Event Agenda

Keynote Presentation & Opening Session

Unconditional: When Minds Hurt, Love Heals

Speaker: Richard Lui, Director, MSNBC Reporter and Anchor

• NBC News/MSNBC Anchor Richard Lui and Producer Alex Lo share a behind-the-scenes look at his powerful new documentary 'UNCONDITIONAL,' which shows the emotional impact family members face as caregivers when a loved one is dealing with an illness. A delicate, well-sketched, and emotionally substantive unpacking of the many complicated feelings attached to tending to a family member either in distress or facing an incurable disease, the documentary 'UNCONDITIONAL' lends rich if melancholic dimension to the saying that life can only be understood backwards, though it must be lived forwards. Join us for a screening and keynote remarks. UNCONDITIONAL is Executive Produced by Maria Shriver, Montel Williams, Lauren Miller Rogen and Laurie Hernandez.

Nurturing the Caregiver:  Finding Joy in Your Journey

Facilitators: Maria Geary and Danelle McDonald

• Caregivers are invited to participate in a guided journal exercise meant to uplift and bring encouragement.

Medications for Treating Mental and Behavioral Symptoms in People with Dementia

Speaker: Kim G. Johnson, MD, Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Assistant Professor of Neurology at Duke University; Andrew J. Liu, MD, MS, Associate Professor of Neurology at Duke University

• This session will review medications that are often prescribed to treat cognitive and behavioral symptoms of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia, Lewy Body dementia, and vascular dementia. New anti-amyloid medications used for Alzheimer's disease will be reviewed. 

Encouraging the Heart of a Caregiver: Strategies for Finding Rest

Speaker: Rich Gwaltney, Regional Director, Corporate Chaplains of America

• Managing the stress of caring for a loved one can easily lead to burnout for both the personal and professional caregiver. In this session we will identify risk factors, available resources, and explore proven strategies to help caregivers find the rest and strength needed for their caregiving journey.

Lessons Learned from Family Caregivers: A Candid Conversation

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

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

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.

Durham Divas and a Dude

• Enjoy lunch with a live performance by Durham Divas and a Dude Entertainment. Led by the dynamic 73-year-old Dr. Louise Gooche, this unique senior cheer squad promises to deliver lighthearted fun, showcasing their vibrant spirit and zest for life.

Navigating Loss as a Caregiver

Speaker: Kristen Register Lakis, MDiv, LCSW, Assistant Director, Duke University Health System Employee Experience

• In this interactive session, learn more about the losses often experienced while caring for a loved one and how to navigate it day-to-day. 

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.

Medicare Fraud: Are You Prepared To Protect Your Benefits?

Speaker: Stephanie Bias, North Carolina Senior Medicare Patrol 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. 

Navigating Long-Term Care from a Public Advocate's Perspective

Speakers: Aimee Kepler and Autumn Cox,  Regional Ombudmsans, Central Pines Regional Council

• Learn about the types of long-term care and where to start with the placement process. During this session, speakers will review the admission process, payment options, how to handle conflict and problem reporting, and answer audience questions.
   

When Medicine Meets Humanism: Through the Eyes of Dementia

Speaker: Timothy Ihrig, MD, Ihrig MD & Associates

• In this session, palliative care doctor, Timothy Ihrig, MD, shares his personal experience with Alzheimer’s dementia as a physician and as a caregiver to his mother who had the disease. Learn more about dementia and the unique challenges it presents for those who are sick and the ones who care for them.

Navigating Loss as a Caregiver

Speaker: Kristen Register Lakis, MDiv, LCSW, Assistant Director, Duke University Health System Employee Experience

• In this interactive session, learn more about the losses often experienced while caring for a loved one and how to navigate it day-to-day.

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.

Navigating the Medicare Maze

Speaker: Rhonda Narron, Southeast Regional Manager, Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP); North Carolina Department of Insurance

• In this session, get answers to your Medicare questions.  Understand the difference between Medicare Advantage plans and original Medicare, why you might want a supplement plan, and learn about Medicare Part D.  

Navigating Long-Term Care from a Public Advocate's Perspective

Speakers: Aimee Kepler and Autumn Cox,  Regional Ombudmsans, Central Pines Regional Council

• Learn about the types of long-term care and where to start with the placement process. During this session, speakers will review the admission process, payment options, how to handle conflict and problem reporting, and answer audience questions.
   

When Medicine Meets Humanism: Through the Eyes of Dementia

Speaker: Timothy Ihrig, MD, Ihrig MD & Associates

• In this session, palliative care doctor, Timothy Ihrig, MD, shares his personal experience with Alzheimer’s dementia as a physician and as a caregiver to his mother who had the disease. Learn more about dementia and the unique challenges it presents for those who are sick and the ones who care for them.