Session Description

Session Time(s)

CE Credits

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

Stephen Brown, Senior National Director - Wellness Services, EnerG by Aegis Therapies; Emily Ridgely, National Director of Training - Wellness Services, EnerG by Aegis Therapies

Health and wellbeing can be significantly impacted by the availability of well-rounded programming offered in senior living communities. All too often, you see communities that are limited to the traditional activities of bingo, birthdays, and bible study. This can lead to a decline in your residents overall independence, satisfaction, and health. By operationalizing your activity program through tracking/analyzing data, implementing a wide variety of offerings, and creating a strong interdisciplinary approach you will create a culture in your community that will focus on your resident’s quality of life regardless of dis/ability while also improving your operational success and marketability.

Session Objectives:

• Understand the importance of a balanced activities and wellness program and the impact it has on residents overall health.
• Learn how to close the gap between the identification of resident/community needs and the implementation of programmatic solutions.
• Walk away with next steps, useful tools, and sample programming that will help initiate positive changes and outcomes in your community.

9:45 - 10:35 AM

Growth Playbook: Scaling to Surf the Silver Tsunami

Matt Mulé, Director, Senior Living Finance, Ziegler

The incoming wave of older adults is finally making landfall. This presents both an unprecedented opportunity and a defining test for not-for-profit senior living organizations. Growth is no longer optional – it is mission-critical. As demographic momentum accelerates and consumer expectations continue to evolve, providers must expand beyond traditional models and embrace new pathways to scale.
Anchored in the latest industry trends and demographic realities, this session explores how organizations can expand into new growth platforms while responding to evolving consumer expectations and competitive pressures.
This session will also examine innovative financing structures and review current capital market conditions.

Session Objectives:

• Identify emerging industry trends shaping the future of not-for-profit senior living.
• Assess innovative growth strategies from traditional brick-and-mortar solutions to alternative service lines.
• Examine creative financing models and capital strategies that support expansion while managing risk.

Protecting Your SNF From Reimbursement Audits & Denials

Annette Redhair, DPT, RAC-CT, Director of Operational Excellence, Ascension Living

Skilled nursing facilities are facing increasing risk of reimbursement audits and denials as CMS, OIG, Medicare contractors and payers intensify oversight under PDPM. A recent OIG audit (Pinnacle) illustrates the severity of this risk - finding a 99% error rate and over $31 million in extrapolated overpayments, primarily due to incorrect HIPPS coding, insufficient documentation and lack of clearly supported skilled need. SNF providers must understand the major types of audits, monitor key compliance and documentation metrics and establish a structured internal audit and response process.

Session Objectives

• Understand the current state of urgency related to reimbursement audits and denials.
• Identify the key landscape of audit types, focus areas and enforcements.
• Participate in a Case Study review of trends.
• Take home action items, key metrics to monitor and tools to protect your practice.

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

Jess Easterwood, LNHA, CMDCP, Executive Director of Assisted Living, Larksfield Place Retirement Communities

In healthcare, forgettable training isn’t harmless; it’s risky. When staff sit through another policy review, another slideshow, another “mandatory” in-service, and walk away remembering almost nothing, we tell ourselves we did our job. We covered it. We documented it. We checked the box. But if no one was truly engaged, nothing changed. This session pulls back the curtain on one of healthcare education’s biggest unspoken problems: most training is delivered, but very little is retained. In this bold, high-energy presentation, we’ll talk about why engagement is the difference between information that’s heard and learning that actually sticks. You’ll explore the science behind how the brain learns, why traditional training methods fail even the best teams, and what happens when people are invited to participate instead of just sit and listen. This is not about making training “cute” or entertaining for the sake of fun. It’s about using engagement strategically so staff remember what matters when it matters, on the floor, in the moment, with real people depending on them. You’ll leave with practical, ready-to-use tools, techniques, and ideas to transform required education into something your team actually connects with. From simple shifts that increase participation to creative approaches that make content memorable, you’ll learn how to turn routine training into meaningful learning experiences that carry over into practice. If you’re tired of watching eyes glaze over, tired of repeating the same education again and again, and ready to create training that people don’t just attend but remember, this session will challenge the way you think about learning — and give you the confidence to do it differently.

