Virtual Duke Caregiver Community Event Agenda

Presenter: Laura Blue, RN, DNP, Team Leader & VAD Coordinator, Duke University Hospital

• Living with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) provides a unique set of challenges for a patient and their caregiver as they deal with the impact of heart disease. There are needs for administering medications, transportation to medical appointments, and more. This session will share ways that caregivers of patients with LVADs can more efficiently complete daily activities and find resilience in their personal and professional lives.

Presenter: Jennifer Szakaly, Nationally Certified Care Manager and Guardian, Caregiving Corner

• Long-distance caregivers face unique challenges related to emergency management for loved ones, getting reliable information about care, and navigating a service system from hours or states away. In this session, we will look at those challenges, and provide potential solutions, education, and resources to long-distance caregivers.

Presenter: Jennifer Tyner, CMC, Aging Life Care™ Professional Lead Care Manager, AOS Care Management

• Learn how to prepare emotionally and financially to make your home a long-lasting one for you and your loved ones.

Presenter: Robin Zook, PharmD, Certified Geriatric Pharmacist    

• Medication therapy management is guided by a pharmacist and is intended to improve outcomes for people taking multiple medications. It includes five core elements: a review of medications, a personal medication record, an action plan, intervention or referral, and follow-up. This presentation will explore the how-tos of medication therapy management and how it can be valuable to reduce the risk of taking too many medicines.

Presenters:
Matt Hyde, Assistant Director of Patient Care Services Home Health, Duke HomeCare & Hospice
Latoya Galberth, MS, OTR/L, CDP, Galberth Health    

• This session will provide explain how physical, occupational, and speech therapy can help our aging population. We will discuss the use of adaptive equipment to help your patient or loved one at home and prevent injury to both of you.

Presenter: Christopher Jones, Associate Professor of Medicine, Duke Health

• We’ll discuss three main differences between palliative and hospice care and offer insight on when health insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid, will pay for additional support at home.

Presenter: Meike Wiest, MSW, CMC, Care Management and Guardianship Supervisor, Arosa

• What does guardianship mean beyond its legal statutes? Learn what adult guardianship is, the role and responsibilities of a guardian, and the benefits, limitations, and common misconceptions about guardianship. Meike Wiest, a licensed social worker, is not a legal professional and cannot provide specific legal advice.

Presenter: Stephanie E.  Bias, Coordinator, North Carolina Senior Medicare Patrol Program 

• Are you being a good steward of your Medicare benefits?  Americans lose $68 billion annually to  fraud, waste, and abuse. Join us for a conversation on ways to protect your benefits and how the North Carolina Senior Medicare Patrol Program can help you avoid these schemes.

Presenter: Frank Summers, Certified Financial Planner, Cetera Investors 

• Serious illnesses are expensive, and most caregivers make significant financial and personal sacrifices to care for a loved one. Learn how to fund care, avoid costly financial mistakes, and help caregivers manage their own finances.

Presenter: Jonathan Williams, Attorney, Clarity Legal Group    

• What legal tools do caregivers need to be familiar with to manage a loved one's care? We will discuss powers of attorney, advance health care directives, and other documents that can help caregivers manage their responsibilities.

Presenter: Audrey Galloway, Manager of Outreach and Federal Advocacy, AARP North Carolina

• Managing the costs associated with caregiving is not always easy. Learn financial tips to incorporate into your caregiving and hear about resources that can assist you.

Presenters: Daniel Parker, MD, Geriatric Medicine Specialist, Duke Health

• An overview of mild cognitive impairment and dementia will guide a conversation about diagnosing and managing these diseases. Learn strategies for interacting with those living with dementia, including how to approach safely, and ways to provide verbal support and responses that reduce distress.

Presenter: Melanie Bunn, RN, MS, Dementia Training Specialist, Dementia Alliance of North Carolina    

• Life is about changing what you can change and letting go of what you can't. When someone in your life is living with dementia, this distinction becomes even more important. This talk provides methods for how to care for a person with dementia while caring for yourself. It will include a discussion of the six "Ps" of behavior management: problem; person; possible cause; plain, practice; and pass it on.

Presenters:
Bobbi Matchar, MSA, MHA Facilitator, Director, Duke Dementia Family Support Program
Anne Marie Clifford, Daughter Caregiver

• When a loved one is diagnosed with dementia, you may feel overwhelmed. This panel discussion with family care partners will describe practical steps to make life easier and prepare for the future.