LeadingAge Missouri

Management Strategies for Workers Compensation in Today’s Long-Term Care Environment - August 13-14, 2025
2025-08-13 09:00 - 12:00, 2025-08-14 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago)
Seminar is Free for Leading Age and HCFM members. Cost is $75 for non-members.
Program Objective: Learn the elements of Total Safety Management, a comprehensive behavior- based safety program, to reduce employee injury and minimize workers compensation expense. Learn about claims management and the HCFM workers compensation insurance trust.
Register Here! August 13-14
Aug 13 https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcrcO-sqj0sGdOJ3NzOeXmbqj44JTvfNo9I
Aug 14 https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEqfu2oqTMvH9UoBFQ6pIx8yCuKGybrRCjn
Day 1 Agenda
9:00-9:30 Background and Overview of HCFM Anthony Ross, Carpenter and Company
9:30-10:15 Total Safey Management Jake Woolfenden/Jill Burford, Summit Safety
10:15-10:30 Break
10:30-11:45 Total Safety Management (cont.) Jake Woolfenden/Jill Burford, Summit Safety
Day 2 Agenda
9:00-10:15 Claims Management Lucille DiMaria/Michael Moll, Corvel
10:15-10:30 Break
10:30-11:30 Drug Testing Angela Garrison, Tomo Drug Testing
11:30-11:45 Wrap up Jill Burford, Summit Safety
Continuing Education Credits: Approved for 5.0 Administrator Clock Hours by the Missouri Board of Nursing Home Administrators. (TA# 015-32-26)

Free Learning Webinar - Bespoke Psychiatry presents: Challenging the Stigma: How Nursing Home Staff Can Advocate for Mental Health Care
2025-08-20 13:00 - 14:00 | https://meet.google.com/qbz-wabi-ibf
Please join us on Wednesday, August 20th at 1pm for a webinar facilitated by Dr. Krushen Pillay, DO, Board Certified Adult and Geriatric Psychiatrist and Chief Medical Officer at Bespoke Psychiatry. He will be presenting on how to advocate for long term care residents to engage mental health and psychiatric services.
Join us each 3rd Wednesday of the month for our monthly webinar series:
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/qbz-wabi-ibf
Or dial: ‪(US) +1 754-702-3137 PIN: ‪501 812 005#

Join Here

More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/qbz-wabi-ibf?pin=7778447725451

2025 LeadingAge Collaborative Healthcare in Aging Services Webinar Series
2025-08-26 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-09-23 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-10-28 12:00 - 13:00, 2025-11-25 12:00 - 13:00
2025-Healthcare-in-Aging-Services-Webinar-Series-

Planetary Science - High-Level Mars Update - Free Activity Event
2025-08-28 18:00 - 19:00
Talk Title: Robots and the Red Planet: NASA’s Explorers on Mars
Talk Description: NASA’s robotic fleet, including orbiters, landers and rovers, have enabled key science discoveries on Mars over the course of 60 years. From Mariner 4’s first flyby in 1965 to the Ingenuity helicopter’s historic first flight in 2021, NASA spacecraft have changed our understanding of Mars’ past and present conditions. Questions about Mars continue to drive NASA’s present and future mission plans, including whether life ever took hold on the Red Planet, and whether human explorers will one day take the first steps on Mars.
Speaker: Sarah Marcotte (NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory)
Speaker Bio:

Sarah Marcotte is the NASA STEM Engagement Network group lead, based at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. She leads NASA’s Solar System Ambassadors Program, managing a U.S. nationwide network of 1,240 volunteer ambassadors who engage communities across classrooms, museums, planetariums, and media with the latest in space exploration and discoveries.
Prior to this role, Sarah was the public engagement lead for the Mars Exploration Program. She worked with museums and planetariums across the country on exhibits and programs relating to Mars, organizing live and virtual events for the media and the public to make complex mission details engaging and accessible to everyone.

Webinar Connection Info:

Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 213 242 567 653 3
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Join by phone: +1-256-715-9946 (phone conference ID: 114 544 196#)

Webinar: DEMENTIA CARE 101: Delusions, Hallucinations and Hoarding: When is it Time to Engage?
2025-08-29 09:00 - 10:00 | https://leadingagemissouri.org/event/webinar-dementia-care-101-delusions-hallucinations-and-hoarding-when-is-it-time-to-engage/
Join Carrie Chiusano as she shares her expertise from working at a Dementia Care Center of Excellence, focusing on how to effectively assist individuals living with dementia who experience delusions and hallucinations. Learn the importance of balancing your own reality and entering into theirs to provide compassionate and effective care.
Learning Objectives:
1. Understand the diverse spectrum of dementia and cognitive decline to enhance diagnostic awareness and intervention planning.
2. Examine the symptoms, progression patterns, and underlying causes of various dementia types, distinguishing normal aging processes from the early signs of Alzheimer’s and related conditions.
3. Discover evidence-based strategies for common challenges faced by individuals and caregivers in effectively supporting residents experiencing cognitive decline.
About the Presenter:
Carrie has 30 plus years of long-term care experience with Presbyterian SeniorCare Network, most of which have been dedicated to creating and evolving the Woodside Place Philosophy of specialty care for persons living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Prior to being appointed Executive Director for the Presbyterian SeniorCare Network Dementia Care Center of Excellence in January 2016, Carrie served as the Administrator for Woodside Place of Oakmont, which opened in 1991 and was one of the nation’s first dementia-specific residential care communities specifically designed to meet the holistic needs of older adults living with Alzheimer’s and related dementias. She was instrumental in championing the Culture Change initiative for the Network, which led to us becoming CARF accredited in 2011 (ongoing accreditation through 2024) in Person Centered Care.
As Executive Director, Carrie is responsible for the integration of dementia care services across the care and service continuum which comprise the Network. In this role, Carrie:
• Champions dementia care program development to offer a uniquely innovative and meaningful compendium of options for individuals living with Alzheimer’s and related dementias. The result is a vibrant and fluid interactions which are both personalized by for the individuals while assuring consistent quality across the continuum.
• Plans and implements ongoing educational sessions which ensure every team member, at every level of the organization has the deep and rich knowledge and competencies to meet the holistic needs of individuals living with Alzheimer’s and related dementia.
• Builds and maintains strategic partnerships to support the Network in our goal of enhancing the quality of life both for the individuals impacted by the disease as well as family caregivers supporting those living with the disease.
Carrie is the Champion for: the Network’s Dementia Care Integration team, CARF accreditation in Dementia Care and the creation of the Dementia Care Center of Excellence: Expanding our Reach through the Center for Innovation and Care Transformation. In addition to her service on numerous industry association boards, Carrie is a certified trainer for the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners in dementia care.
Approved for 1 PC CEU: TA-015-42-26DL

