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A free community service event presented by:
St. Luke's United Methodist Church
and Interfaith CarePartners

Generously Underwritten by:
Memorial Hermann Southwest
and The Plaza at The Buckingham

Check In / Exhibits

Open at 8:30 a.m.

Open Plenary - Courage in Caregiving

Earl E. Shelp, Ph.D. at 9:00 a.m.

New to the Caregiving Conference

One-on-One Consultations
Available from 9:45 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
No appointment necessary

• Meet with professional Geriatric Care Managers, who are members of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to get help from a care manager and learn if one might be a good resource for you.
• Meet with Jeff McDaniel, Assistive Technology Professional with Active American Mobility and see demonstrations of rehab equipment, assistive devices and technologies to improve quality of life.

Session One Workshops - 9:45 - 10:55 a.m.

Understanding Medicare
Jane Lehto, Medical Reimbursement Resources
An overview of Medicare A, B, C (Advantage) and D (drugs), Medicare Supplemental Insurance, looking at current Medicare changes and the outlook for proposed changes and coverage.

Life Care Planning
Tom McCulloch, Elder Law Attorney and Certified Public Accountant
Navigating the health care and legal systems is not for the faint of heart.  This workshop provides a holistic approach to addressing the legal, financial, medical, social and care planning issues involved in finding, accessing and paying for long term care.

Senior Guidance Directory – Resources for Planning Eldercare and Resolving Issues
Ellen McDonald, RN, MN, Executive Director, Senior Guidance Directory
Learn about resources in Houston and Harris County for seniors, families and caregivers, and how to find and evaluate them.

Family Relationships
Mona Fogt, L.C.S.W.
Families are beautiful; families are complicated.  Under unique stress, family members will often overreact, underreact or re-enact old family patterns that are not helpful in solving problems or to continue healthy relationships.

Veterans Administration Benefits
Vincent Morrison, Veterans County Service Officer
Learn about benefits available through the Veterans Administration, eligibility and how to apply, including non-pension related benefits and the aide and attendance program.  In addition, representatives from the Harris County Veterans Services office will be available to answer questions and give out resources.

Faith and Spirituality in Caregiving
Virgil Fry, D.Min., Executive Director, Lifeline Chaplaincy
Caregiving is both a privilege and an intense energy drain.  Providing care for another requires us to be intentional about taking care of ourselves as well.  Spiritual resources such as prayer, quiet time, journaling, meditation, short readings, and finding trusted fellow travelers are essential for all who are in the role of caregiving.  Dr. Fry is a hospital chaplain and has also been in a caregiving role.

Navigating Dementia
Theresa Johnston, AL,  Autumn Grove Cottage
Christy McNairy, AL, Autumn Grove Cottage
For many families caring for someone with dementia, they are entering a phase or period referred to as “the new normal,” living with uncertainty and unpredictability.  We will discuss the phases of dementia and help you to navigate through with an awareness and better understanding of each phase.

Managing Stress
Gillian Hill, The Plaza at the Buckingham;  Doris Brand
This interactive workshop will touch on identifying your sources of stress and give you tools to find stress reducers, talk about barriers to taking action, and teach you how to make an action plan.  This workshop is an actual class of Powerful Tools For Caregivers, a free six-week course focusing on the caregiver not the care receiver.

Session Two Workshops - 11:05 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Medicaid – Benefits and Planning
Christina Lesher, Attorney at Law, Licensed Social Worker
Financing long-term care can be expensive. Many families can qualify for benefits under the federal Medicaid program. This workshop will discuss the criteria for financing long-term care through Medicaid, and share tips on common pitfalls to avoid.

Stretching Your Caregiving $$$
Cindy Hartman, RN, BSN, GCM
Caring for someone with acute of long-term health issues can be very costly, and often puts families under financial stress. Learn tips and resources for getting the most for your caregiving $$$, plus savings tips that come from having correct information.

