Virtual Schedule...Coming Soon

Welcome and Opening: Molly McCarthy, Assistant Director, Division of Aging and Adult Services
Keynote Speakers: Kathy Greenlee, President and CEO Greenlee Global LLC
Breakout Sessions

1:30-2:30 pm
Breakout Session III
​2:30-3:00 pm
Networking Break
3:00-4:00 pm
Breakout Session IV

Breakout Sessions 

Advocacy in Long-Term Care Facilities 

Resident Advocacy: Involuntary Discharges 
Regan Smith, Area Agency on Aging, Region One
An overview of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program including how Ombudsmen represent resident rights related to involuntary discharges from skilled nursing and assisted living facilities. Examples of the failure of these facilities to readmit residents following hospitalizations and more will be provided.

Neglect Leading to Serious Bodily Injury and Death of 300 Elders in Long-Term Care Homes
Eilon Caspi PhD, Dementia Behavior Consulting LLC and Adjunct Faculty, School of Nursing, University of Minnesota
​Neglect of healthcare of elders in long-term care homes is a prevalent and disturbing form of elder mistreatment. This session will report on key findings from an exploratory study examining trajectories (sequence of significant events) leading to injurious and deadly neglect of 300 elders in assisted living residences and nursing homes in Minnesota. The dataset used in the study consists of investigation reports substantiated as neglect by the Minnesota Department of Health. The findings could inform efforts to prevent neglect and keep vulnerable and frail elders safe. In addition, the session will dedicate 5-10 minutes to report on findings from two small studies on financial exploitation and thefts of opioid pain medications in these care settings.

Emerging Issues with Older Adults​

Addressing the Opioid Epidemic through Evidence-Based Programming​
​Heidi Donniaquo, Lauren Friedman, Area Agency on Aging, Region One
The Area Agency on Aging, Region One, serving Maricopa County has implemented several innovative programs that address medication misuse, opioids and mental health. This presentation will focus on the programs they have developed which include an education presentation called RxMatters which focuses on proper use and safe disposal and storage of medications. It will also include information on two evidence-based programs-- Mental Health First Aid and Home Meds. 

Building Solutions Using Human Centered Design 
Natalia Ronceria Ceballos, The Solutions Hub, Valley of the Sun, United Way
Join us to learn how Human Centered Design can be used in your work and communities to build solutions for our elderly population. The Solutions Hub, Powered by Valley of the Sun United Way, is committed to using this highly iterative, and collaborative, process to create solutions that are data informed, community driven, are owned by the communities they are meant to serve, and ideally, lead us to true systems change. This won’t be your typical presentation! Prepare to participate and contribute as we explore how design is helping us build solutions to senior homelessness.
 
Connections Empower 
Joanne Conlin, Payson Senior Center Inc.
The elderly are often mobility isolated. This isolation can cause a person to become a victim of abuse.  Good public transportation options can empower the individual to get out, socialize and connect. In this presentation, the Chairperson of Payson Senior Center will share how her organization partnered with the community to create a new public transportation option in an underserved area of Gila County.

Hiding in Plain Sight – The Invisible Homeless Senior
Wendy Johnson, Justa Center 
A 2016 article in Justice in Aging, predicted that homelessness among seniors would “more than double by 2050 to nearly 93,000 nationally.” A recently released three-city study, has increased that national estimate to nearly 225,000 by 2026. While most locales won’t see this marked increase, Maricopa County is home of two of the top three cities in the nation for retirees. Elsewhere in the country, economic barriers, lack of local resources, and excessive homeless populations has made Maricopa County appear “affordable and better” to homeless seniors in the Pacific Northwest, Nevada, California and New Mexico creating a “snow-bird transient culture” where a bus ticket may improve their day-to-day existence but never result in a return to housing. In this session, we look at Maricopa County’s unique challenges related to zoning, developer incentives, and affordable housing. Including rapid rehousing, other temporary subsidies for seniors to retain housing, the cost of senior homelessness to the community and those who are homeless. Lastly, the unique challenges to being a senior and homeless and how to help.

Senior Homelessness Crisis - Panel Discussion
We are on the eve of a large crisis facing our seniors.  A larger than the average population is aging and as this population is facing retiring; their retirement accounts, social security, and disability payments are not increasing at all or not an equivalent rate that the housing prices and costs are.  This is creating an enormous gap leaving our seniors without homes.  This will be a panel of experts in the field of homelessness discussing the different interventions that are currently in the pipeline and in place to attempt to mitigate this issue before it becomes a crisis.   

