Day 2 - Detailed Agenda

8:00-9:00 AM 

Breakfast and Registration

9:00 – 9:15 AM 

Opening Remarks with Bob Koehler and Heidi Holste

Student Scholarship Announcements presented by Meghan Coleman

9:15-9:30 AM

Gerontologist of the Year presented by Meghan Coleman

9:30-10:45 AM

Keynote Speaker sponsored by CHAI

Power in Aging: Mindful and Innovative Approaches to Address Ageism

Dr. Marilyn R. Gugliucci, GSA Board Chair & Professor

Experiential Learning that gets to the Heart of the Matter

Description: To age optimally, it is important to understand how our society views aging and how we can transform these perceptions. Demographics alone creates a compelling point as to why we need to focus on aging in our society. However, aging tends to be an emotional issue that evokes anxiety and for good reason. There is a paucity of gerontology/geriatrics experts who actively challenge ageism and spark deeper questions about negative stereotypes; and our society proliferates expectations for older people to be passive recipients rather than active participants. The goal is to effect change so all can exercise empowerment to address ageism. We have work to do…

Learning Objectives:

• ·       Identify the nuances of ageism and Summarize approaches in gerontology to reframe aging and challenge stereotypes [Blooms Taxonomy: Remembering & Understanding]
• ·       Simulate issues that may affect older people through experiential participation that Facilitates competence and confidence in being empathic. [Blooms Taxonomy: Creating & Creating]
• ·       Integrate concepts from the lecture and Reflect on approaches to implement change at the micro level (one’s life) and meso/macro levels (institutions/society). [Blooms Taxonomy: Applying & Evaluating]

10:45 - 11:30 AM   BREAK

11:30 - 12:30 PM BREAKOUTS #4:    

Cowles Auditorium

4A: Beyond the Paperwork: End-of-life Planning Through the Dual Lens of Elder Law & Doula Support.

By Brenna Galvin

Description: End-of-life planning is often framed as a legal task—sign the documents, check the box, move on. But in real life, preparedness comes from something deeper: honest conversations, values-based decision-making, and a support system that can carry the plan forward. Drawing on experience as an elder law attorney and end-of-life doula, this session explores how planning truly works at the intersection of law, caregiving, family dynamics, and lived reality. Attendees will learn how to guide individuals and families through preparing for current and prospective care needs by considering diagnosis, functional changes, financial resources, and what loved ones can realistically contribute in time, talent, and treasures. The session offers practical language, tools, and a roadmap for building both a personal and professional team—so plans are not only created, but implemented with dignity and clarity.

Learning Objectives:

• ·       Identify the essential components of end-of-life planning that extend beyond legal documents, including values-based conversations, role clarity, and building a support system. 
• ·       Apply a practical framework for helping individuals and families plan for current or future care needs by evaluating diagnosis, functional changes, financial considerations, and family capacity (“time, talent, and treasures”).
• ·       Use communication strategies and planning tools—grounded in both elder law and end-of-life doula practice—to help clients reduce crisis-driven decision-making and improve follow-through on care and end-of-life wishes.

Humphrey Forum

4B: Developing Transformative Leaders in Geriatrics

By Simon Mittal

Description: Strong transformative, emotional intelligence leaders are a necessity in geriatric care.  It defines culture, has impact on turnover, productivity, clinical and psychosocial outcomes. But how do we develop it?  This presentation is to discuss the key needs for leaders, key skills to develop and developing an intentional path for developing leaders in the future.

Learning Objectives:

• ·       Understand the impact of leadership in geriatric environments
• ·       Understand the cost of doing nothing, Understand key skills for leaders
• ·       Understand how to build a leadership pipeline for your organization

