Home Duke Caregiver Community Event In-Person Duke Caregiver Community Event

Event Agenda

September 3 and Sept 4, 2025

8:00 am - 4:30 pm (EST)

Presentations at the Duke Caregiver Community Event will inform and educate you about your options for support from Duke Health and in the community.

Click each timeframe below to find information about presentations and resources available to you during the event. The schedule is the same on September 3 and September 4.

General Attendees

Click the arrow next to each time frame to expand the selection and read about the sessions.

Keynote Presentation & Opening Session

Caregiving

Chris Durrance, Director and Senior Producer of the Caregiving Documentary for WETA, and Producer at Ark Media and Tom Chiodo, Executive Producer of the Caregiving Documentary for WETA, and Executive Producer for Special Projects / National Productions

  • From the filmmakers behind The Gene: An Intimate History, and Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies, executive producer Bradley Cooper, and the producers at Ark Media, Lea Pictures, and WETA Washington, D.C., present Caregiving. This documentary frames the day-to-day realities of paid and unpaid caregivers in the United States by following a diverse group of caregivers who share personal stories. Weaving in history and context, it also follows people on the frontlines of the caregiving movement, as they fight to give caregivers the same safety, security, and support they provide for so many others. Caregiving reveals the state — and the stakes — of care in America, during an unprecedented moment in which there is an opportunity to transform our country’s caregiving system into one that works for us all.

    Attendees will be introduced to the movie through a selection of vignettes followed by a keynote presentation. 

Your Forever Home: Making Modifications for a Safe and Independent Future

Speakers: Lillian Lee and Jeanne Van Divender; AARP NC Volunteers

  • Help your loved one age in place in the comfort of home. Based on the AARP HomeFit Guide, this presentation will show you which home modifications can promote independence in an injury-free home.

Let the Leaves do the falling: Practical tips to avoid falls in older adults

Speaker: Geralldine (Geri) Keene, MSN, BA, ANP-BC, GS-C; Nurse Practicioner, Falls Prevention Clinic, Duke Population Health Management

  • Learn how lifestyle, clothing, and home layout can lead to falls. You'll get tips on simple changes you can make to fluid intake, sleep, footwear, and home environment to lower the risk of falls.

What Caregivers Need to Know in an Emergency

Speaker: Tracy Stell, BSN, RN, CNML, Duke Health Clinical Nurse Educator and Life Support Training Center Coordinator

  • Learn how to administer hands-only CPR and how to use an automated external defibrillator (AED). You'll also learn how to recognize a heart attack, stroke, bleeding, and hypoglycemia and how to help.

Hidden Gems: A Panel with Professionals on Caregiver Resource

Facilitator: Barbara "Bobbi" Matchar, MSW, MHA; Senior Advisor, Duke Dementia Family Support Program

  • Listen to the experts discuss how adult day programs like N.C. Project C.A.R.E., the VA Caregiver Program, and the N.C. Family Caregiver Support Program offer education, support, and respite to family caregivers.

Getting It Right: Legal Tools for Incapacity and Death

Speakers: Attorneys Mark O. Costley and Jonathan D. Williams, Clarity Legal Group

  • Learn about legal issues and tools related to incapacity and death, including estate planning tools such as powers of attorney, health care directives, wills, and trusts. Additionally, this session will discuss the role of guardianship and why it should be avoided if possible, and planning for eligibility for long-term care benefits such as Medicaid.

Comedy Show with Kiki Wynns

Kiki Wynns, PhD; Wynns Family Psychology

  • After 20 years of weaving humor into her practice as a Ph.D. clinical psychologist, Dr. Wynns, otherwise known as "Kiki," decided it was time to pursue comedy in its own right. A favorite in the Triangle and beyond, Kiki is known for her hilarious observations of human behavior, her outspoken love of vulnerability, and for working out her emotional issues in a group therapy session with the audience. She is the founder and creator of Ladies Laugh Lounge, a regular best-selling show at Goodnights Comedy Club.

M.E.D.S: Making Every Dose Safe

Speaker: Cindy Leslie A. Roberson, PharmD, BCACP, CPP; DukeWELL Population Health Management Office

  • This session will help family caregivers understand how taking multiple medications can affect health, how to spot and avoid risky medications, and practical tips for using medications safely.

Harmonizing Care: Using Music in Dementia Caregiving

Speaker: Darina Petrovsky, PhD, RN. assistant professor, Duke University School of Nursing, and Lisa Crose, Ph.D., RAC, volunteer community educator, Alzheimer's Association

  • Learn how integrating music into daily routines benefits individuals with dementia and their caregivers. This session provides actionable tools that can be immediately implemented and shared with both formal and informal caregivers.

