2024 Annual Conference Agenda

Richard Freed, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, Aging & Long-Term Support Administration / Residential Care Services, Washington State Department of Social and Health Services

Dylan Montgomery, Fire Marshall

State Fire Marshal’s Office and Residential Care Services will present an informational session on implementing a successful emergency management and life safety program within long-term care settings.  Key elements of the program will include Emergency Plans, Policies & Procedures, Testing & Training, Communication Systems, Emergency & Standby Systems, and Integrating Healthcare Systems. Additionally, frequent citations and pitfalls observed in these programs will covered in order to build resilient and successful programs.   

Carin Marney, Shareholder, Lane Powell

Join Lane Powell to stay informed about the latest legal issues impacting senior housing and long-term care providers in Washington. Topics will include resident discharges, appeal rights, landlord-tenant law for independent living residents, staffing agency contracts, survey enforcement in nursing homes, and more. Bring your questions and engage in discussions on these timely and wide-ranging legal topics.

Jamie Ford, Infection Prevention Control Specialist, Residential Care Services/Aging Long-Term Support Administration Washington State Department of Social and Health Services 

Linda Dunn, Residential Care Services/Aging Long-Term Support Administration Washington State Department of Social and Health Services 

The Residential Care Services (RCS) Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) team will present an informational session on the application of standard and transmission-based precautions in nursing home and assisted living settings. Join us for an in-depth discussion covering key differences in healthcare and community guidance, reporting requirements, and top IPC citations. Gain valuable insights into effectively implementing IPC practices to ensure the safety and well-being of long-term care residents. 

Del Gilbert, Founder, Accelerating Excellence

In order to be your best self every day you need to prioritize self-renewal and personal replenishment.

You can’t give away something you don’t have. In order to energize others, you need to be energized.

This session will be practical and inspirational and will include:

• Learning to Thrive through the Growth Mindset
• Enhancing Your ‘Generosity Gene’ through the Abundance Mindset
• Increasing Your Resilience by Responding Positively to Life Events

Mary Muñoz, Senior Managing Director, Ziegler

COVID-19 accelerated many changes already underway in senior living, such as telehealth implementation, a skilled nursing model that was breaking under pressure, and staff recruitment and retention challenges. What will the future look like for the not-for-profit sector? Our country is aging quickly with a dwindling workforce.  Growth has not kept pace with the aging population, and there are insufficient models for varied incomes.  This session will address topics such as technology adoption and innovation, growth and competition from the private sector, innovative living models, the role of care in the home, the value of partnerships and joint ventures, workforce pressures and the dynamic healthcare environment to name a few.

Christine Tremain, VP Marketing & Business Development, Wesley

Marc Streleski, Senior Project Manager, Walsh Construction Company

Jill Krance, AIA, LEED AP, Partner, InSite Architects

Kevin Anderson, President & CEO, Wesley

Hear how Wesley in Des Moines, WA successfully managed a multi-phase, $250 million redevelopment over 10 years. From the first visioning charrette to contract modifications and a robust resident communication plan, this session covers how one operator and its partners engaged residents to redevelop its campus and meet the demands of a younger, middle income market. You’ll learn how, with time and phasing, the team managed the logistical challenge of 100+ resident relocations and changing the mix from heavy health care to independent living with the replacement of 185 independent accommodations with 286 new ones, adding 26 memory care apartments and reducing the number of skilled nursing care beds by half.

Serena Dang, Owner and Co-Founder, Vali

Kristina Walker

Overview: This goal of the session is to put forth a vision for the future of elder care, where the warmth of high-touch care is seamlessly integrated with the efficiency and capabilities of high-tech solutions.

The discussion will be structured in three parts: 1) data collection 2) data utilization 3) care automation.

Gigi Acevedo-Parker, National Healthcare Risk Management Lead, Clinical Risk Management Leader, Risk Services Division, HUB International

The rise of substance abuse amongst the Senior Care population is a growing complex issue amongst Senior care providers posing significant risks to the health and well-being of older adults, including increased rates of mental illness, suicidal thoughts and death or physical harm. Older adults are particularly vulnerable to the effects of substances and substance misuse and can manifest in the form of geriatric alcohol abuse and nonmedical drug use and prescription medication misuse.

Join us for an in-depth discussion that aims to shed light on this pressing issue, providing senior care providers and professionals with the awareness and tools needed to address this often-overlooked challenge.
An emerging trend within the industry is that older adults with substance abuse issues are three times more likely to have thoughts of suicide than those without such disorders. This alarming statistic underscores the imperative of addressing not only substance abuse, but also the associated risk of suicidal ideation in the senior population.
The session will breakdown common misconceptions and stereotypes contributing to the underdiagnosis and undertreatment of the issue, address legal claims and liability issues faced by care providers, provide practical guidance on implementing proper screening and assessment tools crucial in early detection, and how to implement multiple effective treatment methods important to breaking down barriers that prevent seniors from seeking treatment and help reduce ongoing risk.

