Wellness as strategy: ROI in low-income senior housing communitiesJames Wilson, Dunisha Johnson & Wesley Bogard
Low-income senior housing communities face growing pressure to meet organizational mission and business objectives while operating within limited budgets and limited resources. A practical, evidence-informed framework for implementing holistic wellness programs can improve quality of life while creating a compelling business case for organizational investment. Discover the WELL-PLAN tool, a step-by-step framework that aligns community needs and organizational goals and identifies measurable return on investment (ROI) tied to resident health, happiness and longevity.
You’ll be able to:
Identify key components of the WELL-PLAN for low-income senior housing, including social, environmental and organizational factors that influence resident engagement in wellness programming.
Apply evidence-informed insights from externally conducted research to develop or modify wellness programming that supports resident participation and promotes overall community well-being.
Develop sustainable strategies, including value propositions that demonstrate the social and economic return of wellness investments to organizational leaders, funders and other community stakeholders.
Faculty: James Wilson, PhD, Vice President, Affordable Living; Dunisha Johnson, MGS, Director of Resident Support, Affordable Living; and Wesley Bogard, MS, Wellness Manager, Affordable Living, Episcopal Retirement Services. CEUs
A hands-on workshop to apply Montessori methodsBrenda Gurung
Dive into examples of Montessori methods to enhance engagement and care delivery and as interventions for behavioral expressions. This active session will offer a brief introduction to Montessori methods, and participants will then break into groups to discuss case studies and engage in hands-on activities. The workshop will be centered on memory care settings, but activities will be applicable to assisted living, skilled nursing, adult day and home care settings, and the concepts can be modified for independent living facilities.
You’ll be able to:
Define the key tenets of the Montessori method.
Incorporate Montessori into engagement (life enrichment), care delivery and interventions for behavioral expressions.
Determine Montessori practices for case study examples.
Faculty: Brenda Gurung, MBA, Founder, Educator, Be Growth Dementia Education. CEUs
Food is Medicine: Concepts and applications for older-adult nutritionJen Bruning & Amy Bollam
The concept that food is medicine, which dates to Hippocrates, is returning to the forefront of nutrition discussions. Food is Medicine addresses issues of food access, community programming and support from allied health professionals. Older adults in many settings can benefit from the approach. This session is especially geared for dietitians, chefs, dietary managers, social workers and other professionals in the senior care industry. Explore new findings in nutrition science and discuss ideas for adopting a Food is Medicine framework suitable for your setting.
You’ll be able to:
Describe the origins of the Food is Medicine concept and its applicability for older-adult nutrition in various care settings.
Distinguish between restrictive diets and a Food is Medicine approach.
Demonstrate two tactics for managing change in recipes, menus or systems in a senior living or home-care environment.
Faculty: Jen Bruning, MS, RDN, Director of Partner Education, Incite Strategic Partners; and Amy Bollam, MS, RDN, Vice President of Strategy, DiningRD. CEUs
Intergenerational swim partnerships for active-aging communitiesMelissa McGarvey
Learn how to create intergenerational swim partnerships between senior living communities and swim programs to activate underutilized pools, expand resident programming and increase community impact. Discuss flexible models that can be adapted to a community’s pool availability, staffing and financial realities. Explore practical options, including 65+ swim lessons, aqua therapy or aqua active classes, and sessions that allow residents to support children’s swim lessons. This approach reframes pools as shared community assets while advancing drowning prevention and combating isolation and boredom among residents.
You’ll be able to:
Analyze underutilized aquatic spaces and identify viable intergenerational programming opportunities that align with resident needs, staffing capacity and operational costs.
Develop a customizable partnership model to implement 65+ aquatic programming, intergenerational engagement and community swim lesson access.
Identify one immediate opportunity to activate your pool and create a clear plan to be shared with internal teams and potential partners.
Faculty: Melissa McGarvey, BA, Vice President, British Swim School. CEUs
Four-legged flow: Reimagining dance and core work from the chairAnn Gilbert
Four-legged flow combines rhythm, coordination and core training in an inclusive program that can be performed from a chair. Participate in science-based movement and share laughter while engaging in this session. Explore a complete reframing of what your chair-based programming attendees have seen to date.
You’ll be able to:
Design a 30-minute, dance-based inclusive program from the chair, including innovative seated core work and unique challenges for the mind and the body.
Practice cueing and coaching techniques proven to increase engagement, joy and adherence without adding undue impact.
Implement ideas from a series of “steal-this-sequence” handouts that will help you start your new programming options right away.