• Explain why traditional “cover-the-content” training methods fail to produce lasting learning and identify the risks this creates in healthcare settings.
• Describe key principles of how the brain encodes, stores, and retrieves information—and connect these principles to practical training design choices.
• Differentiate between passive instruction and true engagement, and evaluate how engagement influences retention and on-the-job application.
• Apply simple, evidence-informed engagement strategies to transform mandatory training into memorable, practice-changing learning experiences.

 1.5 Admin

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

Morgan Chilson, Kansas Reflector

A crisis communications plan is a critical document for all organizations. It's a document that morphs over time and should be reconsidered annually. Learn what a crisis communications plan is, how to begin developing one for your organization, and why the messages you convey during an emergency make a significant difference.

• Learn what a crisis communications plan is and why it's important.
• Learn the components of a crisis communications plan.
• Learn how to begin putting a crisis communications plan together for your organization.
• Understand how to think about and create messaging during a crisis at your organization.

Session Description

Session Time(s)

CE Credits

10 Be Bold Fundraising Best Practices

Chris Keeshan, Founder, CKA; Sheri Cafer, Fundraising Strategist, CKA

This fast-paced, highly practical session introduces senior care professionals to the 10 Be BOLD Fundraising Best Practices—proven strategies designed to strengthen donor relationships, accelerate revenue, and build sustainable development systems. Tailored for leaders of aging service providers, this session focuses on simple, actionable tools anyone can begin using immediately. Participants will learn how to create a focused development plan, tell compelling impact-driven stories, cultivate donors with confidence, and make bold, transformative asks. The session also covers powerful systems for direct mail, grants, matching gifts, and stewardship, plus creative ways to create defining moments donors will never forget. Whether you’re new to fundraising or looking to elevate your current approach, you’ll leave energized, equipped, and ready to implement high-impact strategies that drive measurable results.

Session Objectives:

• Implement at least one new stewardship or cultivation practice within 30 days.
• Identify at least two new funding sources (grants, matching gifts, or appeals).
• Apply one “defining moment” strategy to enhance donor engagement.
• Develop a direct mail system (get started with CKA’s free newsletter template).

9:00 - 9:50 AM

11:25 AM - 12:15 PM

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

Russ Barker, MHA, Doctor of Health Sciences Candidate, Clinical Nutrition, Founder, Seagull Health

Up to 22% of residents with dementia experience seizure activity, yet most events are silent, non-convulsive, and frequently misdocumented as “behaviors” or “unexplained falls.” This clinical blind spot exposes senior living organizations to significant liability, unnecessary antipsychotic use, and avoidable ER transfers. In this session, we will examine the subtle, often-missed patterns of epileptiform activity—specifically staring spells, repetitive motor loops, and sudden shifts in awareness. Attendees will learn to distinguish these neurological events from typical dementia progression, apply specific observation techniques to improve clinical documentation, and implement a strategic review cycle to identify "mechanical falls" that may actually be seizure-induced drops. Gain the skills to move from reactive symptom management to proactive risk identification.

Session Objectives

• Identify the three most common non-convulsive seizure manifestations in dementia (staring, looping, and sudden confusion) that are often mislabeled as behavioral issues.
• Differentiate between the progression of dementia and potential epileptiform activity using specific observational criteria.
• Construct defensible documentation notes that convert vague descriptions (e.g., "zoning out") into clinically actionable data for physician review.
• Analyze facility incident data to distinguish between true mechanical falls and potential seizure-induced drops to reduce liability exposure.

11:25 AM - 12:15 PM

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

Nathan Spencer, LNHA, CEO/Administrator, Sunshine Meadows Retirement Community

This session explores how senior living providers can strengthen continuity of care by supporting residents who wish to remain in place as their needs change. Using the STAY Your Way framework as a case example, the discussion will focus on aligning housing, services, and care coordination to reduce disruption, improve resident experience, and support operational sustainability. Attendees will gain practical insights into integrating flexible care pathways without compromising mission or quality.

Session Objectives: 

• Identify key components of an integrated continuum of care that support aging in place within senior living communities.
• Explain how flexible care models, such as a “stay your way” approach, can reduce resident transitions and improve continuity of care.
• Evaluate common operational and care-coordination challenges associated with supporting residents as needs change.
• Compare traditional transition-based care pathways with integrated, resident-centered care approaches and their impact on outcomes and experience.
• Apply at least two practical considerations or strategies for aligning services, staffing, and care planning to support continuity of care within their organization.

