Promotional banner for LeadingAge Kansas Spring Conference. Text reads “Change Makers” and “Together, we shape the future of aging.” Event details: Manhattan Conference Center, April 8–9, 2026, Manhattan, KS. Three seated individuals are shown, with one holding the sign. Background features teal brick wall with yellow accents and the LeadingAge Kansas logo.

This Spring, Change Starts with You!

Join us in Manhattan on April 8 & 9, 2026 to celebrate the spirit of aging services, connect with and learn from your peers, explore innovative business solutions, and engage with industry experts.  

Blue rectangular button with white text that reads “Registration.”Blue rectangular button with white text that reads “Breakout Sessions.”Blue rectangular button with white text that reads “Keynotes & General Sessions.”

 April 8, 2026 | Day 1 

*Sessions Led by a LeadingAge Kansas Provider

7:00 - 8:00 AM                                      

Registration

Continuing Education

8:00 - 8:15 AM 

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Rachel Monger, LeadingAge Kansas

 

8:15 - 9:35 AM

Opening Keynote

Optimizing Results in Aging Services Through Self-Awareness

Tammy Rogers, BecomeMore Group

Session Sponsored by CARF

1.5 Admin

9:45 - 10:35 AM      

Breakout Sessions     

Fostering Wellbeing: A Strategic and Data-Driven Approach to Diverse and Robust Activities and Wellness Planning

Stephen Brown, EnerG by Aegis Therapies; Emily Ridgely, EnerG by Aegis Therapies

1.0 Res. Care

Growth Playbook: Scaling to Surf the Silver Tsunami

Matt Mulé, Ziegler

1.0 Admin.

More Breakout Sessions Coming Soon!

10:35 - 11:05 AM

Solutions Expo

FEATURED EXPERIENCE: Interactive Aging Simulation

Join the K-State Center on Aging for an interactive aging simulation designed to build empathy and deepen understanding of the physical challenges many older adults face every day. Participants will navigate three hands-on stations: a mini grocery store experience using cataract simulation glasses that blur and dim vision, making it difficult to read labels and identify products; an object sorting challenge that combines visual impairment with reduced dexterity to simulate tasks like sorting laundry; and a post-stroke simulation where you'll attempt activities of daily living (ADLs) while experiencing physical limitations. If you come early, you can try out the full age simulation suit. This is on a first come first serve basis.

 

11:10 AM - 12:00 PM

General Session

The Wisdom on Wheels Journey

Jack York

1.5 Admin

12:00 - 1:00 PM

Networking Lunch & Expo

 

FEATURED EXPERIENCE: Walking in Their Shoes: Parkinson's Disease Simulation Experience

 

Ever wondered how Parkinson's affects movement, speech, and emotion? This hands-on experience allows you to experience what daily life might feel for someone living with Parkinson's by rotating through four simulation stations, experiencing tremors, rigidity, and cognitive strain. This is facilitated by a KSU gerontology student who is conducting a brief survey before the experience and after.

 

 

1:00 - 1:30 PM

LeadingAge Kansas Business Meeting

 

1:30 - 1:50 PM

Expo Prizes 

 

2:00 - 3:20 PM

General Session

Thinking: The Missing Workplace Skill

Tammy Rogers, BecomeMore Group

1.5 Admin

3:40 - 5:00 PM

Breakout Sessions

Protecting Your SNF from Reimbursement Audits and Denials*

Annette Redhair, DPT, RAC-CT, Ascension Living

1.5 Admin

Wait! What? Planning for a Communications Crisis Before It Happens

Morgan Chilson, Kansas Reflector

1.5 Admin

Make It Stick or Stop Calling It Training: Because "We Covered It" Isn't Engagement, It's Excuse-Making

Jess Easterwood, Larksfield Place Retirement Community

1.5 Admin

5:00 - 6:30 PM 

Mix & Mingle Social Hour

Featuring Wandering Magician Jack Reid

 