Faculty: Ann Gilbert, BS, Owner, Master Trainer, Fit-Her Health & Fitness for Women. CEUs
Tai chi–yoga–pilates fusion for a growth mindsetTerry Eckmann
Experience a dynamic fusion of tai chi, yoga and pilates in a session designed to cultivate a growth mindset. Explore foundational movements while embracing the “not yet” through simple regressions or the “I’m ready for more” with accessible progressions. Move through an intentional flow supported by music, mantra and meaningful instruction to spark curiosity, confidence and continuous growth.
You’ll be able to:
Describe a series of tai chi, yoga and pilates movements suitable for a variety of fitness levels.
Identify regressions (“not yet”) and progressions (“I can do more”) for each foundational move.
Design a growth-minded class using purposeful instructional cues, empowering mantras and supportive music.
Faculty: Terry Eckmann, PhD, Professor, Teacher Education and Kinesiology, Minot State University. CEUs
Functional core for older adultsAmanda Sommer & Michelle Rogers
Learn safe and effective standing core exercises using tubes and bands. Many older adults have difficulty getting up and down from the floor for traditional core exercise. This session will introduce methods to allow anyone to perform core work. Practice exercises for beginning to advanced levels. The exercises can be used for land or water fitness and can be done alone with anchored tubing or with partners.
You’ll be able to:
Develop a standing core program using tubing or bands.
Modify exercises for all levels of ability.
Incorporate exercises into existing classes or create a stand-alone core program.
From successful aging to TrueSpan: Building a wellness ecosystemDan Lavender, Jessica Eller & Tom Mann
Many senior living organizations create strong wellness programming but struggle to translate it into an enterprise-wide identity and measurable business value. In this case-study session, learn how Moorings Park Communities evolved its successful aging program into TrueSpan: a unified wellness philosophy and operating model, and TrueSpan Neighborhood, an integrated digital ecosystem. TrueSpan connects residents to resources, services, communication, events and personalized content across multiple channels. The program provides clearer storytelling and stronger engagement pathways.
You’ll be able to:
Develop a roadmap to evolve a wellness program into an enterprise-wide wellness brand.
Define an operating model and governance structure for a sustainable wellness initiative.
Draft a marketing and adoption plan to drive engagement with measurable outcomes.
Faculty: Dan Lavender, MBA, CEO; Jessica Eller, MBA, Executive Director of TrueSpan; and Tom Mann, BS, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Moorings Park Communities. CEUs
The Whimsy Effect: Playfulness for cognitive and emotional healthSheena Jeffries
Learn how to intentionally use playfulness as an evidence-informed tool to support cognitive stimulation and emotional connection in older adults of all ability levels, including those living with dementia. Simple techniques such as playful prompts, curiosity-based invitations and sensory micro-moments can activate attention, reduce stress and encourage connection. Explore practical strategies to embed low-pressure, success-based whimsy into daily programming, communication and social interactions without adding cost or complexity.
You’ll be able to:
Identify and analyze residents’ emotional and cognitive needs to implement engagement strategies for independent living, assisted living and varying stages of dementia.
Apply at least three practical, whimsy-based techniques to increase participation, emotional safety and meaningful connection.
Develop and modify an individualized or group-based engagement action plan that integrates playful interventions into existing programming while tracking observable cognitive, emotional and behavioral outcomes.
Faculty: Sheena Jeffries, BS, Director of Resident and Family Experience, Watercrest Senior Living, and Creator, Whimsy Effect and Moments of Meaning. CEUs
Living swell: Nourishing to strive and thrive, not just surviveLeslie Bonci & Roberta Anding
Eating well in later life means supporting a changing body while also honoring traditions that have shaped a lifetime of meals. Changes in muscle mass, hormone levels, digestion, and cellular repair make protein quality, fiber, hydration, and antioxidant-rich foods important for the health of older adults. Yet food is never just fuel. For many, food rituals anchor identity, memory and belonging. Discover ways to blend science and tradition to create meals that protect the body while preserving valuable stories, rhythms and relationships.
You’ll be able to:
Recognize age-related changes that can impact food intake, digestion and preparation.
Identify the importance of older adults’ preferences for familiar meals and cultural and traditional foods.
Request recipes from older adults and describe the need for prioritizing health, well-being and nutrition in meal planning and food preparation.
