a person’s humanity; everyone still has the same rights and needs. Learn how ignoring the whole person or treating them as "less than" is damaging to a loved one’s emotional, mental and physical wellness. Explore creating more person-centered offerings in your community wellness programs.

You’ll be able to:

  • Define Dementia Citizenship and its connection to person-centered relationships, including how it affects the dimensions of wellness in a person with dementia.
  • Adapt wellness programming for clients and residents living with dementia.
  • Use the concepts of Dementia Citizenship and person-centered interactions to further your wellness offerings for people with dementia.

Faculty: Heather Macchietto, MSDA, CDP, Director of Lifestyle, Edgemere Retirement Community.
CEUs

Protecting the aging shoulder for mobility, stability & functionAaron Aslakson

The shoulder girdle is critical to upper body movements. Balance in joint mobility and stability can be impacted by common injuries and the aging process, compromising activities of daily living and independence. Learn simple, effective exercises to improve shoulder functionality in older adults using minimal equipment. Apply and transfer these exercises to any setting.

You’ll be able to:

  • Understand how the shoulder balances mobility and stability for upper body movements and how injuries and the aging process decrease functionality in older adults.
  • Implement effective exercises to improve shoulder functionality utilizing minimal equipment as a supplement to a current fitness or wellness program.
  • Modify exercises based on a participant’s previous injuries and equipment availability for applicability in any setting.

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

Fall risk interventions: Trip, stumble and stay upPat VanGalen

Fall risk and fall injury risk reduction interventions need to include the latest research on “staying up.” Learn a common sense neuro-motor training approach gleaned from physical education literacy, rehab, strength conditioning and performance training. Explore the 7S “Brake-Brace-Break” approach and daily practices to combat the fear of falling and to preserve confidence and fluidity of movement.

You’ll be able to:

  • Rethink training and coaching systems and understanding of fall risk interventions by taking this specialized approach to “staying up.”
  • Address fear of falling as part of a comprehensive “movement pillar” approach, expanding the movement sphere and locomotor skills.
  • Foster a new culture of seeking safe and stimulating movement throughout the StAges to enhance fundamental motor skills.

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. PT (Pacific Time)

COVID-19: The great divider, uniter, and acceleratorDr. Richard Carmona, Colin Milner, Gloria A. Caulfield & Paul Scialla

As COVID-19 surged across North America, politicians, media, organizations and individuals were divided in their understanding of the pandemic. Yet this adversity—locking down economies, social distancing, mask wearing, and who should get access to PPE first—united many to form new partnerships that accelerated the role of technology, hybrid models, wellness and the well-built environment. There was also recognition that the industry needed new models to future-proof itself against disasters and harmful trends. In this session you will gain insights into the lessons learned from COVID-19. You will also explore new pandemic-driven trends, innovations and new models that have the potential to guide the future of the active aging industry.

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10:15 a.m.–11:00 a.m. PT (Pacific Time)

12 minute solution: Moving for a healthy life

Explore common barriers among older adults to engaging in exercise activities and how to design accessible fitness programs that promote independence and confidence.

Performance for Life: Engagement and independence
Performance for Life is a loose programming framework to improve the confidence and physical abilities required to remain independent later in life. Conveying a message that’s more inclusive and empowering, the concept focusses on the dynamic stability and resilience that promote engagement and prolong independence.

Faculty: Jonathan Abrams, Active Aging & Rehab Segment Sales Manager, Life Fitness.

Exercise: The backbone of quality of life
Healthy movement is critical to maintaining quality of life for long-term care residents. Join this presentation on research findings that emphasize the importance of engaging residents in more than chair-based exercises to help inspire confidence and independence.

Faculty: Colin Hoobler, Founder, Coalition for Active Resident Engagement (CARE) and partner, Matrix Fitness.

Wellness for all: Accessible fitness design
In this session we will explore common barriers to fitness, why accessibility matters, tips for assessing your access and how to make your space welcoming. Learn the core elements of accessible fitness design.

Faculty: Carol Longman, Vice President of Business Development, HUR, USA

12 minute solution: Smarter operations through smarter tech

Robots, fitness equipment and modernization are some of the exciting changes spearheading trends toward better resident social connections as well as higher revenue streams.

Radley Robots: Tools for social engagement
We conducted a pilot at facilities for older adults earlier this year, using telepresence robots to support better social connection and engagement. Join us in sharing what we did and what we learned from being in-market, lessons beyond the research lab.

Faculty: Savana Radley, Founder, Radley Robots

Inclusive Technology: Expanding access
Fitness equipment with smart technology is changing the way we exercise. But are older adults being left out of the mix because of knowledge gaps? Join this presentation to learn how inclusive technology can bridge the information divide.

