Alzheimer’s and Dementia:  Building a Culture of Care

Date:   Thursday, November 14, 2019

Time:   8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.  Registration begins at 8:00 a.m.

Location:  Thelma Keller Convention Center, 1202 North Keller Drive, Effingham, Illinois

This innovative educational event will offer up-to-date tools and strategies to create and maintain quality care of persons with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia in any setting. Participants will gain an abundant understanding of how workplace culture, teamwork and communication affect care outcomes. Join us for a fast paced and interactive agenda to get the most current information on how your workplace can be transformed to provide exceptional caring and compassion to these vulnerable adults.  Upon completion of this program, you should be able to:

• Recognize the salient differences between Alzheimer’s and dementia types.
• Identify communication approaches that are effective at different stages of disease.
• Discuss the qualities of an encouraging, emotionally intelligent workplace culture.
• Implement processes proven to provide quality of care for affected persons in any setting.
• Define culture change and set meaningful goals for change in the workplace that impact care.

Agenda

Faculty:

Melanie Adams, MA, is the Director of Education & Outreach for the Alzheimer’s Association, Illinois Chapter. She holds a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership and a bachelor’s degree in therapeutic recreation. Ms. Adams has steadily progressed in her career beginning as a direct care worker to that of a consultant and manager of talent for the Greater IL Chapter’s education team. She has published several articles on living with a disease or disability, accepting everyone’s ability level, and supporting caregivers and honoring choice. During the past ten years, Ms. Adams has trained both professionals and families facing memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease and has been a valuable resource to her community. As a team leader across Greater Illinois, she motivates and empowers her team and volunteers to deliver quality education and awareness of Alzheimer’s disease.

Mike Bius, BA, serves as a Multimedia Education Manager for the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter. He holds a bachelor’s degree in interpersonal and group communication. Mike joined the Alzheimer’s Association in January of 2012 meshing his talents and expertise in corporate training and education with his passion for seniors, adult learners, and caregivers. In his initial position with the Alzheimer’s Association as Manager of Education and Outreach, he has conducted hundreds of education programs throughout the state. Now, as a Multimedia Education Manager, he focuses exclusively on educating the public through ‘virtual learning’ platforms. Mike’s personal mission is to increase the impact of the Alzheimer’s Association by reaching as many people via education programs as possible, in order to improve the quality of their lives, and have fun while doing it.

Becky Doiron, BS, is the manager of Education, and Outreach for the Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter. She serves 26 counties in the southernmost area of Illinois. Becky graduated from Southern Illinois University with a degree in Therapeutic Recreation. Before coming to the Association 3 years ago, she served as the Director of Activities at a local memory care unit working directly with individuals with dementia. Alzheimer’s has been her passion since her grandmother was diagnosed 11 years ago. Becky works diligently to spread awareness, and educate the community on Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias including recognizing warning signs, communicating throughout the disease, and promoting brain health.

Leslie Pedtke, BS, LNHA, is an Owner and Educator for Quality Improvement for King Management Company. She was the Administrator of Aviston Countryside Manor from 1994-2017. Through this experience she has built a foundation of person directed care. She is an author for Health Professions Press. Her book, What Living as a Resident Can Teach Long-Term Care Staff: The Power of Empathy to Transform Care, was released in October, 2017 and is a teaching tool for long term care professionals, families and students. Leslie is currently the Board Vice-President of the Illinois Pioneer Coalition. She graduated from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale with a Bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication and is currently a Masters of Health Care Administration student at Maryville University.

Judy Ryan is an author, columnist in two publications, a consultant, trainer, coach, and keynote presenter, with guest appearances on TV, podcasts and radio. She has been the founder of LifeWork Systems, an award-winning training and consulting company specializing in leadership development and culture change since 2002. Executive leaders work with LifeWork Systems to take advantage the techniques they have developed to promote a healthy workplace culture. They know that conscientious employees improve business and better serve customers. Judy’s mission is to help create a world in which all people love their lives, including at work.

Yolanda Simon (bio to be posted shortly)

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.