Webinar: DEMENTIA CARE 101: Strategies to Assist the Aging Adult with Sensory Changes
2025-09-09 09:00 - 10:00 | https://leadingagemissouri.org/event/webinar-dementia-care-101-strategies-to-assist-the-aging-adult-with-sensory-changes/
In this session, Carrie Chiusano will leverage her expertise from Dementia Care Centers of Excellence to help caregivers distinguish between normal aging and aging with a dementia diagnosis to apply best practices navigating the environment. Those with Alzheimer’s Disease or related dementias often experience sensory stimuli differently or more intensely as their condition progresses, and may not be able to identify or communicate needs effectively. Understanding these differences is crucial for providing appropriate care and support to aging individuals in memory care.
Learning Objectives:
1. Understand the diverse spectrum of dementia and cognitive decline to enhance diagnostic awareness and intervention planning.
2. Examine the symptoms, progression patterns, and underlying causes of various dementia types, distinguishing normal aging processes from the early signs of Alzheimer’s and related conditions.
3. Discover evidence-based strategies for common challenges faced by individuals and caregivers in effectively supporting residents experiencing cognitive decline.
About the Presenter:
Carrie has 30 plus years of long-term care experience with Presbyterian SeniorCare Network, most of which have been dedicated to creating and evolving the Woodside Place Philosophy of specialty care for persons living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Prior to being appointed Executive Director for the Presbyterian SeniorCare Network Dementia Care Center of Excellence in January 2016, Carrie served as the Administrator for Woodside Place of Oakmont, which opened in 1991 and was one of the nation’s first dementia-specific residential care communities specifically designed to meet the holistic needs of older adults living with Alzheimer’s and related dementias. She was instrumental in championing the Culture Change initiative for the Network, which led to us becoming CARF accredited in 2011 (ongoing accreditation through 2024) in Person Centered Care.
As Executive Director, Carrie is responsible for the integration of dementia care services across the care and service continuum which comprise the Network. In this role, Carrie:
• Champions dementia care program development to offer a uniquely innovative and meaningful compendium of options for individuals living with Alzheimer’s and related dementias. The result is a vibrant and fluid interactions which are both personalized by for the individuals while assuring consistent quality across the continuum.
• Plans and implements ongoing educational sessions which ensure every team member, at every level of the organization has the deep and rich knowledge and competencies to meet the holistic needs of individuals living with Alzheimer’s and related dementia.
• Builds and maintains strategic partnerships to support the Network in our goal of enhancing the quality of life both for the individuals impacted by the disease as well as family caregivers supporting those living with the disease.
Carrie is the Champion for: the Network’s Dementia Care Integration team, CARF accreditation in Dementia Care and the creation of the Dementia Care Center of Excellence: Expanding our Reach through the Center for Innovation and Care Transformation. In addition to her service on numerous industry association boards, Carrie is a certified trainer for the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners in dementia care.
Approved for 1 PC CEU: TA-015-42-26DL

Navigating OBBBA: What Senior Living Providers Need to Know - Free Member Virtual Learning Event
2025-09-09 10:00 - 23:00
Navigating OBBBA: What Senior Living Providers Need to Know
Shared in conjunction with LeadingAge IL
OVERVIEW
The budget reconciliation bill—dubbed OBBBA—introduces sweeping healthcare funding and policy reforms that will directly shape the future of senior living and aging services. In this session, members from CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen) will break down the bill’s most significant provisions, highlighting how they will uniquely affect providers across the senior care continuum—from independent and assisted living to skilled nursing, life plan communities, home health, and community-based services.
We will examine unprecedented Medicaid funding reductions—the largest in decades—and explore how these reductions, along with other OBBBA provisions, will impact states differently, creating varying operational and financial pressures for providers. Beyond Medicaid, we will address ripple effects on reimbursement, care delivery models, and market access, as well as opportunities for organizations to adapt and thrive.
Additionally, CLA will outline high-priority tax planning strategies that may effect you as an individual as well as your non-profit Organizations. There may also be some changes related to energy credits under the Inflation Reduction Act of interest.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

Analyze the OBBBA’s major Medicaid policy changes and funding reductions and assess their operational and financial implications for different senior living and service models while also highlighting funding available to states through the rural transformation fund
Evaluate how state-level variations in policy implementation will create unique challenges and opportunities for providers in long-term care, home- and community-based services, and post-acute care.
Identify specific tax provisions that were extended or enhanced and determine how these changes can be leveraged or addressed for senior living organizations.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Providers across the senior care continuum—from independent and assisted living to skilled nursing, life plan communities, home health, and community-based services
Virtual Link: Class Material and Zoom link will be sent two days prior
Presenters:
Jennifer Boese, MS, Director, Health Care and Life Sciences
CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP)
Chad Kunze, Principal, Health Care and Life Sciences
CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP)
FEES
Provider and Business Members: Free

Free Learning event: AI and Tech Trends in Senior Living @ John Knox Village
2025-09-16 15:00 - 18:30 | Meadows at John Knox Village, 1800 NW O'Brien Road, Lees Summit, MO, 64081, United States
AI and Tech Trends in Senior Living
Summary
AI is reshaping senior living by automating tasks, improving resident engagement, and enhancing predictive care. This session provides expert insights into AI trends, governance, and ethical considerations to help leaders make informed decisions. Participants will learn how AI can optimize operations, personalize resident experiences, and maintain data security and compliance. By embracing AI and technology strategically, senior living communities can drive efficiency while ensuring ethical and responsible implementation.
Learning Objectives

Analyze current AI and emerging tech trends including falls prevention, robotics, and resident monitoring and their impact on senior living operations and care delivery.
Evaluate governance and ethical considerations to ensure responsible tech adoption and compliance.
Develop strategies for implementing AI solutions that enhance efficiency while maintaining human oversight and trust.