Faculty: Leslie Bonci, MPH, RD, Cofounder, Performance365; Owner, Active Eating Advice; and Adjunct Instructor, University of Pittsburgh and Duquesne University; and Roberta Anding, MS, RD, Cofounder, Performance365, Assistant Professor, Baylor College of Medicine Department of Orthopedic Surgery, and Sports Dietitian for Baylor College of Medicine Corporate Programs team and Rice University Owls. CEUs
How virtual reality is revolutionizing senior careKathleen Weissberg
Conventional rehabilitation and senior-living life enrichment/wellness programs are using virtual reality in individualized sessions to help residents achieve their goals. Virtual reality therapy is currently being used to address physical and cognitive dysfunctions in populations of older adults. See video case examples of virtual reality being used in senior living settings to impact residents’ ADL/IADL [activities of daily living/instrumental activities of daily living] skills, exercise, cognition, balance, fear of falling, motivation, enjoyment and other factors.
You’ll be able to:
Define the scope, type and incidence of virtual reality use in senior living.
Identify functional benefits and outcomes related to use of virtual reality with older adults.
List barriers to implementing virtual reality therapy and strategies to overcome those barriers.
Faculty: Kathleen Weissberg, OTD, National Director of Education, Select Rehabilitation. CEUs
Integrating music, recreation and horticulture therapies to strengthen wellness modelsEmily Sitzes & Briley Tuttle
Learn how to integrate expressive therapies as goal-driven programs that strengthen holistic wellness and healthcare outcomes. Explore the benefits of music therapy, recreational therapy and therapeutic horticulture services to support physical, psychosocial, cognitive and sensory health. Discuss real-world case examples and implementation strategies showing how to ensure safe, inclusive participation in all areas of living. Learn practical strategies for translating clinician-led interventions into supportive, nonclinical engagement opportunities.
You’ll be able to:
Identify and differentiate the distinct roles of music therapy, recreation therapy, and therapeutic horticulture within an integrated wellness model that supports holistic health outcomes across levels of care.
Apply an ability-based adaptation framework to modify expressive therapy-informed activities based on residents’ mobility, cognition and behavioral considerations while maintaining safety and appropriate scope of practice.
Develop a practical action plan for interdisciplinary collaboration that aligns wellness programming with healthcare goals, including effective communication strategies between clinical and nonclinical staff to support continuity of care.
Faculty: Emily Sitzes, BS, Director of Community Wellness, and Briley Tuttle, BS, Director of Community Wellness, EverTrue Concordia Village. CEUs
Balanced brain, balanced body: A dual-tasking balance classAleen Dailey
This dynamic fitness class challenges participants to think and move at the same time, strengthening physical stability while engaging attention, memory and coordination. Progress from neck mobility and ankle warm-ups to dynamic balance drills and targeted hip and ankle strengthening with cognitive challenges woven into every exercise. Designed for all ability levels, the format emphasizes functional movement, adaptability and confidence-building in a supportive, engaging environment.
You’ll be able to:
Structure a progressive dual-task balance class that integrates mobility, strength and dynamic balance exercises with cognitive challenges for participants of varying ability levels.
Apply practical strategies and utilize artificial intelligence-supported tools to efficiently generate engaging cognitive tasks—such as word games, trivia, and math prompts—without relying on costly subscriptions or prepackaged programs.
Develop an adaptable framework for implementing dual-task balance programming that enhances physical stability, cognitive engagement and confidence while remaining scalable and replicable across diverse community settings.
You think you cannot sit still to meditate? This session will simplify meditation with a combination of theory and practice of meditative movement, creating an accumulation of focus, attention, enhanced recovery, and stress reduction. You will also strengthen your mind-body connection.
You’ll be able to:
Use gentle, intentional movement as a form of meditation to build focus, presence and calm without needing to sit still.
Use simple breath-and-body methods to reduce tension, improve nervous system regulation, and support mental and physical recovery in daily life.
Develop greater awareness of posture, sensation and attention to enhance balance, emotional regulation and overall well-being through embodied mindfulness.
Faculty: Yury Rockit, BA, Mindfulness and Movement Coach, Rockit Movement; and Founder, Aliveness Ecosystem. CEUs
Navigating health misinformation in the age of AI: A practical guideMarilynn Larkin
This presentation provides practical strategies for assessing health misinformation from search results, social media, podcasts, wellness marketing, and informal virtual and in-person groups and organizations. Learn a structured five-question framework for evaluating potentially misleading health messaging, and simple tools to share with residents/members to promote safer health decision-making. Specific examples will be used to highlight key points and promote discussion. Content can be implemented in educational programming and individual/group discussions for residents and members, as well as in staff meetings.
