"Put the drugs down and turn the music up!" - How technology can positively impact the lives of people living with dementia”
Jack York - It's Never 2 Late (IN2L)
This presentation showcases real word examples of how multimedia technologies, delivered through adaptive computer systems, are able to deliver quality of life benefits to individuals with dementia and to their caregivers. The presentation focuses on practical application about how the activity, therapy, social work and nursing teams may work to integrate the computer system into daily programming. You will see hands on examples of the technology in action, and learn how it can benefit the unique characteristics of your own community. The research will place a particular emphasis on the use of technology as a tool to reduce the utilization of psychotropic drugs.
Jack York (Centennial, Colorado) founded It’s Never 2 Late in the summer of 1999 after spending 14 years in the semiconductor industry. He retired from that industry as vice-president of strategic sales for Vishay Intertechnology. In 1998, he began donating computers to assisted living centers in California with his other business partners. This endeavor became a labor of love, and the enthusiasm that the seniors showed in jumping into the computer world motivated him to establish It’s Never 2 Late. Jack speaks throughout the country, and internationally, on how adaptive technology should be accessible to all older adults in senior living communities.
It’s Never 2 Late specializes in constructing adaptive computer labs for older adults in all stages of life. Their unique combination of adaptive technology, plus ease of use software, allows individuals, regardless of any physical or cognitive disabilities, to be able to take advantage of the health and connectivity benefits of the Internet. They have connected thousands of seniors to technology, working in nursing homes, assisted living communities, independent living communities and adult day programs. They have set up over 600 programs in 49 US states, Canada, Australia and Northern Ireland. Their work has been recognized by Fox News, National Public Radio and the Wall Street Journal, and multiple senior living publications.
Eight Months In: An Analysis of the NH Healthcare Surrogate Decision-Making
Law and the Frequently Asked Questions
Katherine M. Hanna & Jason D. Gregoire -
Sheehan, Phinney, Bass, & Green
On January 1,2015, the landmark NH healthcare surrogacy decision-making law (RSA 137-J:34, et aL) took effect. The purpose of this program is to provide an understanding of the key provisions and operation of the suffogacy law, to discuss questions and issues that have arisen since the law's inception, to provide participants with a framework for resolving issues as they arise, and to discuss potential legislative amendments to resolve uncertainties in the law.
Participants will learn:
** The operation of the NH healthcare surrogate decision-making law, RSA I37-J:34, et al.
** Common issues that arise and how to resolve these issues in real time.
** Potential legislative amendments to the law to fix perceived ambiguities and commonly confused provisions.
Katherine Hanna is Chair of Sheehan Phinney's Health Care Practice Group. She serves as general and special counsel to hospitals, nursing homes, and physician and dental practices. She advises providers on corporate, contracting, regulatory compliance, credentialing, employment, risk management, and patient care issues.
Jason Gregoire works primarily in the areas of healthcare and litigation. He advises providers on regulatory, contracting, licensing, reimbursement, risk management, and patient care issues. He is Chair of the NH Bar Health Law Section and serves on the NHHCA Education Committee.
A New Look at Best Practices for Pain Management
Pam Heckman-Project Coordinator, Nursing Home Task Lead, New England Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Network (NE QIN-QIO)
This program will discuss how to use a team approach to pain management and identify current best practices.
Participants will learn:
** How a resident can trigger the short or long-stay MDS 3.0 Quality Measure for self-reported pain.
** To identify five (5) or more non-pharmacologic interventions for pain management.
** New approaches to improve pain assessment reliability.
Pamela Heckman RN, BSN, has joined Qualidigm, the New England QIN-QIO, as a Project Coordinator where she will collaborate with providers and stakeholders on quality improvement initiatives. Qualidigm will serve as the new QIN-QIO for the states of New Hampshire, Vermont and Connecticut as a sub-contractor to Healthcentric Advisors which was awarded the six state QIN-QIO contract by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Ms. Heckman was previously employed for 15 years by Northeast Health Care Quality Foundation, the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization for the States of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont where she worked as a Quality Improvement Specialist with Nursing Homes.
Ms. Heckman graduated from D’Youville College in Buffalo, New York with her Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Nursing. She worked for over 17 years in home health care in Buffalo before moving to New Hampshire. During her time in Buffalo,
Ms. Heckman was supervisor the Episcopal Long Term Home Health Care Program, and supervisor of the Episcopal AIDS Home Care Program. She also participated in the development of Benedict House, the first home in Western New York for people living with AIDS.
Ms. Heckman resides in Durham, New Hampshire.
Mid-Morning Breakouts (1.0 CEUs)
9:30a - 10:30a
The world around us is constantly changing and long term care is no exception. Social work services must also change with the times. Social workers are perfectly matched into this evolving world of person directed approaches, community based services and competency based approaches to long term care. This session will focus on strengths based social work and how it can be used to enhance the quality of services within the social work department and the facility.
Participants will be able to:
** Discuss the changing trends in social work and how that will impact resident care, assessment and discharge planning.
** Recognize core geriatric population competencies.
** Identify their own personal and professional strengths and to build their own competencies.
** Utilize partnerships within their communities to enhance resident directed care.
Amy S. Girouard is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and a Principal for LTC Resources, LLC. She has been employed by and consulted for various healthcare facilities including corporate chains, local not-for-profits, and municipal homes. Consultation has consisted of creating policies, procedures and guidelines for social work departments and coordination with IDT to ensure quality of life and care for residents in long-term care. She was nominated and accepted into the UNH/IOD NH Leadership Series and will graduate in April 2014. She is an advocate for people with disabilities and an active volunteer for The Foundation for Angelman Therapeutics.
The Changing Trends in Social Work; How the trends put social work in the forefront of quality of care and quality of life in long term care.
Amy S. Girouard, MSW, LICSW -
Principle, LTC Resources, LLC