Sponsored by Value 1st!
Join us for a fellowship event after the education from 5pm-6:30pm @ John Knox Village
Sponsored by: Symbria and U.S. Foods Hosted by: John Knox Village

Planetary Science - Exploring the Moon with Laser Retroreflectors - Free Activity Event
2025-09-18 18:00 - 19:00
Talk Title: Mirrors on the Moon: 56 Years of Science and A New Era of Exploration
Talk Description: The astronauts of Apollo 11 placed an array of special mirrors on the surface of the Moon, kicking off 56 years (and counting) of the science of Lunar Laser Ranging. Lunar Laser Ranging involves the use of lasers to measure the precise range between the Earth and the Moon, which in recent years has reached the millimeter level. This is equivalent to measuring the distance from New York to Los Angeles down to the width of a human hair. This discussion will cover the amazing science that has come from five decades of measurements and will also include the new project to distribute miniaturized versions of the Apollo mirrors across the lunar surface, ushering in a new era for navigation on the Moon.
Speaker: Dr. Daniel Cremons (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)
Speaker Bio: Dr. Daniel Cremons is a Research Scientist in the Planetary Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Laboratory at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). He received his Ph.D. in materials science from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN in 2017 and has worked at NASA GSFC ever since. He is currently developing scientific instruments to study ice on the Moon and for measuring dust and winds on Mars. He works to develop new techniques and methods that support science and exploration goals in the fields of infrared spectroscopy, optics, and laser physics. He recently led the optical testing and flight qualification of laser retroreflector arrays for the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program. These arrays have flown on international and CLPS missions. These retroreflector arrays will create a permanent fiducial network of beacons that can be tracked with centimeter precision from lunar orbit with a laser altimeter.
Webinar Connection Info:

Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 230 753 560 809 6
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Join by phone: +1-256-715-9946 (phone conference ID: 808 639 586#)

LeadingAge Missouri Annual Business Meeting & Expert Trends from NIC
2025-10-07 15:00 - 16:00 | https://leadingagemissouri.org/event/leadingage-missouri-annual-business-meeting-expert-trends-from-nic/
Beyond the Boom: Supply, Demand, and Changing Sector Dynamics
Presenter: Lisa McCracken, Head of Research and Analytics, NIC
We are in the midst of historical times in our sector with compelling demographics and the increasing need for housing and support services among older adults. Will those tailwinds cushion us from potential threats to what we currently offer today’s customers? How is our sector changing and how will we need to pivot to remain viable? This session will cover an overview of the key supply and demand trends in the sector and an outlook for what lies ahead.
Demand Trends in Senior Living

Demographic trends

National, Missouri, select MO markets

Consumer Characteristics (Boomers, Gen X)

Solo agers, Net worth/income, Preferences

Workforce

Existing Market Fundamentals & Growth

2Q25 Market Fundamentals (Occupancy, record-level absorption, unit growth, construction starts at record lows, etc.)

National, Missouri, select MO markets

Growth (affiliations/acquisitions, expansions, new developments, emerging models)
Insights into NFP vs FP growth
“Attainable housing” – affordability
Supply & demand dynamics – future supply shortage?

Outlook for Senior Living Sector:

Opportunities
Threats

Discussion, Q&A
Approved for 1 Administrator CEU (TA-015-43-26DL)

Management Strategies for Workers Compensation in Today’s Long-Term Care Environment - October 8-9, 2025
2025-10-08 09:00 - 12:00, 2025-10-09 09:00 - 12:00
Seminar is Free for Leading Age and HCFM members. Cost is $75 for non-members.
Program Objective: Learn the elements of Total Safety Management, a comprehensive behavior- based safety program, to reduce employee injury and minimize workers compensation expense. Learn about claims management and the HCFM workers compensation insurance trust.
Register HERE! October 8-9
Oct 8 https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwudO-oqz4rHNanU7r1u4ZtnytX9NN35e9H
Oct 9 https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIqdu-upzorEtUGHILCpzFvP4DVum7rPMS8
Day 1 Agenda
9:00-9:30 Background and Overview of HCFM Anthony Ross, Carpenter and Company
9:30-10:15 Total Safey Management Jake Woolfenden/Jill Burford, Summit Safety
10:15-10:30 Break
10:30-11:45 Total Safety Management (cont.) Jake Woolfenden/Jill Burford, Summit Safety
Day 2 Agenda
9:00-10:15 Claims Management Lucille DiMaria/Michael Moll, Corvel
10:15-10:30 Break
10:30-11:30 Drug Testing Angela Garrison, Tomo Drug Testing
11:30-11:45 Wrap up Jill Burford, Summit Safety
Continuing Education Credits: Approved for 5.0 Administrator Clock Hours by the Missouri Board of Nursing Home Administrators. (TA# 015-33-26)

