KED Agenda

At-A-Glance Agenda

Session Information

8:10 – 9:20 AM | Morning Keynote 

Advancing the Science: The Latest in Alzheimer’s and Dementia Research
Speaker: Chris Weber, PhD

Learning Objectives:
 Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to:

• Describe recent scientific advancements in Alzheimer’s and dementia research.
• Identify emerging strategies in prevention, early detection, diagnostics, and treatment.
• Explain the role of research organizations, including the Alzheimer’s Association, in advancing dementia science.

Alzheimer’s disease is a global health concern affecting more than 6 million individuals in the United States. This keynote examines recent advances in the science and biology of Alzheimer’s and related dementias and their implications for clinical practice, caregiving, and public health.

9:40 – 11:00 AM | Breakout Session 1

101: Aging and AI

*THIS SESSION WILL BE LIVESTREAMED*

Speaker: Ricky Boyer, Textron — Board Member

Learning Objectives:
 Participants will be able to:

• Identify applications of artificial intelligence in aging services and dementia care.
• Discuss ethical considerations related to technology use in care coordination.
• Evaluate opportunities for integrating AI tools within Kansas aging networks.

This forward-looking session explores how artificial intelligence is transforming aging services and dementia care. Participants will examine real-world applications of AI that support care delivery, improve outcomes, and enhance quality of life for older adults. The session will also address important ethical considerations, including privacy, bias, and responsible use of technology in care coordination.

102: Self-Care for Caregivers

Learning Objectives:
 Participants will be able to:

• Recognize signs of burnout and understand how to differentiate between normal stress and when to seek help.
• Implement self-care strategies to support resilience.
  

Learn to identify their limitations and communicate their needs in order to continue providing effective care.

103: Integrating Brain Health & Risk Reduction Strategies in the Community: A Panel Discussion

Learning Objectives:
 Participants will be able to:

• Explore the role of key stakeholders to serve as trusted messengers
• Identify opportunities to incorporate brain health messaging into existing community health activities and outreach
• Identify strategies to strengthen partnerships to optimize community-level change

This facilitated panel discussion offers real-world perspectives on brain health and risk reduction as a public health priority, collaboration, and community responsiveness.

11:20 AM – 12:40 PM | Breakout Session 2

201: Navigating the Dementia Care Legal Maze: Strategies for Asset Protection, Qualifying for Benefits, Choosing the Right Facility, and Essential Legal Documents

Speaker: Jenny Walters

Learning Objectives:
 Participants will be able to:

• Identify key legal documents relevant to dementia care planning.
• Explain guardianship, power of attorney, and advance directives.
• Locate publicly available legal resources for Kansas families.

Planning for long-term care involves important financial and legal decisions. This session will cover practical strategies for asset protection, qualifying for available benefits, selecting the right care facility, and preparing the essential legal documents needed for peace of mind.

202: Fundamentals of Person-Centered Care

*THIS SESSION WILL BE LIVESTREAMED*

Speakers: Emily Waddington, MSW, LISW

Learning Objectives:
 Participants will be able to:

• Define principles of person-centered dementia care.
• Apply Alzheimer’s Association Dementia Care Practice Recommendations.
• Implement evidence-based approaches in long-term and community-based settings.
• Designed for professional care providers supporting individuals living with dementia and their families.

It is more important than ever for professional care providers to discover and implement the latest approaches to evidence-based, person-centered care. This session will introduce the Alzheimer's Association's Dementia Care Practice Recommendations and will hone in on person-centered care in long term care settings. This presentation is most impactful for professional care providers who work with individuals living with dementia and their families in long-term and community-based care settings.

203: Professional Panel — Collaborative Dementia Care

Panelists:

• Jennifer Campbell- Via Christi Hope Understanding PACE: A Whole-Person Approach to Aging Care
• Jenna Smith -Phoenix Home Care & Hospice - Loss Before Death: Grief and Meaning at the End of Life in Alzheimer’s
• Jenny Shipman KDADS - Meeting People Where They Are: The KRAD Program in Action

Learning Objectives:
 Participants will be able to:

• Understand the Pace Program
• Recognize coping mechanisms in regards to grief
• Learn about how the KRAD respite grant works and is helping many families in Kansas

This engaging panel session brings together professionals from across the dementia care continuum to explore collaborative approaches that better support individuals and families. Panelists will introduce participants to the PACE Program and its role in delivering comprehensive, community-based care. Attendees will also gain insight into recognizing and supporting healthy coping mechanisms related to grief, an essential aspect of dementia care. Additionally, the session will highlight how the KRAD respite grant is making a meaningful impact for families across Kansas by expanding access to critical respite services. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of available resources and practical strategies to enhance coordinated, compassionate care.

1:50 – 3:10 PM | Breakout Session 3

301: Navigating Senior Care: Practical Guidance for Families and Professionals

*THIS SESSION WILL BE LIVESTREAMED*

Speaker: Brenda Mahan

Learning Objectives:
 Participants will be able to:

• Identify key components of the senior care continuum, including in-home care, assisted living, and long-term care options.
• Apply practical decision-making frameworks from Navigating Senior Care to support older adults and their families during care transitions.
• Adapt communication and care-planning strategies to meet the emotional, cultural, and practical needs of diverse aging populations.

This informative session provides a clear roadmap for understanding and navigating the senior care continuum. Participants will explore key components of care options, including in-home services, assisted living, and long-term care, gaining a comprehensive view of available supports.

CEU Alignment: Health promotion; prevention; wellness education.

302: Building Brain-Healthy Strategies

Learning Objectives:
 Participants will be able to:

• Explain how taking care of brain health is important now and throughout your life.
  
• Recognize the actions and habits that can help protect and improve brain health.
• Make an individualized brain-health action plan.

This engaging session highlights the importance of prioritizing brain health at every stage of life. Participants will learn why maintaining cognitive well-being matters now and in the future, and explore evidence-based actions and daily habits that can help protect and strengthen brain function. The session will also guide attendees in creating a personalized brain-health action plan, equipping them with practical strategies to support long-term cognitive wellness for themselves and those they serve.

303: From Disparities to Action: Reducing Inequities in Dementia Caregiving Among Latino Families

Speaker: Jaime Perales Puchalt, PhD

Learning Objectives:
 Participants will be able to:

• Recognize major disparities in dementia prevalence, caregiving burden, and access to care among Latino families and other diverse populations in the United States.
• Describe key conceptual and theoretical frameworks used to understand and address dementia-related health and caregiving inequities.
• Increase awareness of culturally tailored, community-based programs designed to reduce dementia caregiving disparities among Latino families and improve caregiver outcomes.

 This session will describe how dementia impacts some groups disproportionately, and will discuss the specific case of dementia caregiving disparities in the Latino community.

3:30 – 4:50 p.m. | Afternoon Keynote 

Protecting the Vulnerable: Recognizing Scams and Strengthening Collaboration to Prevent Exploitation
Speaker: George McCrary, Kansas Attorney General’s Office

Learning Objectives:
 Participants will be able to:

• Identify common scams targeting vulnerable adults.
• Recognize risk factors for exploitation.
• Describe cross-sector strategies to prevent abuse and fraud.
  

This keynote emphasizes prevention, professional responsibility, and collaborative approaches to safeguarding vulnerable populations.

4:50 – 5:00 p.m. | Promise Garden Ceremony & Closing Comments