You’ll be able to:
Identify common types of health misinformation encountered by residents and members.
Apply a structured five-question framework to evaluate health claims and guide discussions.
Promote safer decision-making by directing individuals to credible, evidence-based health information sources.
Faculty: Marilynn Larkin, MA, award-winning medical journalist and editor; consultant to ICAA, and Contributing Editor and Columnist, Journal on Active Aging. CEUs
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9:30 a.m.–10:30 a.m.
The power of storytelling in AI-era grant writingAlina Serban & Jennifer Truppa
Grant proposals often rely heavily on data, compliance language and program descriptions, yet many strong applications still fail to stand out. Innovative storytelling, supported by responsible use of AI, can elevate grant writing for affordable senior housing by helping funders better understand impact, need and value. Learn how to strategically integrate resident and program stories into common grant sections and explore how AI tools can be used to strengthen narrative clarity, alignment and efficiency while maintaining authenticity.
You’ll be able to:
Analyze grant application requirements to identify where resident stories and program narratives can most effectively strengthen needs statements, program descriptions and impact sections.
Develop concise, ethical, funder-ready narratives by integrating program data, resident experience and AI-supported tools to improve clarity, alignment and efficiency without compromising authenticity.
Demonstrate a repeatable framework for translating outcomes and metrics into compelling stories that align with funder priorities and support competitive grant proposals.
Faculty: Alina Serban, MS, Chief of Staff, and Jennifer Truppa, Director of Operations, Embrace Living Communities. CEUs
The neurobiology of singing: Research, interventions and ROIAndrew Tubman
This session examines singing as a biologically active intervention for health and wellness in older adults and explores emerging research demonstrating singing’s return on investment (ROI). Learn how structured singing impacts breath regulation, autonomic function and key neurochemicals linked to cognition, mood stabilization and social connection. Discuss how these clinical outcomes translate into operational benefits, such as increased engagement, reduced behavioral distress and improved program utilization. Practice simple, singing-based techniques and learn how to implement them within existing budgets.
You’ll be able to:
Describe the neurobiological mechanisms through which singing supports cognitive health, emotional regulation and social connection in older adults.
Identify observable outcomes of singing-based interventions that can be used to justify program funding and budget allocation.
Apply a practical framework for evaluating the cost-effectiveness and ROI of singing programs within wellness and cognitive health initiatives.
Faculty: Andrew Tubman, MT-BC, BS, Cofounder and Chief of Therapeutics, Musical Health Technologies, aka SingFit. CEUs
Collaborative art: Fostering communityHollie Kemp, Leslie Quintinar & Linda Bounds
This interactive session will focus on inspiring creativity, encouraging social connection and promoting personal growth through the joy of painting. New StARTS is a collaborative fine-art oil-painting program designed for older adults and adults with disabilities. Learn the basic recipe for New StARTS while engaging in a condensed version of the program. Witness how art can act as a catalyst for exceptional engagement for all.
You’ll be able to:
Describe the main factors for leading a collaborative art program.
Discuss how the program can encourage socialization and personalization and enhance well-being.
Implement a new program for older adults and individuals with various debilitating conditions.
Faculty: Hollie Kemp, BS, CEO, HKC Consulting; Leslie Quintinar, Chief Operating Officer, Oxford Health Group; and Linda Bounds, Artist and Educator, Linda Bounds Artist. CEUs
Rethinking risk: How interdisciplinary collaboration and AI reshape falls preventionJessica Drecktrah & Michelle Marino
Falls remain one of the most persistent clinical, financial and reputational risks in senior living. This session encourages organizations to consider falls prevention as an enterprise-wide risk domain requiring interdisciplinary collaboration. Explore how AI-enabled tools—such as sensor-based monitoring, movement analytics and predictive risk stratification, can support shared situational awareness and earlier intervention when integrated across wellness, clinical, operations and technology teams. Practical collaboration across disciplines and leadership levels can lead to meaningful outcomes.
You’ll be able to:
Describe how artificial intelligence-driven technologies support interdisciplinary risk stratification and individualized care planning.
Identify the complementary roles of staff in nursing, wellness, therapy and life enrichment roles in addressing modifiable and nonmodifiable fall risk factors.
Demonstrate how wellness and life enrichment professionals translate technology insights into engaging exercise, restorative and educational programs that enhance participation and confidence.