Lead with Curiosity: Coaching Practices to Unlock Potential in Clinical and Employee Outcomes
2025-10-15 08:00 - 16:00 | John Knox Village Pavillion, 520 NW Murray Road, Lee's Summit, MO, 64081, United States
LeadingAge Missouri/MC5 Roadshow
Lead with Curiosity: Coaching Practices to Unlock Potential in Clinical and Employee Outcomes
The challenges facing the long-term care workforce demand more than management, they call for leadership that inspires, supports, and centers care on the people we serve.
This interactive MC5 Roadshow session equips leaders and managers with the coaching skillset, mindset, and strategies needed to foster a collaborative coaching culture that enhances engagement, strengthens retention, and builds resilience across care teams.
Participants will explore practical coaching techniques such as active listening, paraphrasing, and open-ended questioning, while applying a coaching mindset to real-world supervisory challenges that directly impact resident outcomes. Through experiential exercises, guided reflection, and hands-on practice, attendees will gain the confidence to integrate coaching into daily leadership — unlocking potential, improving relationships, and creating stronger, more responsive care environments where both staff and residents thrive.
Objectives:

Demonstrate key coaching communication techniques including active listening, paraphrasing, and open-ended questioning to enhance staff engagement and strengthen team relationships in long-term care settings to better know and provide individualized care and services.
Apply a coaching mindset to real-world supervisory challenges by identifying opportunities for collaborative problem-solving and empowerment across diverse roles and departments to meet resident needs in a timely and effective manner.
Develop an individualized action plan to integrate coaching strategies into daily leadership practice resulting in more effective and enhanced communication and teamwork as staff work to meet residents needs improving resident and staff satisfaction, retention, and resilience.

About the Presenters:

Joan Devine, a registered nurse and former activity professional, has over 40 years of experience in healthcare, having served in leadership positions in long-term and acute care settings since 1990. Before retiring, she served as Director of Education with Pioneer Network where she led the development and implementation of educational programs. She continues to advocate for changing the culture of aging through work as an Eden Educator and Mentor as well as private consultation. Joan currently serves on the Board of the Ontario Association of Resident Councils, The National Association of Long-Term Care Volunteers and Missouri Coalition for Care Continuum Change. Joan is a Certified Eden Educator and Mentor and CDP. As an advocate for the LTC culture change movement, Joan has presented for state, national and international organizations including Pioneer Network, American Association of Medical Directors, LeadingAge, AHCA, and The Eden Alternative. She has been published in a variety of long-term care trade magazines, including Caring for the Ages and McKnight’s Long-Term Care and she was named a 2022 Woman of Distinction by McKnight’s Long-Term Care. Joan holds a B.A. in Music Education/Music Therapy, a B.S. in Nursing and an MBA in management.

Mary Hopfner-Thomas brings more than two decades of professional experience in education, leadership development, and communications to her role as Education Coach with AgingIN ℠, supporting The Green House Project ™, Pioneer Network, and EmpowerED. Since 2013, she has been instrumental in delivering Collaborative Coaching Cultures and other coaching-based programs that have equipped hundreds of leaders and team members nationwide with the skills to build stronger teams, foster resilience, and sustain meaningful culture change. Mary works with Green House Educators across the country and supports the AGingIN ℠ peer network, helping organizations embed person-directed practices that improve quality of life for both staff and elders.
Before joining AgingIN ℠, Mary spent eight years with the Erickson Retirement Communities and more than 15 years in video production, marketing, and television news—experience that informs her dynamic and engaging facilitation style. She holds a Master of Arts in Management of Aging Services from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and a Bachelor of Arts in Radio and Television from St. Cloud State University.
CEU’s being offered to Administrators (Approved for 6 PC hours TA-015-44-26), Social Workers, Activities, and CDP’s

Lead with Curiosity: Coaching Practices to Unlock Potential in Clinical and Employee Outcomes
2025-10-16 08:00 - 16:00 | Baptist Homes and Healthcare Ministries Convention, 400 E High Street, Jefferson City, MO, 65109, United States

Lead with Curiosity: Coaching Practices to Unlock Potential in Clinical and Employee Outcomes
2025-10-17 08:00 - 16:00 | Friendship Village Chesterfield, 15201 Olive Blvd, Chesterfield, MO, 63017, United States

Webinar: DEMENTIA CARE 101: The Emotional Needs of Persons Living with Dementia (& Tips for a Successful Holiday Season!)
2025-10-23 09:00 - 10:00 | https://leadingagemissouri.org/event/webinar-dementia-care-101-the-emotional-needs-of-persons-living-with-dementia-tips-for-a-successful-holiday-season/
Join Carrie Chiusano as she draws on her extensive experience as a Dementia Care Specialist to explore the critical aspects of communication and the environment influencing the behavioral symptoms of dementia, especially around holidays and special events. Discover how meaningful engagement not only enhances the lives of individuals living with dementia but also benefits their caregivers. Learn practical strategies for creating positive interactions and improving overall well-being as you prepare for the holiday season festivities with memory care residents.
Learning Objectives:
1. Understand the diverse spectrum of dementia and cognitive decline to enhance diagnostic awareness and intervention planning.
2. Examine the symptoms, progression patterns, and underlying causes of various dementia types, distinguishing normal aging processes from the early signs of Alzheimer’s and related conditions.
3. Discover evidence-based strategies for common challenges faced by individuals and caregivers in effectively supporting residents experiencing cognitive decline.
About the Presenter:
Carrie has 30 plus years of long-term care experience with Presbyterian SeniorCare Network, most of which have been dedicated to creating and evolving the Woodside Place Philosophy of specialty care for persons living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Prior to being appointed Executive Director for the Presbyterian SeniorCare Network Dementia Care Center of Excellence in January 2016, Carrie served as the Administrator for Woodside Place of Oakmont, which opened in 1991 and was one of the nation’s first dementia-specific residential care communities specifically designed to meet the holistic needs of older adults living with Alzheimer’s and related dementias. She was instrumental in championing the Culture Change initiative for the Network, which led to us becoming CARF accredited in 2011 (ongoing accreditation through 2024) in Person Centered Care.
As Executive Director, Carrie is responsible for the integration of dementia care services across the care and service continuum which comprise the Network. In this role, Carrie:
• Champions dementia care program development to offer a uniquely innovative and meaningful compendium of options for individuals living with Alzheimer’s and related dementias. The result is a vibrant and fluid interactions which are both personalized by for the individuals while assuring consistent quality across the continuum.
• Plans and implements ongoing educational sessions which ensure every team member, at every level of the organization has the deep and rich knowledge and competencies to meet the holistic needs of individuals living with Alzheimer’s and related dementia.
• Builds and maintains strategic partnerships to support the Network in our goal of enhancing the quality of life both for the individuals impacted by the disease as well as family caregivers supporting those living with the disease.
Carrie is the Champion for: the Network’s Dementia Care Integration team, CARF accreditation in Dementia Care and the creation of the Dementia Care Center of Excellence: Expanding our Reach through the Center for Innovation and Care Transformation. In addition to her service on numerous industry association boards, Carrie is a certified trainer for the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners in dementia care.
Approved for 1 PC CEU: TA-015-42-26DL