Faculty: Scott Rubicz, National Senior Living Director, NuStep, LLC.

Modernizing operations to set your community apart
Discover how communities are modernizing each piece of their revenue engine, resulting in time saved, lower staff turnover, increased resident engagement and longer lengths of stay. Learn how modernizing your operations can provide a personalized resident experience and set your community apart.

Faculty: Gabriel Rubio Maldonado, Director of Operations, Welbi.

12-minute solutions: Boosting wellness with innovative programsDiana Oliver, Alicia Bliss, Rachel McDermott

Evidence-base, adaptable fitness programs are key to all levels of wellness for older adults, from mental to physical, no matter the ability or age.

Urban Poling & Rock Steady Boxing
Learn how to deliver new evidence-based wellness programs from Urban Poling and Rock Steady Boxing. This partnership offers senior living communities multiple exercise programs that can be leveraged easily and safely for a variety of skill levels.

Faculty: Diana Oliver, Marketing Manager, Urban Poling.

Where do we go from here?
Learning is one of the key elements to resilience as we age. Discover how at-home learning might be as essential to positive aging as social interaction. Explore how to provide health-focused programming that offers both at-home learning and in-person group activities.

Faculty: Alicia Bliss, Wellness Coach and Co-owner, Best Years Group

Benefits of aquatic therapy
Water immersion has great benefits for bodily systems. Learn how water can support and enhance your wellness or rehab client participation. Dive into the benefits of hydrostatic pressure on cardiac, circulatory, pulmonary, musculoskeletal and lymphatic systems.

Faculty: Rachel McDermott, PTA, CPO, Clinical Education Manager, HydroWorx.

12 minute solution: Training the brain through science and VREmily Johnson, Cynthia R. Green, Chris Brickler

Boosting cognitive fitness is a cutting edge trend to empower older adults through the latest scientific research and virtual technologies.

Bolstering brain fitness
In this session, learn three easy tactics to add brain benefits to every older adult fitness class, whether the focus is on cardio, strength, stretch and/or balance.

Faculty: Emily Johnson, Founder and Creative Director, StrongerU Senior Fitness.

9 budget friendly ways to empower brain health
Join Dr. Cynthia Green to learn the many ways you can build a science-based, engaging but affordable brain training program in your community. Walk away with practical tips to immediately boost your cognitive wellness offerings.

Faculty: Cynthia R. Green, Ph.D., President, Total Brain Health.

Cutting edge VR in senior living
Virtual Reality is one of the most powerful and engaging technologies now intersecting with healthcare and senior living. Learn the latest in neuroscience research and new methods to improve assessments. Explore the convergence of medical breakthroughs and future applications in VR technology.

Faculty: Chris Brickler, CEO, MyndVR.

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11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. PT (Pacific Time)

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. PT (Pacific Time)

Positive lifestyle resets catalyzed by COVID-19Stephanie Ludwig

The global COVID-19 pandemic continues to change the way we behave, think, feel, relate, and believe, presenting unique and complex challenges to our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. This session will explore “positive lifestyle resets” – those transformational practices that can move us beyond surviving and coping toward the cultivation of whole-person healing and growth as we continue to navigate uncertainty. Consideration will be given to resetting within our personal and professional lives, and application within the communities and organizations we participate in and serve.

You’ll be able to:

  • Differentiate between surviving and coping vs. healing and growth through a post-traumatic growth paradigm that includes uncertainty.
  • Identify positive lifestyle resets that promote physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness.
  • Develop an initial plan for applying key positive lifestyle resets on a personal, professional, or communal/organizational basis.

Faculty: Stephanie Ludwig, Ph.D., M.A., M.Div., Director of Spiritual Wellness for Canyon Ranch.

Developing resilient leaders—and loved onesKaren Woodard

Resilience is an important quality at any age. It is the ability to recover readily from adversity or the power to return to original form after being compromised. Learn how resilience employs mental processes and behaviors to protect ourselves from the potential negative effects of stressors. Define and deepen resilience for yourself, those you lead and those you love.

You’ll be able to:

  • Understand the 3 types of resilience and rate yourselves as well as those you lead in all 3 areas.
  • Understand and employ the 5 Pillars of Resilience.
  • Create 2 models for building resilience.

Faculty: Karen Woodard, President, Premium Performance Training.
CEUs

Reviving the joy of readingSusan Ostrowski

Older adults may have lost the desire to read because of societal beliefs about what adult text should look like and a mistaken notion that many can no longer read in any meaningful way. Explore ways that reading can once again be a pleasurable and meaningful pastime for older adults.