Faculty: Jessica Drecktrah, DNP(c), MHA, RN, Director of Nursing Services, and Michelle Marino, BS, Director of Wellness, Carolina Meadows. CEUs
A pathway to wellness for affordable housingStacey Judge, Amanda Oberg & Judy Collett-Miller
Residents of subsidized senior housing communities are at risk for poor health outcomes and functional challenges as they often find it difficult to access services to help address physical and mental needs. This session will discuss the LivWell Program underway in eight affordable housing communities to support health, wellness and engagement among low-income older adults. Explore how the program connects affordable housing residents with education, technology, programming, and community resources to enhance daily living abilities and support personal choice, lifelong learning and quality of life.
You’ll be able to:
Describe how investing resources in health and wellness programming in affordable housing can enable older adults to age in the place of their choice.
Use key performance metrics to solicit partnership and funding opportunities to implement health and wellness programs in your community.
Identify and evaluate options for creating and/or providing person-centered health and wellness programs within an affordable housing setting.
Faculty: Stacey Judge, Wellness Program Director, and Amanda Oberg, LivWell Program Manager—Affordable Housing, Springpoint; and Judy Collett-Miller, Director of Business Development, Parker Health Group. CEUs
Exercises and skills to enhance activities of daily livingMindy Mylrea
All active agers want to feel independent. Independence starts with the ability to perform activities of daily living (ADL) with the least amount of assistance possible. Difficulty with ADL signals functional decline and is a major barrier to living an active life. This workshop demonstrates exercises, skills and drills to assist older adults who want to remain active agers. Walk away with coaching tools to elevate engagement, enthusiasm and fun among the older adults in your community.
You’ll be able to:
Describe ADL and recognize what core motor skills are involved in each.
Coach active agers through exercises and skills to enhance ADL.
Cue with confidence and enthusiasm.
Faculty: Mindy Mylrea, Owner, One Day to Wellness / The Move Mentors. CEUs
Boost bone’s crosstalk between the brain, muscle and blood vesselsPat VanGalen
Bone is the body’s largest active endocrine organ and a vital component in healthy integrated physiological systems. The crosstalk between bone and the brain, muscle, blood vessels and other major organs is essential to whole-body health. Explore the latest research on the measurement of overall bone strength, building and maintaining overall bone integrity and countering bone robbers. Update your knowledge regarding prevention of bone loss and treatment strategies to build and preserve bone across the life stages.
You’ll be able to:
Better educate clients, residents and patients about how bone strength affects all physiological systems that contribute to robust aging.
Incorporate cutting-edge exercise and movement interventions that prevent, preempt and treat osteopenia and osteoporosis in one-on-one and small and large group training programs.
Develop a referral network of primary care, endocrinologists, urogynecologists, physiotherapists, and other healthcare and wellness practitioners who address bone strength.
Faculty: Pat VanGalen, MS, Owner, Active & Agile…Maximizing Mobility Through the Ages. CEUs
Foot to core: The foundation of movement longevityEmily Splichal & Roberto Melani
The feet are the foundation of movement longevity, influencing balance, gait, posture and core activation. Age-related declines in foot strength, ankle mobility and sensory awareness can reduce stability and independence. Explore evidence-based strategies to restore foot function and enhance whole-body performance. Experience barefoot activation, ankle-strength progressions and integrated movement flows you can immediately apply to improve stability, confidence and functional movement in active-aging clients.
You’ll be able to:
Explain the role of the foot–ankle complex and sensory system in balance, gait efficiency and core activation within the context of movement longevity.
Assess and identify common age-related limitations in foot strength, ankle mobility and proprioception that impact stability and functional performance.
Integrate evidence-based foot-to-core training strategies—including sensory activation, ankle strengthening and movement progressions—into personal training, small group and group fitness programs.
Strength gains that drive retentionKarlie Intlekofer
Older adults are showing more interest in strength training, but many organizations struggle with inconsistent participation and unclear return on investment (ROI) from fitness programming. This session explores how strength-based programs can function as a quality-of-life driver and a retention asset when designed well. Learn how to position strength as a valued amenity, identify outcomes that matter to participants and communicate gains to support satisfaction and long-term engagement. Explore practical strategies to ensure offerings support recruitment and engagement, improving the perceived value of your fitness amenities.
You’ll be able to:
Identify how outcomes of strength training influence participant confidence, satisfaction and long-term participation.
Describe which strength-related measures and progress indicators are most meaningful for continued engagement.
Apply practical design and communication approaches that reinforce continued engagement in strength-based programming.