Midwest State Night Out @ LeadingAge National Conference
2025-11-02 18:00 - 19:30 | Cheers Boston, 84 Beacon Street, Boston, MA, 02108, United States
Midwest State Night: An Exclusive Networking Reception for LeadingAge Attendees
As you navigate the bustling LeadingAge National Conference in Boston, we invite you to take a break and join us for a special evening of connection and camaraderie at the Midwest State Night. This exclusive reception, hosted on Sunday, November 2nd from 6:00 to 7:30 pm at the iconic Cheers Bar, is a unique opportunity to network with your peers from LeadingAge Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, and Kansas.
This event is so much more than just a social gathering. It’s an opportunity to connect with your Midwest colleagues on a deeper level, to share your experiences, and to gain valuable insights that you can bring back to your own organizations. Indulge in delectable appetizers and drinks as you engage in thoughtful discussions and lighthearted conversations, all while surrounded by the charm and ambiance of one of Boston’s most celebrated watering holes. Plus, let’s be real, who doesn’t love a good laugh and a chance to let loose after a long day of sessions?
Don’t miss this opportunity to forge lasting connections and create unforgettable memories. Get your ticket now and get ready to immerse yourself in the warm, inviting spirit of the Midwest, right in the heart of Boston. We look forward to welcoming you to the Midwest State Night Out!

If you’d like to be a Sponsor or Co-host Midwest State Night Out- Please visit the links below
Co-Host Sponsor Link- https://leadingageil.org/product/state-night-co-host-sponsorship/
Event Sponsor Link- https://leadingageil.org/product/midwest-state-night-event-sponsorship/

Tipping Point: Exploring the Risks of Benefits Cliffs Among Direct Care Workers - Free Learning Event
2025-11-12 11:00 - 12:00 | https://leadingagemissouri.org/event/tipping-point-exploring-the-risks-of-benefits-cliffs-among-direct-care-workers-free-learning-event/
About the session:
Wage increases should move workers forward, but for many in the direct care workforce, they can instead trigger sudden losses in public benefits, leaving them financially worse off. This phenomenon, known as the benefits cliff, poses a serious challenge to recruitment, retention, and advancement in long-term care.
In this webinar, PositiveAge Executive Director Betsy Archer and Randi Hamill, MSW, Director of Workforce Development Initiatives for LeadingAge Ohio will share findings from a groundbreaking study examining how benefits cliffs affect direct care workers and what these results reveal about broader workforce and policy implications. You will gain insight into the financial realities facing direct care workers, learn how benefits cliffs can undermine wage growth, and explore strategies and policy approaches that can help create a more stable and sustainable care workforce.
Register here: LeadingAge Virginia
Following this session, you will be able to:

Define the concept of a benefits cliff and explain how it impacts the financial stability of direct care workers.
Interpret key findings from the recent study conducted by LeadingAge Virginia, PositiveAge, a LeadingAge Virginia Foundation, and PHI, including examples of how small wage increases can result in disproportionate losses of public benefits.
Analyze the broader implications of benefits cliffs on workforce recruitment, retention, and advancement within aging services.
Identify potential strategies and policy approaches to mitigate the efforts of benefits cliffs and support a more stable direct care workforce.

About the presenters:
Betsy Archer
Executive Director
PositiveAge, a LeadingAge Virginia Foundation
Learn more about Betsy and connect with her on LinkedIn.

Randi Hamill, MSW
Director of Workforce Development Initiatives
LeadingAge Ohio
Learn more about Randi and connect with her on LinkedIn.
There are NO Ceu’s for this event

2025 Hands-On Caregiver Virtual Micro-Conference
2025-11-13 08:00 - 17:15 | https://leadingagemissouri.org/event/2025-hands-on-caregiver-virtual-micro-conference/
Practical, people-first learning for your frontline caregivers
Presented by LeadingAge Missouri and LeadingAge Kansas
Choose the time that fits your team best:

Morning Session: 8:00 AM – 12:15 PM CT
Afternoon Session: 1:00 PM – 5:15 PM CT

The Hands-On Caregiver Virtual Conference delivers half-day, interactive training created specifically for direct-care team members in senior living and long-term-care communities. Each session provides practical tools to strengthen communication, documentation, empathy, and leadership on the front line of care. Both sessions feature the same content — simply choose the time that works best for your schedule.
Pro Tip: Buildings are encouraged to register multiple caregivers… one group for the morning and another for the afternoon, to ensure full team participation.

Registration Options

Individual Registration: $25
Building Registration (encouraged for groups of 12 or more attendees): $300
Non-Member: $50/person or $600/building

Morning & Afternoon Session Options
We encourage buildings to register multiple caregivers to attend. One way to send many caregivers through includes sending a group in the morning and a group to the afternoon.
Registrants are encouraged to attend either the morning or afternoon session entirely. It is not encouraged to attend some sessions in the morning and others in the afternoon. Share this Conference with Others on Your Team!

