2022 Fall Alzheimer’s Conference 

Helping Families Connect

Offered in collaboration with the

Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter

Date:    Tuesday, October 18, 2022

Time:    8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

 Location: Thelma Keller Convention Center, 1202 N. Keller Drive, Effingham 

 
Learn the best communication approaches at every stage of the disease, the most effective techniques for addressing behaviors of various dementia types, and the greatest ways to work together with families and others to consistently meet a person’s needs.

Upon completion of this program, you should be able to: 

• Identify communication approaches that are effective through the stages of Alzheimer’s.
• Outline the different dementia types and their unique behavior challenges.
• Describe the latest research in managing Alzheimer’s disease. 
• Specify strategies to support and have meaningful engagement with people with Alzheimer’s and dementia,
• Define how professionals can effectively play the role of care-partner, teacher and support system.

View Agenda

Faculty:

Hadi Finerty is the Senior Manager of Education and Outreach for the Alzheimer’s Association- Illinois Chapter.  She strives to educate five counties in Illinois on Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias including warning signs, planning ahead and promoting brain health.  Hadi graduated from Quincy University with a bachelor’s degree in Broadcasting and a minor in journalism. Hadi was and is affected personally by AD through her grandma, who was diagnosed in 1999 with dementia.  In her current role Hadi strives to make an impact on families and the community by sharing her own personal experiences with Alzheimer’s disease.

Shannon Nosbisch co-founded the Effingham Area Alzheimer’s Awareness (EAAA), a non-profit organization dedicated to providing support and education to families living in Effingham and the surrounding area, after her experience caring for her mother-in-law living with Alzheimer’s disease.  Since 2014, EAAA has provided a variety of programs focused on education and support including the Forget-Me-Not Resource Centers located in seven local libraries, monthly Memory Moment and Forget-Me-Not Spotlight articles, Dementia Friendly Community training and community education series that hosts professionals to discuss topics related to caregiving and dementia.  Shannon has attended numerous educational conferences and is a Certified Dementia Practitioner and a Dementia Care Specialist.

Rose Ruholl is owner and director of Visiting Angels Homecare Agency serving 15 counties in South & Southeastern Illinois.  Rose has over 30 years of professional customer service experience in successful selling, managing, and building businesses with the opportunity of insurance sales and management specializing in Life and Health Insurance, the owning, developing and managing real estate entities, farms, and rental properties of 40+ multi-family units.   She active volunteers with the Family Life Center, the Alzheimer’s Association, 100+ Women of Effingham County Who Care, St. Anthony Catholic Church, as well as serves as President on Heartland Human Services, a member of Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospital’s PFAC (Patient Family Advisory Council), and a member of Inter Agency Network groups in Coles, Cumberland, Effingham, Jasper and Shelby Counties, and Heartland Human Services Mental Health and Aging Systems Integration. Rose is a Certified Dementia Practitioner and an Alzheimer’s Awareness Community Educator. 

Amy Sobrino is a licensed clinical social worker specializing in working with people living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia and their care partners. After her experience caring for her grandmother living with Alzheimer’s disease, Amy earned her Bachelor of Social Work degree at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and Masters of Social Work degree and Gerontology specialization from Saint Louis University. She previously worked for the VOYCE Ombudsman Program and advocated for residents living in long-term care communities. Amy is currently employed at Memory Care Home Solutions, a non-profit organization that provides education and support to care partners and persons living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia. In addition to her role at Memory Care Home Solutions, Amy and her family founded Effingham Area Alzheimer’s Awareness, a non-profit organization in central Illinois that provides rural dementia education and support. Amy has served as a lecturer for the Washington University School of Occupational Therapy. Amy has received recognition as recipient of the Saint Louis University School of Social Work Young Alumni Award and the Illinois State Library Association Alexander J. Skryzpek Award.

Conflict of Interest Policy Statement:   Faculty participating in this program are expected to disclose to the program audience any real or apparent conflict(s) or unlabeled use related to the content of their presentations.