Rights and Tips on Hospital Stays, Discharge and SNIF
Janet Jackson McCulloch, MA, CMC
Hospital stays and the discharge process can be traumatic, but knowledge and planning make it easier. Learn how to navigate hospital emergency room visits, understand hospital admission and discharge practices and important tips on observation status. Find out about patient rights, what resources and information you should expect during the hospital stay, and how to navigate the process successfully.

Caregiver Confessions: Secrets We’re Not Proud Of
Lee Willis, MA, LPC, RN
“Thoughts that leak through the muddied waters of my last emotional reserves. Guilt closing my throat as my voice croaks out, ‘And what about me?’” Learn how to deal with uncomfortable or embarrassing feelings and emotions.

In Home Care
Cathy Andrews, RN
Kelley Richard, LMSW, CMC, GCM
This workshop discusses the different types of in-home care, the services each provides, how to locate and evaluate in-home care, what it costs, etc.

Setting Caregiving and Palliative Care Goals
Ana L. Leech, MD, Director Palliative Medicine and Hospice IPU, Memorial Hermann Southwest
Earl E. Shelp, Ph.D President, Interfaith CarePartners Learn how and why setting goals can facilitate meaningful caregiving and how medical specialties that address symptoms and needs of patients throughout an illness contribute to quality of life for a patient and family.

Understanding Vision Loss and Providing Care
The Lighthouse of Houston:
Staff from The Lighthouse of Houston will provide education and resources, as well as information on how to care for family members and loved ones experiencing vision loss. Issues related to diabetes, one of the leading causes in vision loss, will be addressed.

The Importance of Reminiscing
Theresa Johnston, AL, Autumn Grove Cottage
This workshop will help you understand why reminiscing can be a valuable tool for your loved-one and your family. If you are taking care of a loved one at home, join us for this inspirational and life re-affirming topic.

Session Three Workshops - 1:20 - 2:30 p.m.

Public Benefits
Eva Williams, Benefits Counselor 1, Harris County Area Agency on Aging
Dr. Janice Paul, Aging and Disability Resource Center
Learn about the Harris County Area Agency on Aging, the benefits and services available and how to access them to assist you with your caregiving needs.

Essential Legal Documents
Colleen Campbell Root, Attorney
Information on advance directives, power of attorney, and other essential documents, as well as information on wills, trusts, and probate.

Turning Points: Driving, Checkbook, Living Alone
Veronica Seivwright, LMSW, IPR, GCM, C-ASWCM
This workshop will explore the challenges of facing major transitions and offer practical solutions.

Empathic Caregiving: Obstacles & Secrets of Success
Roberta M. Diddel, Ph.D Clinical & Health Psychology
Learn why understanding an ill person’s experience is helpful in giving care. Learn why and how empathy is a secret for success.

Fall Prevention and Risk Assessment
Monique Cullen, Harvey Home Health Services Liason
Katy Czakowski, Physical Therapist
The objective is to keep loved ones safe at home and to teach caregivers how to keep loved ones and themselves safe. The workshop will discuss risk factors associated with falls, understand what a risk assessment is and how it can help reduce falls, help identify persons at risk of falling, and discuss interventions needed to decrease risk of fall and injury.

You Count Too! Self-Care for Younger Caregivers
Joan Mullinax, M.Ed. LPC Intern
Learn how to balance caregiving with career, school, child care or a social life.

Caregiving with Stroke Survivors
Sandi Shaw, RN, BSN; Stroke Program Coordinator, Memorial Hermann Southwest
This workshop will discuss how to understand what a stroke survivor is experiencing,  as well as tips, techniques  and resources for  caring for a stroke survivor, while  helping  the person to recover, adapt, and cope with the situation as it is.

Living Options
Doug Reuschel, LNFA, LBSW, GCM
This workshop will discuss how to decide when caring for a loved one at home is no longer possible or prudent, what alternate living options there are and how to evaluate and choose the appropriate living situation.