November 13, 2025
Morning Agenda

8:00-8:15 | Welcome & Housekeeping
8:15-9:30 | Dementia Care: Communication Through the Stages | Hollie Lowe, MA, LPC, NCC, James L. West Center for Dementia Care
9:30-9:40 | Break
9:40-10:20 | You Noticed, You Spoke Up, You Documented It: How Caregiver Documentation Impacts Lives and Outcomes | Treva Greaser, BSN, RN, CRRN, C-NE, LNHA, Treva Greaser Consulting
10:20-10:30 | Break
10:30-11:20 | Hospice 101: But I Don’t Work in Hospice! | Amy Hensley, MSN, RN, Before the Casket
11:20-12:00 | Leadership Keynote: Leading From Any Role | Karen Sturchio
12:00-12:15 | Closing & Housekeeping

Afternoon Agenda

1:00-1:15 | Welcome & Housekeeping
1:15-2:30 | Dementia Care: Communication Through the Stages | Hollie Lowe, MA, LPC, NCC, James L. West Center for Dementia Care
2:30-2:40 | Break
2:40-3:20 | You Noticed, You Spoke Up, You Documented It: How Caregiver Documentation Impacts Lives and Outcomes | Treva Greaser, BSN, RN, CRRN, C-NE, LNHA, Treva Greaser Consulting
3:20-3:30 | Break
3:30-4:20 | Hospice 101: But I Don’t Work in Hospice! | Amy Hensley, MSN, RN, Before the Casket
4:20-5:00 | Leadership Keynote: Leading From Any Role | Karen Sturchio
5:00-5:15 | Closing & Housekeeping

Continuing Education
This educational event is not approved for CE Credits for Administrators, Nurses, or otherwise. A Certificate of Completion will be provided to participants who complete an entire morning or afternoon session.
*Dates and Times are subject to change.

Registration Policy
Registration for the 2025 Hands-On Caregiver Virtual Conference includes digital handouts and tools for each of the sessions, connection(s) to the live conference (one connection per individual and one or multiple connections for buildings), and a Certificate of Attendance for each completed attendee. A recording of this conference is NOT included in the registration fee.
Cancellation Policies
Substitutions for events are always welcome. These individuals can be anyone employed on your campus, board members, resident family members, or residents. Substitutes must be made for the whole event.

PTSD and Behavioral Dysregulation: From Hyperarousal to Shutdown - Free Learning Webinar
2025-11-19 13:00 - 14:00
From our Business Member: Bespoke Psychiatry

In long-term care, up to one in five residents show trauma-related symptoms, yet these signs are often misread as dementia or resistance.
Join us for our upcoming webinar, PTSD and Behavioral Dysregulation: From Hyperarousal to Shutdown, to learn how you can improve care.
Date: November 19, 2025
Time: 1:00 pm
Speaker: Dr. Ahmed Maki, DO, Medical Director of Post-Acute Care and Inpatient Divisions

Join Here

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/qbz-wabi-ibf
Or dial: ‪(US) +1 754-702-3137 PIN: ‪501 812 005#
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/qbz-wabi-ibf?pin=7778447725451.

Debunking Digital Marketing Myths: Navigating the Buzz Around Traffic, Leads, and Automation - Free Learning Webinar
2025-12-05 14:00 - 15:00 | https://leadingagemissouri.org/event/debunking-digital-marketing-myths-navigating-the-buzz-around-traffic-leads-and-automation-free-learning-webinar/
Are you navigating the buzz around all things digital traffic, leads, automation, AI, and analytics in digital marketing?
Join this interactive webinar where we’ll tackle common misconceptions head-on! You’ll uncover truths, debunk myths, and gain actionable insights to elevate your marketing strategy. Don’t miss this engaging session, designed to help you separate fact from fiction and make smarter decisions in the ever-evolving digital landscape.
What you’ll learn:
➢ Spotting the Myths That Stall Growth: Learn how to identify common misconceptions about traffic, leads, and automation that can waste budget, overwhelm teams, or block occupancy growth.
➢ Separating Fact from Fiction in Strategy: Hear expert perspectives on hot takes like pricing transparency, lead aggregators, and automation—so you know what actually drives conversions in senior living marketing.
➢ Building Smarter Digital Playbooks: Walk away with practical insights and next steps to strengthen your traffic strategies, follow-up process, and automation tactics in 2026 and beyond.
Speaker: Sarah Sheridan
About Sarah Sheridan
Fueled by purpose, powered by pixels, Sarah brings 15+ years of marketing experience and a decade deep in senior living. She’s served marketing leadership roles on the operator side, worked on the vendor side at Sherpa CRM, and now leads agency-side at Smart Girl Digital with heart and strategy. Sarah makes complex marketing challenges feel downright simple and seriously effective.
Link to register: https://tinyurl.com/debunkingdigitalmyths
Approved for 1 Admin CEU TA-015-45-26

LeadingAge Missouri Holiday Celebration
2025-12-10 17:00 - 19:00 | Evertrue Meramec Bluffs, 50 Meramec Bluffs Drive, Ballwin, MO, 63021, United States
Please join us for an evening of celebration, food, drinks, fellowship and auction!
This event happens because of our great supporters!
A special thank you to Tyler Milner at EverTrue Meramec Bluffs for your coordination!

Planetary Science - Tiny Moon, Big Questions - Free Activity Event
2025-12-17 18:00 - 19:00
Our next senior living community outreach event is scheduled for Thursday, December 17 at 7:00 p.m. ET / 4:00 p.m. PT. This is a rescheduling of our October event – please see below for additional details. I have also attached an updated schedule, including a new date for our cancelled November event.

Talk Title: “Tiny Moon, Big Questions: The Astrobiology of Enceladus”
Talk Description:

Saturn’s tiny icy moon Enceladus has become one of the most exciting places in the solar system in the search for life beyond Earth. Beneath its frozen crust lies a global subsurface ocean, venting water and organic compounds into space through dramatic geysers. Thanks to NASA’s Cassini spacecraft (1997-2017), which flew through these plumes, we know that Enceladus hosts the essential ingredients for life as we know it: liquid water, energy, and complex organic chemistry. But is there anything living in this distant world?