Parkinson’s Disease and Caregiving – You Are Not Alone

Speaker: Diana Parrish, Senior Advancement Director at Carolinas Chapter of the Parkinson’s Foundation

  • Because the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease varies widely, it impacts every family differently. Join other caregivers as you share about the challenges you face and learn about available resources.

Burnout Prevention: Self-Care for Caregivers

Speakers: Scott Carbonara, MA, BA; CEO of Spiritus Communications

  • Managing the stress of caring for a loved one can easily lead to burnout, a painful place where you struggle physically or emotionally to keep going. This session will equip you with proven strategies to help you care for yourself while caring for others.

Reframing Problem Behaviors in Dementia Care

Speaker: Teepa Snow, MS, OTR/L, ECHM; founder of Positive Approach to Care™ and Snow Approach Foundation

  • When people living with dementia do or say certain things, we are often quick to label these as problem behaviors. However, as care partners, we often do not realize the role that we play in these challenging situations. Learn effective ways to support all involved when these challenges arise.

Medicare Fraud: Are You Prepared To Protect Your Benefits?

Speaker: Stephanie Bias, North Carolina Senior Medicare Patrol Program Coordinator; North Carolina Senior Medicare Patrol(NCSMP) Program Coordinator

  • Each year, $68 billion is lost to Medicare fraud -- learn how to protect yourself and your Medicare benefits. In this session, we’ll explore how fraud happens and how to prevent significant losses. Hear about the latest scams, the importance of securing your Medicare number, and how to check your statements for accuracy. Plus, learn how to report suspected fraud, errors, waste, and abuse.

Lessons Learned from Family Caregivers: A Candid Conversation

Facilitator: Natalie Leary, MSW, LCSW, Director, Duke Dementia Family Support Program

  • Family care partners will share their advice, observations, and wisdom gained from caring for a loved one.

Laughter Yoga: Laughter as Medicine

Speaker: Lisa Levine, Senior Director of Programs, Dementia Alliance of North Carolina

  • In this session, we will laugh together even if it is difficult to find the blessing in the mess. Laughter Yoga combines laughter exercises with yoga breathing. It is a unique concept where anyone can laugh for no reason, without relying on humor, jokes, or comedy.

Reframing Problem Behaviors in Dementia Care

Speakers: Teepa Snow, MS, OTR/L, ECHM; founder of Positive Approach to Care™ and Snow Approach Foundation

  • When people living with dementia do or say certain things, we are often quick to label these as problem behaviors. However, as care partners, we often do not realize the role that we play in these challenging situations. Learn effective ways to support all involved when these challenges arise.

Balancing Love and Finances: A Workshop for Family Caregivers

Michael Lewis, CFA, MBA; Family Legacy Financial Solutions, LLC

  • This session explores strategies to protect families from financial devastation through behavioral finance coaching, financial planning, and advanced technology. It highlights tax planning, federal assistance programs, and North Carolina-specific resources to support caregivers in managing expenses and ensuring long-term financial stability.

Professional Attendees

Click the arrow next to each time frame to expand the selection and read about the sessions.

In support of improving patient care, Duke University Health System Clinical Education and Professional Development is accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), to provide continuing education for the health care team. The designation was based upon the quality of the educational activity and its compliance with the standards and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). In order to receive these CEs you must attend the professional track of sessions and pay the professional attendee fee.

Beyond the Breaking Point: Recognizing, Preventing, and Overcoming Burnout in Healthcare

Speaker: Rich Gwaltney, caregiver advocate

  • Join us as we explore and define burnout, its prevalence in healthcare, and the emotional, physical, and professional consequences. This session will discuss the root causes of burnout and provide practical strategies to address it at individual, team, and organizational levels. Together, we’ll identify actionable steps, available resources, and ways to nutrure well-being within the healthcare community.

The Healing Power of Humor

Speaker: Kristen Wynns, PhD, Wynns Family Psychology

  • This session will review key types of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and how they could be used in health care. Dr. Poon will also review how to ensure AI is used responsibly and invite participants to envision how AI could be applied to their daily work.

Personality Crash: A Father/Daughter Chronicle of Love and Loss

Speaker: Safi Alia Shabaik

  • A father and daughter turn to photography to confront his disease and inevitable death. This session will focus on her caregiving journey, how they navigated his diagnosis, their use of photography as a bridge, and how it strengthened family bonds.

Emerging Trends in Death Care: Aquamation, Green Burial, and the Future of the Funeral Industry

Speaker: Hunter Beattie, founder of Endswell: A Modern Funeral Home

  • Join us for an enlightening discussion on diverse death practices from around the globe, the evolution of the modern funeral industry, and the latest trends in death care. We'll explore topics such as aquamation (water cremation) and green burial. Attendees will gain insights into the funeral customs of our ancestors, the development of today's funeral industry, and important aspects like costs and consumer rights. Additionally, we'll cover how to plan ahead with a funeral home and the increasing interest in eco-friendly and personalized death care options.