April 9, 2026 | Day 2

8:00 - 9:00 AM

Breakfast & Registration

Light Breakfast & Registration 

Breakfast Sponsored by Sunshine Meadows Retirement Community 

Continuing Education

 KING Members Only - KING Breakfast & Annual Meeting

 

  

9:00 - 9:50 AM                                                

Breakout Sessions        

10 Be BOLD Fundraising Best Practices

Chris Keeshan, CKA; Sheri Cafer, CKA

1.0 Admin

Subtle Seizures, Serious Risk: The Dementia-Related Blind Spot Undermining Safety & Compliance

Russ Barker, Seagull Health

1.0 Res. Care

Integrating Continuum of Care: The Value of STAY Your Way for Senior Living Providers*

Nathan Spencer, Sunshine Meadows Retirement Community

1.0 Admin

HIPAA Hot Takes for 2026

Brooke Bennett Aziere, Foulston Siefkin, LLP

  1.0 Admin

10:00 - 11:15 AM

General Session

Updates from the Capitol Cities

Lacey Hunter, KDADS; Rebecca Hedrick, KDADS; Jodi Eyigor, LeadingAge

1.5 Admin

11:25 AM - 12:15 PM

Breakout Sessions

10 Be BOLD Fundraising Best Practices

Chris Keeshan, CKA; Sheri Cafer, CKA

1.0 Admin

Subtle Seizures, Serious Risk: The Dementia-Related Blind Spot Undermining Safety & Compliance

Russ Barker, Seagull Health

1.0 Res. Care

Nurturing Wellness: Self-Care for You and Those You Care For*

Justin Harland, DPT, LNHA, Kansas Christian Home

1.0 Admin

More Breakout Sessions Coming Soon!

  

12:15 - 1:00 PM

Networking Lunch

  

1:00 - 1:50 PM

Breakout Sessions

Managing Risk Through Expanded AI Utilization in Aging Services

Jim Staed, EPIC Senior Living

1.0 Admin

Psychosocial Regulations: How Harm and Severity are Determined and How to Avoid Deficiencies in Your Nursing Home Services

Jodi Eyigor, LeadingAge

1.0 Admin

Integrating Continuum of Care: The Value of STAY Your Way for Senior Living Providers*

Nathan Spencer, Sunshine Meadows Retirement Community

1.0 Admin

From Citation to Compliance: Navigating CMS Antipsychotic Regulations*

Trisha Chege, Ascension Living Via Christi Village Ridge

1.0 Res. Care

2:00 - 2:50 PM

Closing Keynote

Go and Grow Forward

Trooper Ben Gardner

1.0 Admin

3:00 - 3:50 PM

Breakout Sessions

Managing Risk Through Expanded AI Utilization in Aging Services

Jim Staed, EPIC Senior Living

1.0 Admin

Psychosocial Regulations: How Harm and Severity are Determined and How to Avoid Deficiencies in Your Nursing Home Services

Jodi Eyigor, LeadingAge

1.0 Admin

Nurturing Wellness: Self-Care for You and Those You Care For*

Justin Harland, DPT, LNHA, Kansas Christian Home

1.0 Admin
 

CONTINUING EDUCATION

The 2026 Spring Conference and Expo is approved for up to 16.5 continuing education clock hours for Licensed Adult Care Home Administrators, Adult Care Home Operators and Dietitians by the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services with 11.5 hours approved in the core of Administration and 5.0 hours possible in the core of Resident Care. Provider number (LTS A0009). If the entire conference is attended an additional 5.0 elective hours will be awarded.

LeadingAge Kansas is approved as a provider of continuing nursing education by the Kansas State Board of Nursing. This course offering is approved for up to 11.5 contact hours applicable for APRN, RN, LPN or LMHT relicensure. Kansas State Board of Nursing provider number: LT0102-1116.

*All other disciplines will receive a certification of attendance.
*Continuing education hours are subject to change.

*Continuing education hours are subject to change.
*Dates and Times are subject to change.