9:00 - 9:50 AM

1:00 - 1:50 PM

 1.0 Admin

HIPAA Hot Takes for 2026

Brooke Bennett Aziere, Partner & Healthcare Law Practice Group Chair, Foulston Siefkin, LLP

Session Objectives:

• Review HIPAA Privacy and Security proposed rules signaled by the Trump Administration to be finalized in 2026.
• Understand the effect of these new rules on the various parts of your organization, including policies, security, information technology, medical records, and business associate management.
• Learn what you may need to consider as you prepare your organization for implementation of these rules.

Managing Risk Through Expanded AI Utilization in Aging Services

Jim Staed, MHA, MBA, ARM, AINS, Vice President, EPIC Senior Living

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly embedded in Aging Services organizations, from care delivery tools to back-office functions, leaders must understand not only the potential benefits but also the emerging risks associated with AI adoption. This session explores how AI is reshaping Aging Services, benefits it provides towards risk mitigation, the vulnerabilities it introduces, and the operational challenges that come with it. Attendees will gain a balanced perspective on how to harness AI responsibly mitigating risk for residents, staff, and organizational integrity.

Session Objectives:

• Identify key areas where AI is being implemented in senior living and the associated risks to resident safety, data privacy, and care quality.
• Evaluate the operational implications of AI-driven decision-making in clinical and non-clinical settings.
• Develop strategies to mitigate AI-related risks through insurance, governance, staff training, and thoughtful integration into existing care models.

1:00 - 1:50 PM

3:00 - 3:50 PM

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

Jodi Eyigor, Senior Director, Nursing Home Quality & Health Regulation, LeadingAge

As the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) works with state survey agencies to improve consistency of nursing home enforcement across the nation, they are emphasizing the importance of considering psychosocial outcomes in residents. The psychosocial outcome can influence the severity level of the citation, even resulting in harm-level and immediate jeopardy citations. By familiarizing ourselves with what CMS means by “psychosocial outcomes,” we’ll be better positioned to provide high-quality care that meets regulatory compliance. 

Session Objectives:

• Explore the Psychosocial Outcomes Severity Guide and “reasonable person” concept.
• Identify common examples of psychosocial outcomes and which deficiencies could be most problematic.
• Discuss how these outcomes can elevate the severity of a deficiency and ways to mitigate impact and severity.

3:00 - 3:50 PM

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

Justin Harland, DPT, LNHA, CEO, Kansas Christian Home

In today's fast-paced world, self-care is essential not only for personal health and wellness but also for effectively supporting loved ones. This presentation explores practical wellness topics that benefit both individuals and their caregivers, emphasizing the critical role of maintaining physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Drawing on evidence-based research, we will highlight how prioritizing health can prevent burnout, reduce stress, and enhance overall quality of life.

Session Objectives:

• Identify at least three self-care strategies that reduce mortality.
• List four practical recommendations for promoting physical health.
• Apply at least two techniques for stress reduction.
• Develop a personalized self-care plan incorporating three recommendations.

11:25 AM - 12:15 PM

3:00 - 3:50 PM

From Citation to Compliance: Navigating CMS Antipsychotic Regulations

Trisha Chege, RN, Director of Nursing, Ascension Living Via Christi Village Ridge

This session will help nursing home administrators, directors of nursing, medical directors, quality improvement teams, and survey readiness coordinators understand key CMS regulatory requirements and quality expectations related to antipsychotic medication use and reduction strategies in long-term care settings. Attendees will leave with a toolkit to take home to guide their antipsychotic medication use and reduction.

Session Objectives:

• Interpret Core CMS Regulations governing the use of antipsychotic and psychotropic medications in nursing homes, including documentation requirements, indications for use, and Gradual Dose Reduction (GDR) expectations under the State Operations Manual (Appendix PP).
• Explain CMS Quality Measures related to antipsychotic use (Short-Stay and Long-Stay Antipsychotic Medication Measures) and how they influence facility Five-Star Quality Ratings and public reporting.
• Apply Best Practices for Reduction & Compliance, including non-pharmacological interventions, resident/family engagement, interdisciplinary review, and survey readiness documentation to ensure compliance and improve resident outcomes.