You’ll be able to:

  • Understand how cognitive change affects the reading process.
  • Compensate for the barriers to reading that older adults too often encounter, including stereotypes.
  • Create and facilitate resident led, peer interactive reading groups.

Faculty: Susan Ostrowski, MA, MS, Cofounder, Reading2Connect.
CEUs

Increasing engagement through personalized wellness programsElizabeth Audette-Bourdeau

Research shows that half of those looking to move into senior living communities say wellness programs are a primary decider. Learn how to create a framework that directly ties your community wellness programs to operating revenues. Explore how to build wellness activities that can be tracked, benchmarked and easily implemented in your communities.

You’ll be able to:

  • Standardize life enrichment programs reporting across multiple communities.
  • Set benchmarks for wellness programming using modern tools to analyze trends.
  • Use data to improve programming, track engagement and resident satisfaction.

Faculty: Elizabeth Audette-Bourdeau, BCom, Founder, Welbi.
CEUs

Dementia: Pursuit of potential through intentional engagementJill Ricker, Megan Bradford & Ben Leavall

Pandemic restrictions forced the senior living industry to keep people apart yet engaged. Understand how leaving our comfort zones actually is helping the industry identify new intentional engagement models beyond “safe and secure.” Learn how the current paradigm surrounding dementia may limit possibilities and perpetuate the very stigma we want to change.

You’ll be able to:

  • Identify words and phrases commonly used that burden those living with dementia.
  • Be challenged to consider what it means to build a “living border around the individual” vs “placing the individual in a pre-designed box”.
  • Adopt specific engagement tactics that contribute to “inclusion with adaptations” versus exclusion based on diagnosis.

Faculty: Jill Ricker, BS, Director of Operations, SAIDO; Megan Bradford, BSBA, Vice President of Middle Market and Ministry for Episcopal Retirement Services; and Ben Leavall, CNHA, Executive Director at Sunset Communities, Waterford Place.
CEUs

Zoom games to build movement skills and communityLawrence Biscontini, Bernadette O’Brien, Eileen Byrnes, Heather Harris, Wendy McCormick & Claire Powell

Enjoy five sessions in one to learn innovative and low equipment Zoom games to play with residents on social media, Zoom, interactive TV and Closed Circuit TV inside your active aging centers. Learn innovative online games to enhance memory, increase simple movement skills and improve dynamic flexibility while enhancing a sense of community amidst possible isolation.

You’ll be able to:

  • Understand the dynamics of one-sided and two-sided games.
  • Learn simple, low equipment based games.
  • Discuss ways to use gaming to enhance memory, increase simple movement skills and even improve dynamic flexibility.

Faculty: Lawrence Biscontini, MA, Founder, FG2000; Bernadette O’Brien; Eileen Byrnes, Solely Wellness; Heather Harris; Wendy McCormick, Fitness Supervisor for YMCA Northern Alberta; and Claire Powell, Founder, San Jose Laughter Club.
CEUs

Tweakology 101: Innovative ideas for favorite exercises—Part 1Sue Grant

In this practical session, learn the Gray Institute’s “Ten Observational Essentials of Movement” and understand how to tailor every exercise in your repertoire to specific clients and residents. Practice these modifications with three basic movements: sit to stand, pushing, and stepping or walking.

You’ll be able to:

  • Implement the Gray Institute’s “Ten Observational Essentials of Movement” to make every exercise or movement appropriate for your clients and residents.
  • Tailor 3 functional exercises for every client.
  • Add cognitive challenges, cardio, power and functional variety to every workout.

Faculty: Sue Grant, BA, ACE, Founder, olderwiserworkout.com
CEUs

Embodied strength, balance and fall prevention for active agingMargot McKinnon

Building resilience throughout the neuro-musculoskeletal system is key to effective fall prevention and healthy aging. Dive into multisensory training principles and techniques that fit any active aging wellness program. Share ideas for program development and delivery and how to empower older adults physically and cognitively.

You’ll be able to:

  • Develop a conceptual framework of exercise outcomes for active aging and fall prevention by learning physical, cognitive and social considerations of aging.
  • Learn the do’s and don’ts of exercise protocols to prevent falls, including 3 balance strategies.
  • Learn functional exercises and innovative ways to plan classes for active aging and fall prevention in groups with multiple needs.

Faculty: Margot McKinnon, MEd, Founder and CEO of Body Harmonics Inc.
CEUs

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1:15 p.m.-2:00 p.m. PT (Pacific Time)

Idea exchange and wrap up

Join your colleagues for these idea-sharing sessions on how you have "Reset" your wellness programs and environment to address today's new reality.

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