Faculty: Karlie Intlekofer, PhD, Research Scientist, Matrix Fitness. CEUs
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Implementing movement-based cognitive health programsSue Paul & Mellany Hanson
Cognitive health programming is most effective when evidence meets real-world application, such as is presented in this session. Explore practical approaches, including dual-task training, movement-based cognitive stimulation and exergaming interventions based on real-world models from a variety of senior living and community settings. Use structured worksheets to begin developing an actionable cognitive health initiative tailored to your own setting and leave with a draft program outline and clarity about practical next steps.
You’ll be able to:
Identify key components of movement-based cognitive health programs appropriate for older adults.
Analyze how environment, staffing, and engagement strategies influence program success.
Develop a draft action plan for implementing a movement-integrated cognitive health activity in your own setting.
Faculty: Sue Paul, OTD, MBA, Senior Director of Well-Being and Brain Health, Asbury Communities; and Mellany Hanson, MS, Lifestyle Director, Vi at La Jolla Village. CEUs
Sound decisions: Dining music as a structured wellness programDavid Schofman & Debi Finn
Dining sound is an underdeveloped yet highly influential wellness program within senior living communities. Wherever food and beverage are part of the experience, music plays a defining role in engagement, mood, mealtime flow, digestion and overall satisfaction. This session reframes dining music as a structured, repeatable wellness program rather than informal background noise. Discover why dining sound must be intentionally designed and how to align music programming with wellness goals that support well-being.
You’ll be able to:
Conduct a dining sound audit that evaluates music programming and audio infrastructure, such as music selection, timing, volume, sound sources, and environmental factors across multiple dining settings and populations.
Design/upgrade a community-wide dining music program across cafés, daily dining, and food-centered special events by aligning music programming with wellness goals related to emotional well-being, engagement, mealtime experience, and environmental design.
Explain the foundations of music licensing and PROs (performing rights organizations), to dispel common myths and discuss how compliant use of original artist recordings supports sustainable, responsibly managed dining music programs.
Faculty: David Schofman, BS, CEO and Founder, and Debi Finn, BS, Head of Training and Music Licensing, Coro Health. CEUs
Sleep hygiene as an operational advantageBJ Miller
Sleep is foundational to cognitive health, emotional regulation and metabolic function, yet sleep disruption remains one of the most overlooked drivers of risk in senior living, particularly in memory care environments. Learn how staff education, protocol alignment, and environmental tuning can improve sleep hygiene across senior housing communities without major capital investment. Leave with actionable tools to elevate the importance of sleep hygiene, driving better outcomes for residents, teams and the bottom line.
You’ll be able to:
Articulate the business and care-quality case for sleep hygiene, particularly in memory care environments, describing how improved sleep is associated with better health outcomes, fewer falls and dementia-related behaviors and improved staff efficiency and retention.
Translate sleep science into practical environmental strategies, identifying how lighting spectrum and timing, thermal variation, acoustics, daylight access and nighttime cues can be leveraged within existing senior living and memory care settings.
Apply operational interventions that improve sleep hygiene, equipping leadership and care teams with actionable strategies related to staffing patterns, evening routines, lighting protocols, noise management and cross-department collaboration to support resident sleep without capital-intensive renovations.
Creative, replicable engagement strategies that workMelissa Bossert & Nicole Freck
Life engagement leaders are some of the most creative people in the senior living industry, yet great ideas rarely spread between communities. Join this fast-paced, collaborative session designed to spark innovation and provide space to share engagement wins. Leave with fresh strategies you can immediately implement in your community. Real program examples and audience-driven exchanges will provide ideas about high-impact, low-barrier programs that enhance purpose, connection and quality of life for older adults across all levels of living.
You’ll be able to:
Identify and replicate life engagement programs that have demonstrated measurable engagement and resident satisfaction.
Adapt shared ideas to fit your community and implement rapid-innovation techniques to continuously generate new, meaningful engagement offerings.
Develop a structured idea-exchange model similar to this session to foster collaboration and creativity within your community’s engagement teams.
Faculty: Melissa Bossert, AA, National Director of Life Engagement, Bridge Senior Living; and Nicole Freck, MA, Senior Director of Life Engagement, Somerby Franklin. CEUs
Gentle Step: Functional strength, bone health, and falls preventionMichelle Kerr
This interactive workshop equips instructors to deliver a low-impact, weight-bearing cardio program for older adults. Gentle Step focuses on functional movements that improve strength, balance, mobility and bone health. Practice multiplanar, compound exercises—squats, lunges, controlled marches and balance work—that build lower-body strength, joint stability and confidence. The program emphasizes dual-tasking, controlled transitions and balance training to reduce fall risk, improve coordination and support cognitive health. Seated and standing options make the program accessible for diverse abilities.