In this talk, NASA Postdoctoral Fellow Dr. Erin Gibbons will explore the astrobiological potential of Enceladus, including how it was discovered, what Cassini revealed, and why scientists consider it one of the most promising places to search for extraterrestrial life. Along the way, we’ll connect Enceladus to the broader field of astrobiology (the study of life in the universe) and highlight future missions that could one day dive deeper into its hidden ocean.

Speaker: Dr. Erin Gibbons (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)
Speaker Bio: Dr. Erin F. Gibbons is an astrobiologist and organic geochemist whose research explores how organic molecules form, persist, and leave traces in extreme environments. She has conducted fieldwork in Antarctica and in glacial fields in Iceland to study planetary analogs, and she previously operated the Mars rover Perseverance as part of NASA’s mission science team. Dr. Gibbons earned her Ph.D. in Earth & Planetary Sciences from McGill University and is now a NASA Postdoctoral Fellow at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, where she investigates the astrobiological potential of worlds like Mars and the icy moons of the outer solar system. She is also dedicated to science communication and inspiring the next generation of explorers.
Webinar Connection Info:

Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 230 325 978 650 1
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Join by phone: +1-256-715-9946 (phone conference ID: 239 050 881#)

Assisted Living/RCF Virtual Conference
2026-02-10 09:00 - 2026-02-11 16:00 | https://leadingagemissouri.org/event/assisted-living-rcf-virtual-conference/
Join us for a 2-day virtual conference deep diving into issues important to Assisted Living and Residential Care Providers.
Registration: $189 / attendee. This rate applies to members and non-members.
Intended Audience: This conference was organized specifically for leaders and staff in assisted living, residential care, and/or state licensed only facilities.
Approved for 5 ADM and 5 PC CEU’s for MO LNHA/RCAL Administrators (TA# 015-47-26)
Session Schedule
All Times in CST. Sessions are 60 minutes with 15-minute breaks between.

Session Details
Day 1
Session 1
Leading With Emotional Intelligence: Shifting from Doing to Developing Others in Long-Term Care
Karen Sturchio, Regional Director of Operations, Oxford Senior Living
In the demanding world of long-term care, leaders often rise through the ranks by being exceptional doers—people who step in, take charge, and get things done. Yet, sustaining success at the administrative level requires a different skill set: one rooted in emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and the ability to empower others.
This session explores how emotionally intelligent leadership transforms “doing” into “developing.” Through practical examples and self-reflective activities, participants will learn how to strengthen self-awareness, delegate effectively, and coach their teams to higher levels of engagement and accountability—all while fostering a culture of empathy and trust.

Identify key components of emotional intelligence (EI) that impact leadership effectiveness in the long-term care environment.
Recognize personal tendencies that may hinder effective delegation and coaching, and apply strategies to shift from task-oriented to people-oriented leadership.
Demonstrate emotionally intelligent communication techniques to build trust, motivate staff, and cultivate a supportive, high-performing team culture.

Session 2
What to Report and When to Report It
Dawne Altis, Director of Survey, Certification, and Credentialing, Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services
During this session, attendees will explore the reporting the requirements used in the State Operations Manual regarding reportable incidents.

Identify reportable incidents and issues.
Understand the regulatory requirements regarding Facility Reported Incidents (FRI).
Required information and facility responsibilities in the reporting process.

Session 3
Bridging the Gaps: Models of Care for Seamless Transitions and Readmission Prevention
Lee Wilford, Chief Operating Officer, Puzzle Healthcare
Care transitions remain one of the most vulnerable points for older adults, particularly when moving from the hospital to assisted or independent living (AL/IL) or through hospital → SNF → AL/IL pathways. Fragmented systems, competing stakeholder priorities, and lack of continuity increase the risk of hospital readmissions. This session explores how models of care can reduce fragmentation, strengthen coordination, and prevent avoidable readmissions during these transitions. Drawing from evidence and best practices, participants will learn how providers and operators can align care strategies to reduce hospital utilization while supporting patient needs and system sustainability.

Define the role of models of care in preventing hospital readmissions across transitions from hospital to AL/IL or SNF to AL/IL.
Examine the impact of fragmented transitions on readmission rates and identify key risk factors.
Identify systemic and stakeholder-driven barriers to readmission prevention, including regulatory, financial, and organizational challenges.
Apply strategies for leveraging care teams, communication pathways, and operational protocols to reduce hospital utilization.
Explore innovative approaches to partnership between hospitals, SNFs, and AL/IL communities that improve outcomes and reduce readmission risk.

Session 4
The Medical Director’s Role in Assisted Living Facilities
Dr. Walter Lin, MD, MBA, Generation Clinical Partners
As resident acuity increases and expectations for aging in place continue to rise, assisted living communities are under growing pressure to deliver high-quality, clinically informed care while preserving their social and residential essence. This presentation examines how an engaged Medical Director can elevate clinical outcomes, enhance resident and family satisfaction, and strengthen organizational performance. Participants will learn to define the Medical Director’s essential responsibilities, implement practical strategies that drive measurable improvements in care, and position their communities for success amid a rapidly evolving assisted living landscape. Whether you’re an administrator, nurse, or physician leader, this session offers actionable insights to help your organization thrive in the new era of assisted living.

Explain the value of establishing an assisted living Medical Director position in the context of increasing resident acuity and the universal goal of aging in place.
Identify core responsibilities of the Medical Director in promoting quality, safety, and clinical excellence in assisted living communities.
Describe specific strategies the assisted living Medical Director can use to improve resident safety and outcomes.
Evaluate future challenges and opportunities for physician leadership in the evolving assisted living landscape.

Session 5
Community Programs: Creating & Maintaining Connections to Build Relationships
Michelle Haub, Special Programs Leader, Meadowlark Hills Retirement Community
Creating and maintaining community programs can be your gateway to improving quality of life for people living in your facility and in the greater community. Learn how to utilize your staff’s knowledge, skills and team strengths to develop the right connections for now and the future.