On-Site Activities

Resource and Exhibit Hall

  • Visit our expansive exhibit hall to interact with representatives from 100+ organizations, gather information, and discover tools that can assist in every aspect of caregiving. From medical supplies to homecare options, support groups, and new places to call home, it’s all here under one roof.

Durham Medical Orchestra (8:00 am - 9:00 am)

The Durham Medical Orchestra (DMO) is a community orchestra based in Durham, North Carolina, composed of healthcare professionals, community members, and students. Under the direction of Verena Mösenbichler-Bryant the orchestra will have an ensemble playing in the gallery during registration.

Duke Health Career Information Drop-in (8:00 am - 3:00 pm)

Jacqueline Huff, Talent Acquisition Consultant, Duke University Health System Talent Acquisition

Location: Park Boardroom

  • Explore career opportunities with Duke Health and be part of our compassionate commitment to advance health. Learn how Duke’s Total Rewards Program is designed to support you — both on and off the clock. Drop in any time during the event or email Jackie to connect (Jacqueline.Huff@Duke.edu) or schedule a call with her to discuss a career with Duke Health.

Dogs with a Purpose (12:40 pm - 1:00 pm)

  • Visit with certified therapy dogs after lunch. Dogs with a Purpose are coming to be part of your wellbeing. The benefits of certified therapy dog visits include facilitating a sense of calm and relaxation as well as lowering anxiety, alleviating loneliness, and even normalizing heart rate and blood pressure.

Maintain “Power” Over Your Healthcare with a Health Care Power of Attorney (HCPOA) (8:00 am - 3:30 pm; closed 10:30-11:30)

Facilitators: Clarity Legal Group and Duke HomeCare & Hospice

Location: Windsor Board Room

  • The significance of a Health Care Power of Attorney is profound, as it ensures a person’s medical preferences are respected even when they cannot communicate them. Whether due to illness, injury, or incapacitation, having a trusted individual empowered to act in your best interest provides peace of mind for you and those you love. A team of professionals will be available to help you understand the nuances of Health Care Powers of Attorney in North Carolina and equip you with concrete “next steps.”

Creating A Safe Space (8:00 am - 3:30 pm)

Facilitator: Marie Dagger, MS, OTR/L, ECHM; Aging Transitions Occupational Therapist,
Orange County Department on Aging

Location: Exhibit Hall

  • Aging and living with chronic illness can cause challenges for mobility as well as increase an older adult's risk of falling. The Duke Caregiver Community Event will feature a before-and-after demonstration of how to modify an older adult’s living space, remove potential hazards, and make a safer environment. Home modification professionals and physical and occupational therapists will be present to talk about common household hazards and how they can be eliminated or modified to reduce the risk of falling.

Virtual Dementia Tour™ (8:00 am - 3:30 pm)

Spring Arbor Senior Living

Location: Bull Durham

  • The Virtual Dementia Tour™ is an up-close, hands-on experience to help caregivers better understand some of the seemingly inappropriate and, at times difficult, behaviors exhibited by those with dementia. Attendees of the Virtual Dementia Tour™ will gain a greater understanding of dementia through the use of patented sensory tools and instruction. 

DukeWELL-ness Clinic (8:00 am - 4:00 pm)

Location: Exhibit Hall

Experience a comprehensive 15-minute wellness visit! Our dedicated team will assess vital aspects of your health and offer a wide range of services to support your overall well-being:

  • Screenings: BMI, blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetic screening, mental health assessments, vision screening, stress screenings, and free prescription eyewear for the uninsured.
  • Retina Screenings: Retina screenings to detect early signs of eye conditions.
  • Flu Shots: Flu shots to help protect you during flu season.
  • Primary Care Appointments: Schedule comprehensive health evaluations.
  • Imaging Services: Mammography, lung education, and cardiac scoring.
  • Community Outreach: Connect with social workers for assistance with housing, nutrition, and other social services.
  • Body Mechanics -- Save Your Back!: Join our occupational therapist for a 3-part series on Bed Mobility, Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Transfers, and Adaptive Equipment. Learn safe transfer techniques to protect your body, especially your back.
     

Personality Crash: Portraits of My Father Who Suffered From Advanced Stages of Parkison's Disease, Dementia and Sundowners Syndrome (8:00 am - 4:30 pm)

By: Safi Alia Shabaik

  • Personality Crash: Portraits of My Father Who Suffered from Advanced Stages of Parkinson's Disease, Dementia and Sundowners Syndrome examines the human condition when altered by disease, from an intimate perspective. The work presents the artist’s personal story, but also serves as a universal reminder of what it means to be human. It is an exploration of loss – their father’s loss of autonomy and self, and their own loss of the father she’d known her whole life. This is a testament to the power of love and family bonds in the face of adversity.