You’ll be able to:
Implement safe and adaptable seated and standing low-impact exercises that enhance strength, balance, mobility and bone health for older adults of varying abilities.
Integrate balance training, controlled transitions and cognitive–motor challenges to reduce fall risk and support functional independence.
Create an inclusive, motivating environment that encourages safe movement, builds functional performance and enhances both physical and mental well-being.
Faculty: Michelle Kerr, Supervisor, City of Mississauga. CEUs
Parkinson’s exercise ecosystem: Evidence-based programs and community impactJojo McDuffie & Lisa Johnston
This session explores how evidence-based exercise and rehabilitation programs can work together within a community-based Parkinson’s care ecosystem. Engage in hands-on demonstrations to discover how key movement strategies from multiple programs support activities of daily living, reduce fall risks and enhance long-term independence. Position exercise as a foundational pillar of Parkinson’s care rather than an add-on and move beyond a one-program mindset to help participants access the right intervention at the right time.
You’ll be able to:
Analyze how different Parkinson’s exercise and rehabilitation programs—such as boxing, dance, cycling, and rehabilitation-based movement—address complementary needs related to strength, balance, mobility and activities of daily living.
Demonstrate practical movement strategies drawn from multiple Parkinson’s-specific programs that support functional outcomes such as improved gait and mobility, postural control and reduced fall risk.
Describe how community engagement networks facilitate access to exercise and rehabilitation programs to address the diverse needs of people with Parkinson’s disease.
Faculty: Jojo McDuffie, MS, Director of Corporate Affiliate Partnerships, Rock Steady Boxing, Inc.; and Lisa Johnston, BA, Senior Program Manager, Pedaling For Parkinson’s, Davis Phinney Foundation, and Dance for PD Certified Teaching Artist. CEUs
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12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
LUNCH & LEARN GREEN
Indulge in a delectable lunch while engaging in enlightening discussions with our esteemed partners in this informative session.
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12:00 p.m.–3:45 p.m.
ICAA EXPOOceans Ballroom
Explore new and innovative offerings at ICAA’s wellness expo. Discover products and services, technologies and equipment to support multidimensional wellness from providers committed to meeting the industry’s needs. Find solutions to help you meet today’s goals and stand out from the crowd. Learn more
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1:20 p.m.–2:20 p.m.
LUNCH & LEARN BLUE
During this informative session, enjoy a delicious lunch while engaging in enlightening discussions with our esteemed partners.
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4:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Building authentic wellness cultures: The executive director’s role and trainingKay Van Norman
Comprehensive wellness programs in senior living are a standard quality benchmark. Building an authentic community-wide wellness culture—where residents, staff and leadership embrace a shared responsibility for culture—is becoming the new gold standard. How can your organization prepare executive directors to ignite and lead this market shift? This wellness pioneer and ICAA board member explores practical steps for training and supporting leadership in this transformation.
You’ll be able to:
Compare three specific policies/procedures that can actively support wellness culture with three specific policies/procedures that can actively diminish wellness culture.
Describe key changes that executive directors can implement to ignite and support building an authentic wellness culture.
Leverage an authentic wellness culture to attract and retain executive directors.
Faculty: Kay Van Norman, MS, President, Brilliant Aging. CEUs
PANEL Practical cognitive rehabilitation and engagement strategiesKatie Reilly, Samantha Payton & Ryan Glatt (moderator)
Supporting residents with cognitive concerns requires structured, engaging and scalable programming. This panel session combines evidence-informed cognitive training and rehabilitation interventions with direct application to real-world programming. Explore practical models of cognitive stimulation, cognitive rehabilitation principles and structured engagement strategies designed for senior living, community wellness and home-based support. Use worksheets to design a practical cognitive engagement plan tailored to your own population and resources.
You’ll be able to:
Differentiate between cognitive stimulation and cognitive rehabilitation approaches.
Select appropriate engagement strategies based on cognitive level and care setting.
Develop an actionable plan for implementing a structured cognitive engagement program.