Social Isolation: A Public Health Crisis
Mary Beals-Luedtka, Area Agency on Aging NACOG 
As human beings, we are social creatures and connection to others enables us to survive and thrive. This session will cover the current health crisis of social isolation and its profound effects on older adults. Learn about The Retirement Research Foundation Study and engage in a discussion on how to combat this increasing issue. 

Social Security Fraud in 2020
Jack Burnes, Social Security Administration
This session will discuss current scams related to Social Security, how to avoid falling victim to them and how to report them to Social Security.  In addition, we will discuss what Social Security’s role is in helping the community with identity theft and fraud including available resources. Signs of financial abuse and how Social Security handles cases where assistance with managing benefits is necessary will be highlighted.

Family Caregiving

Living Alone with Dementia: Addressing Challenges to Help Reduce Risks for Abuse
David W. Coon, PhD, Center for Innovation in Healthy & Resilient Aging, Arizona State University
Dementia capable systems demand that we address the needs of the growing number of people living alone (PLA) with dementia.  This presentation examines characteristics of PLA that differentiate them from other people living with dementia and also provides practical steps to address challenges experienced by PLA that may help reduce their risks for various types of abuse.
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Preventing Caregivers Compassion Fatigue
Dorothy J. Dunn PhD, RNP, FNP-BC, AHN-BC, CDP,  Northern Arizona University, School of Nursing, Associate Professor
Compassion Fatigue has been studied in a variety of health care professional disciplines. Recently, research has begun to examine how compassion fatigue manifests within the informal caregiver. This presentation will describe compassion fatigue and explore techniques in prevention of compassion fatigue, minimize stress while enhancing protective factors such as self-compassion, compassion energy, and resilience.

10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's 
Morgan Hartford, Alzheimer's Association 
Alzheimer’s and other dementia's cause changes in memory, thinking and behavior that interfere with daily life. Join us to learn about 10 common warning signs and what to watch for in yourself and others. Resources, early detection and how to approach someone with memory concerns will also be covered.

Integration and Risk Reduction of Vulnerable Populations

Prevention and Healthcare Advocacy for People with Cognitive Disabilities 
Melissa C. Kushner, MSW, Sonoran UCEDD (University Center for Excellence in Disabilities), University of Arizona
People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) develop Dementia just as other aging adults. However, people with Down syndrome are at higher risk for developing Alzheimer’s Dementia.  In this session, you will learn how dementia presents differently in the IDD population and the complexities of diagnosis and care for these individuals. We will discuss the importance of developing a baseline for behaviors in order to track symptoms, which empowers the caregiver by giving them actual data regarding any decline in functioning. Participants will also be given suggestions on how to prepare for medical appointments and how to talk to medical providers to ensure the adult with IDD and dementia gets the diagnosis and treatment they need.  
 
Can Planning Ahead Reduce the Risk of Abuse and Neglect? 
Lynne Tomasa, PhD., MSW, Sonoran UCEDD (University Center for Excellence in Disabilities) University of Arizona
We all think about the future and know it is something we need to do. Futures planning involves the person with a disability, family members, and individuals who provide support. It requires open communication and discussions about difficult topics. It is never too early to start thinking about the future and sharing what is important to the person. Clear communication and planning involves building a network of support that will understand when there are potential risks and harm to the individual. This session will address: a) how to stay person and family centered; b) how to start planning and who to involve; c) what needs to be known and why; d) how to build your network of support. A workbook developed by Dr. Lynne Tomasa at the Sonoran UCEDD will be provided to guide the discussion.

Dementia: The Public Safety Response - Tools for Intervention & Community Resources
Tracey Wilkinson, Scottsdale Police Department and Heather Mulder, Banner Alzheimer's Institute
Dementia's are diseases that affect the way a person thinks, communicates, remembers and behaves.  With the stress and burden put on the person and their care partner, they are more likely to encounter public safety personnel.  Through illustration of real-life scenarios, attendees will learn how to recognize an interaction involving a person with dementia as well as utilize and share specialized communication techniques and intervention strategies.  Attendees will also learn about local and national resources to help the person, their care partner and other public safety and behavioral health personnel.

