Agenda: Aging Empowerment Conference

Peggy Rynearson Updates

AGING EMPOWERMENT CONFERENCE, Thursday, June 14

8:30 – 9:45 am: Opening Session/Keynote Address

Are Older Adults Still Citizens?
Presenter: Dr. Simon Duffy, Director, Centre for Welfare Reform; Secretary, Citizen Network
about.me/simonduffy

A test of any decent society is how it respects the older generation. Are older people at the center of family and community life, or are they isolated or institutionalized? Can people set their own path, even when they need extra help, or are they forced to do what others think is best for them? While people with disabilities have demanded equal rights and self-determination, older people are often forced to accept lower standards. Dr Simon Duffy is both a philosopher and practitioner, who has worked for 30 years to develop ideas and systems to advance equal citizenship for all. Simon will explain what is happening around the world to enable people to be true citizens at any age, and whatever their needs. Simon will also explore how the idea of citizenship – which connects ancient Greece to the civil rights movement – must be central to solving the problems – and seizing the opportunities – ahead of us.

Duffy – When Do You Stop Being a Citizen

9:45 – 10:15 am: Visit Exhibits/Comfort Break

10:15-11:30 am: Breakout A (4 options)

A1. Technology: Wisdom and Warnings
Chris Patterson,  Night Owl Support Systems; Cindi Pichler, Senior Assistive Technology Specialist, IndependenceFirst

Learn about the range of products that can help people “age in place,” including not only the “latest and greatest”, but also the “tried and true.”  We will identify factors to consider when looking at adding technology to someone’s home, and the areas of the home where it can be most beneficial.  A selection of some of the more popular devices will be used for demonstration during the presentation.

Technology.1

Technology.2

Technology-Wisdom and Warnings

A2. Empowering Caregivers Across Cultures
Tasha Orr-Holmes, Community Partnership Specialist; Dave Verban, Senior Learning and Development Specialist; TMG; Beth Swedeen, Director, Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities

Self-directed, culturally competent, and person-centered support strategies enhance opportunities to meet the needs of people and caregivers in under-served communities.   This session will provide caregivers tips and tools for using these strategies throughout the care continuum.  Presenters will share experiences demonstrating how individuals and caregivers are successfully meeting the daily challenges of creating self-directed, community supports.

Culturally Competent Care

A3. Obmudsman (n) – A Partner in Raising your Voice in IRIS or Family Care
Kim Marheine, Ombudsmen Services Supervisor, State of Wisconsin Board on Aging and Long Term Care

In the last state budget, the Wisconsin Board on Aging and Long Term Care was granted authority to advocate for people age 60 and older in IRIS. Previously, there had been no formal advocacy for these consumers. Learn about the Ombudsman model, the hoped-for work with IRIS advocacy, some sample case complaints and their resolutions, and meet the staff ombudsman assigned to IRIS self-advocacy.

Aging Empowerment BOALTC Overview June 2018

A4. Advance Care Planning: Empowering Older Adults by Making their Health Care Wishes Known
Adrienne Allen, Organizational Development Specialist; Amy Allen, Quality Improvement Manager; Care Wisconsin

What if a sudden illness or injury left you unable to speak for yourself? Who would you want to speak for you? What would you want them to know about your values and wishes? Learn about Advance Care Planning, reflect on your own values, learn about choosing your own healthcare agent, explore your goals for treatment, and take the first steps toward completing an advance directive. This session will be a mix of community education and facilitated group discussion, focusing on having a conversation with those who are important to you to ensure you are self-directing you care needs.

Advance Care Planning handout

11:30 – 12:30 pm: Lunch/Introduce Sponsors/Exhibitors/Empowerment Awards 

12:30 – 1:45 pm: Breakout B (4 options)

B1. Supported Decision Making: Preserving Empowerment
Mitchell Hagopian, Attorney, Disability Rights Wisconsin

This workshop focuses on Wisconsin’s new framework of supported decision-making (SDM). It provides adults with disabilities, of all ages, an opportunity to designate who they want as their “supporters.” The workshop addresses what SDM is, how it differs from other options and where to find more resources about it. This workshop will be presented using a combination of lecture, with time set aside for Q & A, and sharing of personal stories regarding how Wisconsin’s new Supported-Decision Making Agreements documents would have been/will be useful in their lives. The law formalizing SDM is expected to be signed into law by Summer 2018.