Attendees will takeaway resources to help senior care providers recognize, prevent, and respond to substance abuse within their senior care populations along with valuable insights into suicide risk assessment and prevention strategies. By gaining a deeper understanding of the unique challenges and risk factors that make the elderly more susceptible to substance misuse, care providers can take a comprehensive approach to offering holistic care practices committed to addressing the needs of and improving the lives of our seniors.

Kendra Roberts, Vice President of Operations, HumanGood

David Laurence Patterson, Director of Learning and Development, HumanGood

Intuitively we know that creating and sustaining communities where everyone feels they belong is both essential to our mission and good for our business. And the facts support our intuition. So, if Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging are key to our success as not-for-profit senior living providers, how do we prioritize the work and truly move the “Inclusion needle” in the right direction? At HumanGood, the nation’s seventh largest not-for-profit senior living provider, inclusion has been a core value for years. Four years ago, HumanGood took a bold step in turning DEI intentions into realities by forming an interdisciplinary Inclusion Council. Pull up a chair, grab some coffee, and chat with the co-chairs of HumanGood’s Inclusion Council as they reflect on the highs and lows of the journey, and offer some ideas to avoid pitfalls and ignite your DEIB work. Your residents and team members will thank you.

Tara Hawks, Nurse Consultant, Washington State Department of Social and Health Services

Kathleen Robl, RN, Quality Improvement Specialist, Washington State Department of Social and Health Services

Have the courage to invite the State’s Long Term Care Quality Improvement Program (LTC QIP) into your facility and see how they can help you achieve and maintain regulatory compliance. This is a voluntary, planned visit where experienced state survey and investigative staff dive deep into your systems to help you identify gaps and what steps are needed to reach your facility’s full potential. Learn about the care areas and facility practices the LTC QIP can help you with. Questions about changes since the October 1^st launch of PDPM and what is the State’s Case Mix Accuracy Review team reviewing now? Updates on changes and what your next CMAR review will look like will be covered in this brief overview.

Jill Chang, Director of Sales & Marketing, Bayview

Marco Baumann,  Chief Operating Officer, Bayview

If you look close enough and put aside preconceived ideas about what aging looks like, you will find an incredible amount of diversity and amazing stories which are the fabric of any community. Just take the time to look and listen.

At Bayview, a Life Plan Community in Seattle, Washington, we pride ourselves on shining a light on the myriad stories our residents and staff represent. We have mathematicians, teachers, nurses, the earliest Microsoft employees, war veterans, mothers, fathers, queer folks, gay folks, folks of color and so many more amazing individual talent, heart, and contributions.

The session will be presented by two Bayview senior staff, standing on opposite sides of the room, which will be the first embodiment of diversity. Each will tell a story of a real resident at our vibrant community in Seattle. The stories will be about Dorothy and Carla. The stories will alternate between Dorothy’s storyteller and Carla’s storyteller.

This dramatic presentation is meant to captivate the audience and facilitate a sense of caring for these people. Since we value the art of storytelling, we hope to bring a wonderful rhythm to this part of the presentation, thereby eliciting buy-in and grabbing the attention of the audience. Finally, we will tear at the heart strings of the room bringing the two stories together and demonstrating how the power of these two women impact not only our community at Bayview but provide a wide-range of benefits to staff, the organization and in our humble opinion – society itself.

Our communities, regardless of geography throughout Leading Age’s reach, buzz with personality and crescendo when they are afforded the space and safety of expressing themselves in an authentic way. Fulfilled. Seen. Heard.

How do we as an organization integrate our culture, which is built on the stories of tens of thousands of residents since 1962? Sixty-two years of stories, a joy to learn and a responsibility to carry on and share them.

Sarkis Garabedian, Managing Director, Ziegler

Daren Bell, Director, Ziegler

One of the silver linings of the COVID-19 pandemic, if you will, is that the degree to which technologies were adopted in the senior living and care space increased dramatically. Much of the accelerated rate of adoption over the past few years has been around putting solutions in place that have assisted with navigating the pandemic. What in the past may have been more of a choice to adopt a particular technology or platform, quickly became a necessary implementation. Will this momentum continue? What does our sector need to do to ensure technologies are being utilized to their maximum and that solutions are put in place to address some of our greatest needs?

Many unknowns remain for the year ahead, but what is certain is that technology adoption, technology spending, and healthcare innovation will continue to move forward at a fairly rapid pace. As the country and the industry emerge from the grip of the pandemic, we will see a shift to advanced technology implementation and innovation that will be less about speed of adoption and more about maximizing current solutions. The industry has been upended, a disruption that some argue was needed in the senior living and care sector. As providers look at alternative models and permanent shifts in how we do business, we would encourage providers to think about technology’s role in that new world.

