MTGEC's 21st Annual Geriatric Healthcare Conference

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Conference Registration

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Conference Presentations

Dementia: Symptoms, Strategies, and Challenges, Byron Bair, MD

Dr. Byron Bair has been working in the field of geriatrics and psychiatry since 1991 when he began working at the Salt Lake City VA Medical Center. He has a strong interest in rural health, and, in 2008, was selected to direct one of three new VA Rural Health Resource Centers to better understand rural health issues for veterans and develop special practices and products to provide better care to veterans living in rural areas. Dr. Bair is the Director of the Veterans Rural Health Resource Center – Western Region housed at the VAMC in Salt Lake City. Dr. Bair also has many research interests, with a focus on developing novel care delivery models for older adults that improve patient focused care, quality of care outcomes, and have a positive impact on resource utilization and costs. 

 A Journey with Dementia Minds, Brenda Roberts, M.Ed., CDP

Brenda Roberts is the Director of Quality Assurance and Education for the Michigan Assisted Living Association. She has a Certificate in Advanced Clinical Dementia Practices from University of Michigan, a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Alma College and a master’s degree from Central Michigan University in Education Administration and Community Leadership. In addition, Ms. Roberts is a certified  Dementia Trainer, Coach, Consultant and Engagement Leader. Ms. Robert’s husband was diagnosed with young-onset dementia in 2014. Together they made the intentional  decision to live their best lives possible and to surround themselves with like-minded people. This decision would give birth to the National Council of Dementia Minds of which she is the Executive Director.

Next Steps on the Dementia Journey, Carol Taylor, MSW, LCSW

Carol Taylor provides geriatric care management through her private consulting practice and is the team lead for the Wyoming Center on Aging’s Wyoming Dementia Together. Ms. Taylor has a master’s degree in social work and a graduate degree from the Institute of Gerontology at the University of Denver. In 1981 she was a congressional appointee to the White House Conference on Aging. In 2013 she was recognized as Social Worker of the year by NASW’s Wyoming Chapter. She was the governor-appointed member of Idaho’s Commission on Aging, a geriatric social worker for St. John’s Institute for Cognitive Health in Jackson, Wyoming, and a co-author of Boston University’s end-of-life care graduate course for its School of Geriatric Social Work.

Patient Case - Living with Dementia: Application of the 4Ms Age-Friendly Health Systems Framework

Interprofessional Panel:

• Whitney Haseman, MD, Geriatrician: Montana Stillwater Health, Missoula, MT
• Rose Macklin, Pharm. D., BCPS, Clinical Pharmacist: Partners In Home Care, Missoula, MT
• Shelli Fortune, MSW, In-Home Services Director: Missoula Aging Services, Missoula, MT
• Connie Bauer, MPH, OTR/L, Missoula, MT

OBJECTIVES

At the conclusion of this program, the participant should be able to:

• Differentiate different types of dementias in older adults experiencing cognitive impairment.
• Develop appropriate treatment plan for different types of dementia.
• Describe appropriate medication management for dementia and related behaviors, including monitoring parameters for continued treatment versus when deprescribing is warranted.
• Analyze the factors contributing to the resilience of individuals living with dementia, examining the emotional, social and personal aspects that influence the dementia journey.
• Apply newfound insights from personal narratives to critically evaluate and challenge societal perceptions, fostering empathy and inclusivity towards individuals living with dementia.
• Explain the impact of frequent transitions of care and options available for individuals living with dementia and how to minimize them. 
• Identify nonpharmacological behavioral interventions and discuss available caregiver support options.
• Create holistic care plans that integrate the 4Ms of Age-Friendly Healthcare to address the unique needs of patients with dementia.

Target Audience 

This continuing education program is designed for nurses, nursing home administrators, occupational therapists, pharmacists, physicians, physician assistants, psychologists, physical therapists, social workers, tribal health administrators and practitioners, and other health care providers working in geriatric care and education.

This program is also designed for those on the dementia journey, including families, caregivers, and community members.

Accreditation Information for Pharmacists

The Skaggs School of Pharmacy at the University of Montana is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. This knowledge based program is approved for 6.0 contact hours for pharmacists. The Universal Activity Number for this program is 0035-9999-24-016-L01-P. Participants who attend the entire program confirmed by sign-in sheet or Zoom report and complete the program evaluation & other requirements will receive 6.0 hours (0.60 CEU) of ACPE continuing education credit; this credit will be uploaded to CPE Monitor within 60 days after the program.

Certificates of Completion 

Certificates of Completion will be issued for participants who complete the following:

• Email address provided at registration
• Attendance for entire program confirmed by sign-in sheet or zoom report
• Presentation Evaluations and Overall Conference Evaluation submitted

Disclosure

Conference planners, faculty and others in control of content did not receive payment or services from a third party for any aspect of this activity and have no relationships (financial or other) with entities or activities that could be perceived to influence, or that give the appearance of potentially influencing, any portion of this activity.

Program Directors

Sue Ostertag, PT, DPT, NCS, MTGEC Director

Renee Brooksbank, JD, MA, LNHA, MTGEC Associate Director

Questions?

Contact the MTGEC office: montana.gec@umontana.edu or (406) 243-2339

The Montana Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program (MGWEP) is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), as part of an award totaling $3,750,000 which supports the program 100%. The contents are those of the presenters and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.