Long Term Care Conference 2014 Highlights

2014 Conference a Tremendous Success!

200 Attend Conference
22 Sponsors Showcased Long-Term Care Services
Outstanding Slate of Long-Term Care Experts for Keynotes and Breakout Sessions

Thank you for joining us for the 3rd Annual Changing Landscape of Long Term Care Conference on June 13, 2014. This all-day conference at the St. Louis Marriott West brought together 200 professional long-term caregivers with individuals and families from the community to learn dynamic strategies, innovative tools and available long-term care options. View Event Flyer. Participants visited with 22 sponsors who showcased long-term care services across Greater St. Louis. In addition to hearing thought-provoking speakers, facility administrators and social workers earned 7 CEUs. View Complete Program Guide.

"That was my first time attending and it was very informative, well organized and a very wholesome experience. I really hated when it ended. I heard others talk about how they wished it was more than just a day." Conference Attendee

Morning Keynote

200 attendees heard a panel of innovators who are involved with visionary work for providing long-term care in three different care settings: View Complete Program Guide

Arthur J. Culbert, chair of the STL Village Exploratory Committee, talked about the Village movement as a groundbreaking model of aging and way of life. STL Village is designed to help older adults with home repairs, lawn care, transportation needs and grocery shopping in their own community.

Timothy G. Dolan, CEO and President of Dolan Residential Care Centers, discussed their revolutionary concept that is meeting the needs of those with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias by providing a safe, supportive and flexible environment for each resident.

Byron Freeman, BS, LNHA, shared how Loch Haven is on the cutting edge of person-centered care with its neighborhoods and cottages for skilled care replicating the heart of the "home" with open kitchens and dining areas, large hearth areas, private bedrooms and baths, sun porches and more.

"It was such a well-orchestrated conference and I was grateful to hear of it and be able to attend." Attendee

Luncheon Keynote

Jane Overall, M.Ed., Community Health Education Coordinator, The Oasis Institute, led the luncheon crowd on an energetic "get out of your seat" presentation to demonstrate the critical role of exercise to keep us healthy and active as we age.

A key focus was on preventing age-related muscle loss and falls to keep us as independent as possible. Attendees got their heart beat up through simple yet effective exercises.

"Please add me to your email list. I found out about it the week of the conference from listening to the news. I don't want to miss next year's conference. Thank you. It is a very well needed conference and I learned a lot that I didn't know." Conference Attendee

Breakout Sessions

Participants attended four breakout sessions throughout the day organized into two tracks for Professionals and members of the Community.

Professional Track

Caregiving at Its Best: Learning key strategies to enhance your skills in long-term care.

Balancing Protective Oversight with Residents' Rights by Sam Plaster, State Culture Change Coordinator, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and Teresa Buehler, MSW, LCSW, Regional Ombudsman Coordinator, VOYCE
How to Compassionately Provide Care When Residents' Behaviors are Difficult: The Do's and Don'ts by Zoe Dearing, Professional Education Coordinator, Alzheimer’s Association St. Louis Chapter and LaDonna Haley, Director of Mental Health Information, Mental Health America of Eastern Missouri
Effective Communication with Families, Especially in Times of Conflict by Dr. Melissa A. Maier, Assistant Professor, Missouri State University, affiliated with Center for Dispute Resolution.
Enhanced Well-Being: Reducing Antipsychotic Drug Use For Long-Term Care Residents by Geriatric physician Charles Crecelius, M.D., Ph.D., a multi-facility medical director for Delmar Gardens communities in St. Louis, and Assistant Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics at Washington University School of Medicine.

I had a great learning experience at the Conference. I have learned a lot of information regarding case management as a social worker in a long-term care setting.

Community Track

Learn the Essentials: Hear from financial, legal and geriatric experts.

Planning for Long-Term Care: Where Do We Begin by Jeannie Krause-Taylor, Founder, Pathways for Aging, Mavis Kennedy, Certified Elder Law Attorney, Principal, South County Senior Law and Dennis B. Mertz, Attorney at Law, South County Senior Law
Choosing Care Alternatives to Remain Independent or Facility-Based Care by Katelyn Eichorst, BSW, VOYCEconnect Coordinator, VOYCE
Planning for End-of-Life Care: Having Those Difficult Discussions by Susan E. Pearson, D.O., Ph.D., CMD, the Medical Director for the Mercy Center for Palliative Care.
Live Life Well: Taking Care of the Caregiver by a team of experts from Friendship Village including a social worker, pastor, administrator, RN and director.

"I was a "general public" attendee and thought each breakout was very informative and interesting - demonstrating clearly the changing landscape of elder care." Conference Attendee

Long-Term Care Resource Exchange

The 200 attendees gained a wealth of information, CEU credits, or both during a full-day session, including access to 22 long-term care exhibitors to connect with community resources all in one place.

"All of the speakers were very knowledgeable and the sponsors were awesome. I plan to attend again next year." Conference Attendee

Sponsorship Benefits

Twenty-two sponsors gained access to 200 long-term care providers, individuals seeking long-term care and their families. By supporting the work of VOYCE, these organizations received excellent visibility through signage, recognition and printed material at the conference as well as advance exposure through VOYCE e-marketing, the VOYCE website and other online media platforms.

We thank our sponsors for their commitment to support educational programming for professionals and consumers of long-term care and their families. If you would like to be a sponsor for the 2015 conference, please contact VOYCE Executive Director, Mary Lynn Faunda Donovan, at 314-919-2401 and Learn More Here. Sponsorship Commitment Form.