These are the key themes that will be covered during this session. Ziegler will feature some of its latest research on technology adoption and spending and will share resources available for providers (white papers, etc.). Panelists will share their insights into various sub-topics related to technology such as telehealth, artificial intelligence, resident engagement solutions and workforce technologies to name a few.

Anna Facio, Office Chief, Policy, Training, Quality Improvement & Informal Dispute Resolution, Washington State Department of Social and Health Services 

Valerie Turrentine, Consultant, Washington State Department of Social and Health Services 

Jessica Salquist , Regional Administrator, Washington State Department of Social and Health Services 

This presentation provides an opportunity to discuss common trends of Nursing Home Surveys throughout the state. Residential Care Services will give  a brief review of the internal quality improvement processes for Nursing Homes, external oversight processes and how it assists with consistency and identification of training opportunities. Provide a brief overview of the Behavioral Health Support Team and the support it provides to Nursing Home Providers as we continue to build relationships with RCS and Providers.

Jenna Kellerman, Director of Workforce Strategy and Development, LeadingAge

This session will provide tools and resources to create a healthy and engaged
workplace culture. Using lessons learned from culture change and person directed care models, we will explore similar changes and policies that can help organizations create an environment where staff at all levels are supported, engaged, and empowered. Leaders will develop an understanding of coaching versus supervising, how career lattices can inspire confidence, and how organizations can lean into the expertise of their caregivers to increase quality care.

Facilitated by Ziegler 

The department of social and health services, in collaboration with the office of insurance commissioner’s office and the attorney general’s office, is conducting stakeholder listening sessions to gather information on ways to enhance consumer protections to those living independently in CCRCs/LPCs.  In addition to enhancing consumer protections, there will be recommendations on agency oversight and enforcement authority to ensure compliance with CCRC/LPC laws.  Please join us to hear and discuss the recommendations that have been brought forward to date and ultimately what may be housed within a report that will be submitted to the legislature by December 1, 2024. 

Darla Esnard, Principal, Ankrom Moisan

Paul Aigner, Vice President of Real Estate Development, GSI/Transforming Age

Ryan Miyahira, Senior Principal, Ankrom Moisan

Explore the nuances of expanding and renovating a Senior Living campus with our case study on the Skyline Olympic and Cascade Towers.  Delve into the strategies, challenges, and consensus-building process that drove the successful transformation.

Bea Rector, Assistant Secretary, ALTSA, Washington State Department of Social and Health Services

Amy Abbott, Director of Residential Care Services, Washington State Department of Social and Health Services

Join Bea Rector, Assistant Secretary of ALTSA, and Amy Abbott, Director of Residential Care Services, as they share the evolving landscape of long-term care and aging trends. Gain valuable insights into demographic shifts within the aging population and the implications for future care needs. Explore the changing dynamics of client service locations and their impact on provider communities. Through an in-depth analysis of demographic data, this session aims to empower long-term care providers in preparing for the future of their organizations. 

Shannon Finegood, Manager, Patient Safety LTPAC,  Comagine

Nina Sanderson, Improvement Advisor,  Comagine

No matter what issue is keeping you awake at night – falls, infections, staffing, sustainable work/life balance – your key to a good night’s sleep begins with a commitment to continuous quality improvement. Shannon Finegood and Nina Sanderson with Comagine Health will walk you through the process of conducting a thorough root cause analysis, developing an AIM statement, and developing and implementing a manageable intervention, all while evaluating the effectiveness of any change and unintended consequences.

Susie Parsons, Associate Principal, Interior Designer, Rice Fergus Miller

Jill Chang, Director of Sales & Marketing, Bayview Retirement Community

Many of us understand the serious health risks associated with loneliness, however there is less awareness surrounding the isolation that can persist even when people live in community with their peers. This session explores the distinction between true human connection versus physical proximity and highlights the myriad ways inclusive cultures and intentional environments can make impactful differences in the lives of LGBTQ+ residents, staff, and family members.  This presentation will be insightful and educational, and will include video testimonials from residents, so they may share their stories firsthand with the audience. Attendees can expect to better understand the significance of visible inclusion within senior communities and feel both inspired and equipped with strategies and resources to better support the health and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ elders as well as staff.