Wilkins Room

4C: Alzheimer’s Assoc. From Research to Practice: The Brain Health Recipe

By Heidi Haley-Franklin, Patricia Takawira,  Madeline Iverson & Phuong Hoang

Description: Dementia remains one of the most pressing challenges in aging populations, yet recent research demonstrates that there are opportunities to lower our risk of developing the disease. The 2024 update of the Lancet Commission on dementia identified 14 modifiable risk factors, including hypertension, hearing loss, physical inactivity, and social isolation, that collectively account for a substantial proportion of dementia cases, underscoring the importance of lifestyle and environmental interventions. Building on this foundation, the Alzheimer’s Association’s 10 Healthy Habits for Your Brain provide a practical framework that translates scientific evidence into everyday actions such as regular physical activity, balanced nutrition, and management of chronic conditions. Complementing these approaches, the U.S. POINTER Study results offer groundbreaking insights into how lifestyle interventions can protect brain health including the Brain Health Recipe that integrates nutrition, exercise, cognitive and social engagement, and health monitoring into a holistic model for dementia risk reduction. This session will synthesize global research, national initiatives, and clinical trial evidence into actionable strategies through audience engagement. This session will empower participants to increase awareness of brain health and reduce dementia risk among the communities they serve, advancing the broader mission of improved quality of life and healthy aging across the lifespan.

Learning Objectives:

• ·       Increase knowledge of the recent findings from the US POINTER Study and the modifiable risk factors for dementia
• ·       Increase knowledge about ways to protect brain health including the Alzheimer Association's 10 Healthy Habits for Your Brain
• ·       Identify specific ways to increase awareness about brain health among the people you work with or serve

Josie Johnson Community Rm

4D: Adapting Developing and Implementing Brain Trains: A Novel Education Event for Rural and Indigenous Communities

By Maggie Noun & Kelsie Larson

Description: This presentation will highlight the adaptation, design, implementation, and future directions of Brain Trains; cognitive health education events developed in collaboration with rural and Tribal communities in Minnesota.  These events were co-hosted by Memory Keepers Medical Discovery Team (MK-MDT) and local partners with the goal of promoting brain health and healthy aging in northern MN and highlighting local resources and research opportunities. The Brain Train uses an open-house format where participants visit different stations to learn about brain health, dementia awareness, caregiving resources, and opportunities to engage in current and future research. MK-MDT is committed to community-based health equity research, using a community based participatory research (CBPR) approach. Our mission is to engage Indigenous and rural communities in culturally meaningful research to address health disparities and improve dementia and brain health outcomes for all. This approach is demonstrated through all aspects of the Brain Train events. For example, planning a successful Brain Train involves working closely with community partners and local organizations to address community needs and goals. Community priorities, overall goals for the event, and availability of local organizations, programs, service providers, or health care providers may change the scope of the event and what is offered. This means that each Brain Train event may look a little different. Attendees will gain practical knowledge about organizing and sustaining community-based educational events. This presentation will demonstrate how the Brain Train model can strengthen local networks and serve as an outreach tool for organizations focused community-based health equity advancement. 

Learning Objectives:

• ·       Understand the importance of community partnerships to support brain health events
• ·       Learn how to organize brain health events that are inclusive of research and community needs
• ·       Understand the potential for future expansion of these events.

12:30 - 1:30 PM    

Lunch-Mondale Commons Atrium & Humphrey Forum
Exhibit Hall - Mondale Commons Atrium
Poster Presenters – Humphrey Forum
GEN & SEPA Lunch: Josie Johnson Community Room

          

1:30 - 2:30 PM   BREAKOUTS #5:    

Cowles Auditorium

5A: Personality Disorders in Older Adults.

By John Brose

Description: Dr. John Brose has spent over 45 years assisting long term care staff in developing plans and strategies for residents with personality disorders. He will offer explanations for how personality disorders are defined and discuss common symptoms. Concrete, practical, and proactive strategies will be offered to address the behaviors that are likely to be present in older adults with a personality disorder. Format will include humor, lecture, case example and discussion.

Learning Objectives:

• ·       Participants will learn to identify three general characteristics of personality disorders.
• ·       Participants will learn whether medications are typically effective in treating personality disorders.
• ·       Participants will learn three strategies for treating personality disorders.

Humphrey Forum

5B: Addressing Ageism in the Workplace.

