Conference Schedule
 
Breakfast, Awards & Keynote: 8:30 am to 10:00 am
Keynote Presentation: Wisdom on Wheels Journey by Jack York, Chief Storyteller, TaleGate The Wisdom on Wheels Journey is a one-of-a-kind session that encapsulates the essence of adventure, human connection, and storytelling. This session will present the idea and purpose of the journey, and discuss the lessons learned of resiliency, joy, gratitude and faith among the elders interviewed. The Wisdom on Wheels Journey is a powerful message to deliver to the dedicated senior living profession. Almost everyone working within communities has a connection to an elder that got them into the profession in the first place, this session recreates those connections. By sharing this heartwarming and enlightening journey, we hope to inspire senior living leaders to ensure that capturing the stories of the elders becomes an expectation within their communities. 
Tradeshow: 10:30am to 11:30 am 
Education Track A: 11:30 am to 12:30 pm 
A1: The Do's and Don'ts of Documentation 

Presenter: Jamie Belezarian, Innovations Healthcare
Session description will be available soon.

Available CEUs: 1.0 Nursing CE, 1.0 General CE

A2: The Changing Face of Seniors: Who Will Fill Tomorrow’s Communities

Presenter: Jessica Ruhle, Creating Results
By 2030, one in five Americans will be over 65, driving major cultural changes in senior living. Using proprietary research and national data, this session examines four forces shaping the future: increasing diversity, working seniors, a growing LGBTQ+ population, and evolving family dynamics. Attendees will gain actionable insights into how these trends are changing resident expectations, demand, and decision-making. Through data and real-world examples, participants will learn how to adapt design, services, and marketing to create inclusive, flexible, and future-ready communities—while strengthening their brand, financial sustainability, and sense of belonging.

Available CEUs: 1.0 RI NHA

A3: From Tension to Trust: Communication Skills for Healthcare Professionals

Presenter: Lisa Wasson, HopeHealth
This dynamic session for long-term care professionals focuses on strengthening communication skills and navigating complex family dynamics. Participants will learn to recognize common communication challenges between clinicians, patients, and families, as well as understand emotional, cultural, and decision-making factors that influence family interactions. The session will also demonstrate practical, evidence-based techniques to improve communication, manage difficult situations, reduce conflict, and enhance patient outcomes and family satisfaction.

Available CEUs: 1.0 RI SW

Lunch & Raffles: 12:30 pm to 1:15 pm 
Education Track B: 1:30 pm to 2:00 pm 
B1: Nursing Home Regulatory Updates and Survey Trends for 2026 - Part 1

Presenter: Pam Bibeault, Tirad Consulting
Are we ready for survey? It’s a question all nursing homes have to ask, even facilities that are continually assessing their own systems for quality improvement. From resident care, medication management, and infection prevention to food service and emergency preparedness, every survey area brings its own set of criteria, and keeping up with changes from year to year can be challenging. This 2-hour session is designed to review survey “hot topics” and trends. You will learn about frequently cited tags and gain tips and strategies to help you achieve an optimal survey outcome. Scope and Severity will be reviewed as well as the Informal Dispute Resolution (IDR) and Independent Informal Dispute Resolution (IIDR) processes.

Available CEUs: 1.0 Nursing

B2: Crisis Management: Handling Media and Community Relations in a Crisis - Part 1

Presenter: Sarah Dell, Advocacy Solutions
Session description will be available soon.

Available CEUs: 1.0 RI NHA

B3: Managing Problem Behaviors in Dementia Care

Presenter: Pamela Atwood, LPC, MA, CDP/CADDCT, Atwood Dementia Group
Understanding behavioral expressions as a form of communication is essential for maintaining well-being in dementia care. This session will help participants understand the scientific background of behavioral manifestations and common causes of emotional distress. The presenter will also share her JAGUAR! approach, an effective approach to redirecting people living with dementia and minimizing behaviors.

Available CEUs: 1.0 RI SW

Education Track C: 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm  
C1: Nursing Home Regulatory Updates and Survey Trends for 2026 - Part 2

Presenter: Pam Bibeault, Tirad Consulting
Are we ready for survey? It’s a question all nursing homes have to ask, even facilities that are continually assessing their own systems for quality improvement. From resident care, medication management, and infection prevention to food service and emergency preparedness, every survey area brings its own set of criteria, and keeping up with changes from year to year can be challenging. This 2-hour session is designed to review survey “hot topics” and trends. You will learn about frequently cited tags and gain tips and strategies to help you achieve an optimal survey outcome. Scope and Severity will be reviewed as well as the Informal Dispute Resolution (IDR) and Independent Informal Dispute Resolution (IIDR) processes.

Available CEUs: 1.0 Nursing

C2: Crisis Management: Handling Media and Community Relations in a Crisis - Part 2

Presenter: Sarah Dell, Advocacy Solutions
Session description will be available soon.

Available CEUs: 1.0 RI NHA

C3: How to Put Your Data to Work: Data Analytics for Aging Services Providers

Presenter: Matthew Anderson and Sarah Taylor, CliftonLarsenAllen (CLA)
Aging services providers are collecting more data than ever, but are you using it to its full potential? As analytics tools become more advanced, organizations can turn raw data into actionable insights that improve care quality, increase efficiency, and support smarter decision making. This session explores key data types including clinical, financial, claims, and administrative data and how they can be leveraged to personalize care, streamline operations, and allocate resources more effectively, featuring a case study of a LeadingAge Connecticut & Rhode Island member that successfully advanced its digital strategy through data analytics.

Available CEUs: 1.0 RI NHA

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