Training_WI_SDM_legislation_031518Intergenerational Housing – A Promising Strategy to Address the Workforce Challenge

B2. Challenging the Rise in Substance Abuse Among Older Adults
Skye Tikkanen, MS, CSAC, LPC, CS-IT, Drug Poisoning Prevention Program Manager, Safe Communities Madison-Dane County; Lee Clay, RN, BSN, Health Education Specialist, Preventive Health Strategies, ADRC of Waukesha County, Waukesha

Opioid use isn’t just a young person’s problem. It’s affecting older adults more than you think. This workshop examines the Opioid Epidemic affecting older adults; the physical and psychological response as people age; signs and symptoms including adverse effects; the different types of drugs prescribed and over-the counter dilemmas; medication management and proper disposition; overdose and treatment; and some best practices in place.

Challenging the Rise in Opioid use and the Older Adult(1)

B3. Dementia Capable Wisconsin: Department of Health Services 5-Year Dementia Plan
Carrie Molke, Director, Bureau for Aging and Disability Services, Division of Public Health, Wisconsin Department of Health Services

The Department of Health Services (DHS) is working with partners across the state to create priorities for a new Wisconsin State Plan for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia.
A recent Dementia Summit brought together key stakeholders to identify priorities for the new State Plan. Before the Dementia Summit, DHS conducted a public survey to get input from people with memory loss or dementia, family members and others who informally care for someone with memory loss or dementia, and professionals that work with those who have dementia and their families. Results of the 2018 Public Survey were reviewed by participants at the Dementia Summit to help them establish priorities in four major categories: care in communities, health care, dementia-related crisis response, and facility-based care. Come learn what the plan is to keep moving toward a Dementia Capable Wisconsin.

B4. Taking Charge: Navigating Health Care Transitions
Kate Schilling, Attorney, Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources

Often times, people are admitted into a hospital or skilled nursing facility during a period of crisis. There are a lot of forms to sign, and insurance matters to figure out. This workshop will help patients and their caregivers understand crucial rights, procedures, and insurance coverage issues when moving between hospitals, home care, skilled nursing facilities, and assisted living facilities.

Health Care Transitions

1:45 – 2:15 pm: Ice Cream Social

2:15 – 3:30 pm: Breakout C (4 options)

C1. Keeping a Balanced Life and “Stepping On”
Ruth Meyer, Physical Therapist; Jennifer Wallskog, Physical Therapist; Safe Communities Coalition of Madison – Dane County

Stepping On, a program developed in Australia, incorporates small group adult learning principles facilitating participants’ exploration of options and barriers to putting safety strategies into practice. The goal is to assist the older adult in taking control, exploring different coping strategies, and encouraging follow through on strategies to prevent falls in everyday life. This presentation will involve active attendee participation.

Keeping a Balanced Life and Stepping On

C2. Before the After
Sara Wrobel, Before the After Facilitator

Before the After utilizes a folder of fifteen planning sheets for individuals to prepare their final wishes relating to preparing and celebrating a life’s end. The packet is designed to share with your executor, family or friends the details of what you want and alleviate uncertainty and stress for them. (Planning Folder is available for $10 each).

C3. Honoring Choices: Balancing Rights, Self-Determination and Risk
Kim Marheine, Ombudsmen Services Supervisor, State of Wisconsin Board on Aging and Long Term Care

What’s the right thing to do? It’s a constant question when juggling decisions, considering the wishes and rights of a person and balancing risk. This session will facilitate a discussion of the benefits and challenges of honoring choices.

Aging Empowerment Honoring Choices June 2018

C4: Intergenerational Housing: A Promising Strategy to Address the Workforce Challenge
Joe Gallagher, Architectural Associate, JLA Architects

The shortage of direct care staff is one of the toughest challenges facing older adults who would like to remain at home, but need caregiving. Intergenerational housing is a model that has been successfully utilized in other countries; join us for a discussion of how we might implement a model in Wisconsin.

Intergenerational Housing – A Promising Strategy to Address the Workforce Challenge

3:30 – 4:15 pm: Reflections on the Day

4:15 – 6:00 pm: Networking Reception
Featuring: Artworking Pop-Up Shop!

BUILDING STRONG MOMENTS FOR CHANGE, Advocacy Summit, Friday, June 15

8:30 am: Welcome, Focus and Format of Summit

8:45 am: Briefing: 5 Key Strategies for Strengthening Citizenship and Empowerment of Older Adults

9:15 am: Reactor Panel: Focusing the Key Strategies on Wisconsin

10:00 am: Comfort Break

10:15 am: Facilitated Small Group Work: Choosing an Issue

11:25 am: Reporting Out to Large Group

12:10 pm: Summary – and Looking Forward

12:30 pm: Adjourn