By Lisa Edstrom, Ali Bilden Camps, Kim Anderson & Philomena Morrissey Satre

Description:

Learning Objectives:

• ·       Attendees will understand workforce demographics in Minnesota and Nationally
• ·       Attendees will learn more about how ageism shows up in the workplace as well as resources to combat ageism at work
• ·       Attendees will learn about how they can advocate for older adults in their own companies

Wilkins Room

5C: I Feel Bad That I Don’t Have a Way to Keep Him in Society: Leveraging Novel Caregiver-Targeted Assistive Technologies…

By Allison Gustavson, Howard Fink, Andrew Hansen & Amber Wacek

Description: Caregivers are a crucial and often invisible workforce that supports the growing shift away from institutionalized care towards care in the home. Aging in place includes not only living at home but also maintaining social connectedness outside the home. Healthcare approaches have traditionally focused on decreasing caregiver effort by optimizing an older adult’s function and developing assistive devices geared towards the older adult patient. This paradigm is challenged when an older adult’s mobility declines to where a caregiver is needed to push and load a device into vehicle during community outings. This can be physically demanding when the wheelchair occupant is larger or the caregiver is small, especially when negotiating changes in elevation or uneven terrain. This increased demand can lead to caregiver fatigue or injuries, which may interrupt their ability to provide the care necessary for an older adult to live at home. As such, some caregivers may eliminate community outings, which can lead to social isolation for an older adult and their caregiver. Thus, an opportunity exists to decrease caregiver workload through caregiver-targeted, mobility technology designs that enhance the caregiver-older adult dyad’s ability to navigate community settings. An example of our work in this area is the development of the Caregiver Assist Transport Chair (CATC), a prototype motorized chair that responds and adjusts to caregiver effort. In a pilot study, we employed a user-centered design where older Veterans and their caregivers tested the device and participated in a semi-structured interview designed to capture perceptions of design, operability, and impact on community mobility and societal participation. Five caregivers and three Veterans participated in the pilot study. All participants noted the potential of the CATC to allow them to resume participation in meaningful activities they have otherwise stopped or reduced. Design concerns from participants included i) impact of added weight when lifting and transporting the chair in a vehicle, ii) caster movements can feel jerky, reducing sense of control while pushing the wheelchair, and iii) less ease in traversing thresholds. Design and operability concerns noted are addressable in the next stage of manufacturing. All participants spoke of the potential for the CATC to expand the number and types of places they visit. Our platform of work in caregiver-targeted assistive technology devices contributes to gerontological research and geriatrics care by offering a novel approach to maximizing caregiver-older adult participation in and connection to society. The long-term impacts include the potential to contribute significantly to downstream effects on healthy aging such as caregiver health, caregiver and older adult well-being, and prolonged time living at home.

Learning Objectives:

• 1.      Describe the shift of design focus for assistive mobility technology from the patient to caregiver workload and implications for care and patient outcomes.
• 2.      Discuss an applied example of a novel Caregiver Assist Transport Chair (CATC) and its potential to impact social participation through enhanced navigation of community settings.

Josie Johnson Community Rm

5D: PANEL- Model Program Meets Critical Needs of Vulnerable Adults.

By Dawn Simonson, Rebecca Sash, Carmen Castenada, Heather Pender & Stephanie Hoffman

Description: To utilize American Rescue Plan Act funding, the Minnesota State Unit on Aging offered Area Agencies on Aging an opportunity to work with county-based Adult Protective Services to improve outcomes for vulnerable adults in their caseload. Clients aged 18 and older being served by county APS were referred to their AAA along with the county’s assessment of most critical needs that could be met through the pilot program known as WRAPS Resources. AAA case managers responded by arranging and paying for services and consumable supplies. Eligible expenses included food, clothing, medical equipment, cleaning supplies and personal hygiene items. To stabilize clients, eligible expenses also included emergency rental and utility assistance, deep cleaning of homes, trash removal, emergency housing, pest control, home repairs, moving services and transportation.

County APS units reported that the program improved service access, speed, and continuity of care. One hundred percent (100%) of clients said that the program improved their living conditions and that the services they received helped them remain in their homes.

The WRAPS Resources Program replicated a model developed by Missouri Health and Senior Services Adult Protective Services in partnership with Missouri’s AAAs. Minnesota partners tailored the technology platform developed for Missouri by Cumulus to support the service in Minnesota. The technology platform is easy to use, supported the program model and produced useful reports.

Learning Objectives:

• 1.      Audience members will learn about an innovative collaboration of counties and area agencies on aging to stabilize clients served by Adult Protective Services.
• 2.      Audience members will gain knowledge of the needs of older adult APS clients that are difficult to meet without the added wrap around services and support provided in the pilot WRAPS program.

2:30 PM Closing Statements