Interpersonal Violence

Late Life Survivors of Sexual and Domestic Violence – Survivor Speaker Panel 
Doreen Nicholas, Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence (ACESDV)
The Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence is a statewide organization that provides training and technical assistance, public policy advocacy, along with a helpline. There are various ways community members and survivors can be involved through our working committees and events. One of those working committees is the S.H.A.R.E. (Strength, Hope Awareness, Respect and Education) Committee and Speakers Bureau. During this panel presentation you will directly from survivors of sexual and domestic violence. Your will hear their experiences, their struggles and triumphs. Please join us.
 
Working with Older Survivors of Sexual Abuse: Dynamics, Response and Advocacy
Lindsay Ashworth, Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence
This workshop will explore the dynamics of sexual violence, specifically as it relates to older survivors and how responders can develop culturally responsive services. Attendees will learn how to better serve survivors in this community in order to increase safety, promote healing, and improve their experience working with sexual violence responders.

Older Victims of Abuse: The Hidden Segment of Society
Alice Gharieb, ​​Area Agency on Aging, Region One
Abuse does not respect age and can happen to anyone.  The older population faces barriers and challenges that society often overlooks.  These issues are impacted by the social and cultural values of today’s older abuse survivor.  This session will discuss the components of abuse and review the power and control wheel for older victims, describe the unique needs and identified barriers of older victims, and review services available.

Legal

Age Discrimination Act & Civil Rights Act Pertaining to Limited English Proficient Individuals
Yun-kyung Lee (Peggy), Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
This session will discuss the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office for Civil Rights jurisdiction and investigations under Title II of the ADA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Olmstead v. L.C., the Age Discrimination Act and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as it pertains to Limited English Proficient individuals.    
 
ALTCS for Professionals 
Tyler White, Jackson White Law
This training is an overview of the Arizona Long-Term Care System (ALTCS) for health care professionals. This presentation covers medical and financial eligibility requirements, services covered by ALTCS, identifying ALTCS candidates in your facility, and how to identify red flags that cause ineligibility. 

Building Outreach and Collaboration to Prevent Elder Financial Exploitation
Michael Herndon, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Office for Older Americans
Across the nation, aging services providers and elder justice advocates are collaborating to engage diverse community stakeholders to form Elder Fraud Protection and Response Networks (EFPRN). Join a representative from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to learn how to increase prevention and improve response to elder financial exploitation in your community by starting, enhancing or revitalizing a local or regional network. The presentation will demonstrate the EFPRN Toolkit developed for leaders and key stakeholders to use when creating new networks or enhancing existing ones. ​

Consumer Scams
​Tiffany Lam, Arizona Attorney General Office
Don’t let older Arizonans get taken by a con artist or get stuck in another bad deal from a questionable contractor. Presenters will cover the most common scams in Arizona, tactics fraudsters use to steal the hard-earned money for vulnerable populations, and red flags to look out for. Attendees will be equipped with valuable prevention techniques and information about how to report consumer fraud for themselves or someone they know.

Safety in the Field

​APS 101 
Kim Lanker, Adult Protective Services
A comprehensive look at the Adult Protective Services (APS) process from your call to the hotline, the investigation process of vulnerable adults and a look at the Adult Protective Services Registry.

Safety for Investigators in the Field
Ron Beatty, Adult Protective Services 
​The interactive presentation will detail the safety preparation investigators can do before entering the field. Recognizing areas of safety concern in the details brief of the case. Deciding on a plan of action with supervisors, law enforcement or community mental health programs to mitigate any safety risk before in-person contact. Evaluating environmental and behavioral safety concerns in the field and reducing or removing the risk by making “good sense” decisions. Identifying when the time comes for an investigator to remove themselves from a perceived safety threat where imminent danger may exist.​

Secondary Trauma and Burnout in the Field: Building Professional Resilience
Joanna Cohen, BSW, M.Ed., Arizona State University
Research shows that burnout and vicarious trauma are risks faced by compassionate providers as a result of repeated exposure to the stressors of working with vulnerable populations. The good news is that there are several ways to prevent the impact of secondary traumatic stress as professionals. This breakout session will explain the reality of vicarious trauma and burnout, help attendees identify when they are experiencing symptoms of secondary trauma or burnout, and discuss intervention methods including a Peer Support program rolled out by the Department of Child Safety that may be helpful for other agencies such as Adult Protective Services, Crisis Response, and Hospice professionals who are consistently exposed to traumatic incidents in the workplace.

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