Faculty: Ryan Glatt (moderator), PhD(c), MS, Senior Brain Health Coach, Pacific Neuroscience Institute; Katie Reilly, PhD, Corporate Director of Cognitive Well-Being, Acts Retirement-Life Communities; and Samantha Payton, OTR/L, Clinical Partnerships and Education Lead, NewDays. CEUs
Everything is cool when you’re part of a teamAleen Dailey & Sara Fink
Do you have a huge list of programs you know would make an impact if only you had more time, help or resources to develop them? You’re not alone, and you don’t have to build them all on your own. This session explores how Carolina Village created and sustained several large- and small-scale wellness events through interdisciplinary collaboration across the campus and greater community. Identify practical strategies for building team synergy within departments, partnering beyond them and engaging residents as collaborators. Leave with concrete ideas you can adapt in your own community.
You’ll be able to:
Identify topics of interest and focus areas for developing wellness-related interdisciplinary events in your own community.
Design tools for marketing, assessing program effectiveness and tracking attendance for events.
Describe the importance of involving therapy, wellness, activities, dining, nursing and community partners to maximize the impact of wellness-related events.
Faculty: Aleen Dailey, MS, Wellness Coordinator, and Sara Fink, MS, Director of Rehab, Carolina Village. CEUs
Engaging Boomers: Expanding your fitness offerings for active agersAlexis Perkins
Prepare to meet the unique needs of Boomers, the fastest-growing segment of the aging population. This interactive workshop session begins with a fun, 30-minute, chair-based class designed specifically for active agers. Discover innovative strategies to adapt your fitness classes and wellness programs and explore essential tools to effectively enhance your offerings in ways that resonate with this vibrant generation.
You’ll be able to:
Modify fitness classes to meet the specific needs and preferences of Boomers, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants.
Apply innovative strategies to expand your business by tapping into the active ager market, including marketing plans and program development tailored to this demographic.
Build meaningful connections with older adults, fostering a supportive environment that encourages participation and enhances overall well-being.
Faculty: Alexis Perkins, BS, Founder, Chair One Fitness. CEUs
Clinical exercise prescription: A pathway for sustained resilienceJoy Higbee
Longevity through sustainable lifestyle change must marry clinical connection with physical activity, nutrition, healthcare education and community, and provide the program in a framework tailored for its participants. Hancock Health has pioneered a prescriptive, condition-specific clinical exercise model that catapulted the community to top health rankings in Indiana and the nation. Explore Hancock’s robust strategy to build, program, measure and share a practical model that can redefine health, well-being and longevity in your business and community.
You’ll be able to:
Develop a clinical exercise program that is scaled appropriately for your business or organization.
Use data to understand results and articulate the value of prescriptive clinical exercise programming in affecting population health.
Leverage the relationships built with clinical exercise program participants to build your business and grow membership.
Faculty: Joy Higbee, MA, Director of Well-Being, Hancock Health. CEUs
Poor posture is more than a cosmetic issue—it can contribute to pain, fatigue, reduced mobility and decreased confidence. This session will explore what causes poor posture, how to identify it in clients and what are the different types of postural deviations commonly seen in everyday life. Learn practical methods to assess posture in a variety of settings, including standing, sitting and during movement. Participate in targeted exercises and movement patterns designed to strengthen postural muscles, restore alignment and reduce discomfort.
You’ll be able to:
Identify and analyze common postural deviations, including forward head, rounded shoulders, kyphosis and lordosis.
Demonstrate targeted exercises and movement techniques designed to strengthen postural muscles, improve alignment and reduce discomfort.
Develop and implement practical daily strategies and action plans—such as ergonomic adjustments, stretching routines and mindful movement practices—to maintain and enhance proper posture in everyday activities.
Faculty: Jenny McClendon, MS, PT, CEO and Physical Therapist, Jenny Fit Start. CEUs
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5:15 p.m.–5:45 p.m.
REGENERATE & RESTORELawrence Biscontini
After a day filled with enriching conference activities, pause to renew and reinspire yourself. Unwind, reflect on your experiences and recharge your mind and body as you prepare for the next day. Enjoy breathing exercises, guided meditation, gentle stretching and other relaxation techniques to help you release tension and feel refreshed. Embrace this opportunity to prioritize your well-being, and enter the following day with a renewed sense of energy and focus.
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“The ICAA Conference is a great space to gain new research in the senior living industry and network with industry peers. I come away from the conference with a renewed energy and zest for the work I do and share much of the content with my coworkers.”
Courtney Russell Lifestyle Program Director, LiveWell Group
“Every ICAA Conference is a spark—igniting ideas, connections and innovations that move the future of active aging forward.”
Susan Filice Life Enrichment Director, Stoneridge Creek