Jill Ricker, National Director of SAIDO and Memory Care, Covenant Living Communities & Services

Sandi Semler, Social Services Coordinator, Heron’s Key at Gig Harbor

A grant was awarded to conduct a study that analyzed caregiver response in providing an evidence-based, non-pharmacological memory care program. With program effectiveness for residents previously established, the need for caregiver engagement and experience was the focus. This study was conducted in the turbulent post-pandemic lockdown year. Caregiver interviews were conducted to determine whether an engaging, evidenced-based program could contribute to job satisfaction, a deeper knowing of the resident, and its impact on the care that is given.  Those invited to participate were formal caregivers who provide the evidence-based non-medication intervention for residents diagnosed with dementia or a related diagnosis.

The program, SAIDO Learning, was developed by Dr. Ryuta Kawashima and the Kumon Institute of Education in Japan as a program for individuals with memory impairment. Those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias meet with trained staff who provide individualized structured mental exercises focusing on simple arithmetic, writing, and reading aloud to increase engagement and positively impact the symptoms of dementia. The 30-minute daily sessions are strictly the method of exercise. The goal is a disruption in symptoms that allows for an engaged, enjoyable life and a reason for being. Caregivers are trained to provide sessions and understand was an improvement in dementia symptoms means.

Bill Ulrich, President, Consolidated Billing Services, Inc. 

Peter Graham. Chief, Office of Rates Management, ALTSA, Washington State Department of Social and Health Services   

In this session, Peter Graham, Chief of the Office of Rates Management, and Bill Ulrich, President/CEO of Consolidated Billing Services, will explore the trajectory of skilled nursing facility rates. Despite witnessing substantial increases in rates over recent years, some of these changes have been temporary. Peter and Bill will dive into the future outlook for rates and identify key areas of consideration as we gear up for the next legislative session. Importantly, they will provide insights into the implementation of a new PDPM casemix system and a transitional strategy to ease rate burdens while allowing system-based rate growth over the coming years. As demographics evolve within our skilled nursing facilities, reflecting changes within our communities at large, the session will address how facility payments can adapt to capture these needs-based rate changes. 

Julie Cope, RCL & NFCM Policy Unit Manager, Aging and Long Term Supports Administration/Home and Community Services, Washington State Department of Social and Health Services

Jen Drake, Business Development Director, Cascade Senior Living Services  

Stephanie VanPelt, Resource Support & Development Unit Manager, Aging and Long Term Supports Administration/ Home and Community Services, Washington State Department of Social and Health Services

Join us for an in-depth discussion on serving residents with behavioral health and other specialized needs across the continuum of care. Learn about changing demographics in the population served in residential care and how the state is transitioning residents from hospitals and institutional settings to residential settings. Learn about the creation of specialized contracts to cater to the unique needs of these individuals and the staffing and provider qualifications required. Discover how rates are structured to support the staffing model and explore resources needed for providers who may be hesitant to take on these contracts. Gain valuable insights from a provider with firsthand experience managing special contracts and serving residents with complex needs. Don’t miss this opportunity to deepen your understanding of this critical aspect of long-term care.

Emily Steedman, Senior Director of Strategic Growth, Consonus

According to a recent study, by 2035, the number of adults 65 and older in the US will jump to almost 80 million, an increase of 66 percent from 2015. This is resulting in the growing demand for high-quality rehabilitation and wellness services to allow older adults to maintain independence as long as possible.

This session will identify ways to blend clinical, concierge, and wellness programming to promote successful resident aging-in-place. A focus on a well-coordinated approach, driven by market analysis with proven clinical programs is key. Results include improved quality of life, excellent outcomes, personalized and individualized design for adults to maintain independence and function through the continuum of care.

Derek DuJardin, Creative Director and Brand Strategist, 3rdPlus

If you know something needs to change in your approach to sales and marketing but don’t know where to begin, this presentation is for you. For more than 15 years, 3rdThird Marketing, a division of 3rdPlus, has had a near-perfect record for turning around census-challenged communities. This presentation draws upon their deep expertise with short-term tactics that have moved the needle quickly on occupancy. We also address non-marketing issues in operations and HR that impact marketing success. Please note that this won’t be a rehash of common knowledge about sales and marketing in senior living but will delve into offering best practices proven to deliver faster, better ROIs for your marketing spends. In addition, metrics and targets will be provided to help assess marketing effectiveness while spotlighting “conventional wisdom” of wasteful tactics that don’t deliver like they used to. Best of all, attendees will leave this session with the confidence to be more thoughtful advocates on behalf of their marketing and sales teams.  ”Attendees will leave with evidence-based, proven tactics that work to drive high-quality leads to address their immediate census goals. We will also focus on familiar, accepted tactics, such as depending upon referral services that provide subpar ROI on marketing spending. 

Attendees will also develop a decerning filter for evaluating operational and sales challenges impacting their close rates and how to address these issues.

Attendees will see real-life case studies, including those from the Northwest and around the country, demonstrating how these tactics work and metrics for evaluating their current marketing and sales tactics.