Identify the benefits of comprehensive community programs in enhancing quality of life for residents and individuals in the greater community.
Describe the unique roles that nurses, administrators, and therapists play in initiating, developing, and sustaining community partnerships.
Develop strategies to create sustainable connections with local organizations, volunteers, and support networks that align with residents’ & community needs and facility goals.
Identify methods for measuring the impact of community programs on resident well-being, staff satisfaction, and community relationships.

Day 2
Session 1
Assisted Living Emergency Preparedness Guidelines
Speaker TBD
Session Description TBD
Session Objectives TBD
Session 2
When Home Means Here: Rethinking Hospice in Assisted Living
Amy Hensley, MSN, RN, Co-Founder, Before the Casket
Death happens here. This session reframes leadership in assisted living: administrators will explore how to build stronger partnerships with hospice providers and retain your biggest assets: staff. Staff members—no matter their age or experience—often receive little more than a directive to move on to the next task. Acknowledging staff grief creates a culture of emotional support, and fosters resilience so your teams can provide extraordinary care, even in the hardest moments.

Create strategies to strengthen collaboration with hospice agencies to support resident-centered care.
Describe the various emotional impacts that resident deaths can have on assisted living staff.
Design practices to support staff grief when residents die in assisted living settings to foster resilience, reduce burnout, increase retention, and strengthen team cohesion.

Session 3
Who’s the Boss? Understanding Powers of Attorney, Guardianships, and Conservatorships
Jennifer Walters, Partner & Managing Attorney, Clinkscales Elder Law Practice, P.A.
A resident may have Powers of Attorney, Guardianship and/or Conservatorship documents that give authority to someone. It can be difficult to understand what each of these documents does and what authority they grant. The purpose of this presentation is to explain legal background of each document and what authority each conveys. I will include real life scenarios and how I have approached them.

Learn why guardianships and conservatorships are put in place.
Learn what authority Powers of Attorney, Guardianship and Conservatorships convey.
Understand how approach them when provided them in real life scenarios.

Session 4
Incorporating Different Dining Needs with Equity, Quality, and Consistency
Rebecca McCullough, MS, RDN, LD, CDP, FAND, NEXDINE Hospitality
This training is designed to equip dining and hospitality teams in assisted living with the tools and knowledge to deliver exceptional dining experiences that honor resident preferences, health needs, and cultural backgrounds. Participants will explore strategies for balancing individualized care with operational consistency, ensuring that every resident receives equitable access to high-quality meals regardless of dietary restrictions, medical conditions, or personal choices.

Resident Centered Assessment & Documentation
Individualized Menu Modification
Operational Consistency with Choice
Continuous Quality & Equity Monitoring

Session 5
Workforce Wake-Up Call: It’s Time to Recalibrate Our Work World
Cara Silletto, MBA, CSP, President & Chief Retention Officer, Magnet Culture
Finding and keeping lasting talent today is harder than ever because the employer-employee relationship has evolved. Staffing challenges – and their financial impact – are here to stay, and managers can no longer “do more with less” and still meet organizational goals and customer expectations. This new dynamic means serious changes are needed for organizations that want to keep their doors open. While many industries have normalized business practices that are no longer effective for managing today’s new workforce, executives hold the power to recalibrate to a more sustainable approach. Join us to uncover how to align your leadership team’s priorities, operationalize unavoidable turnover, and turn your culture from a vulnerability into a competitive advantage.

Explore the unique perspective of today’s new hires to avoid the growing disconnect between senior leaders and staff
Reconsider existing organizational priorities, budgets, and workloads to create greater sustainability
Equip leaders to become culture-building strategic partners with executive backing to accelerate results

A recording of this event is not included in the registration fee.

LeadingAge Missouri's 2026 Advocacy Day - Free Member Event
2026-02-18 10:30 - 17:00 | Millbottom Event Center, 400 W Main Street, Jefferson City, MO, 65101, United States
Please join us for our Annual Advocacy Day with LeadingAge Missouri.
10am-11:30am – Advocacy 101 (Approved for 1 Admin CEU TA#015-48-26)
11:30am-12:30pm – Lunch with Legislator (provided)
12:30pm-5:00pm – Capitol Visits (Transportation Provided) (Approved for 2 Admin CEU (TA# 015-48-26)

Thank you to our sponsors!

Making Sense of the Budget - Skills for Leaders at Every Level
2026-02-18 13:00 - 14:30 | https://leadingagemissouri.org/event/7995/2026-02-18/
This program has been approved for Continuing Education for 4.5 total participant hours by NAB/NCERS—Approval #20270217-3-A117586-DL.
1.5 NAB credits will be awarded per full session attended.
About the Series:
Budgeting is part of leadership, and we know it can feel intimidating. But it doesn’t have to.
If you want a clearer understanding of how decisions are made, how budgets are built, and how to use your numbers to lead more confidently, this series is for you.
Across three virtual sessions, we’ll guide you through understanding your organization’s business model, creating a budget grounded in real goals, and managing that budget throughout the year. You’ll walk away with practical tools, clearer expectations, and the confidence to participate fully in conversations that shape your organization’s future.
Following this series, you will be able to:

Understand how your organization’s business model shapes decisions and expectations, and see clearly how your role fits into that larger picture.
Translate organizational goals into practical budget needs for your department or area of responsibility.
Participate confidently in the annual budget process, knowing what’s expected at each step and how leaders contribute.
Use your budget as a year-round leadership tool to monitor performance, understand variances, and make informed decisions.
Communicate budget needs and results clearly, including when making the case for new resources or changes.

SESSION 1:
February 18, 2026 | 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm CST | 1.5 NAB Credits
Understanding Business Models and Your Role in Budgeting
Before you try to build or manage a budget, you need to understand the business objectives of your organization. In fact, you need to understand the business goals of the organization and how they impact what you as a leader need to do over the upcoming year. In this session, we will talk about the concept of a business model, how it applies to organizations, and how organizations can run multiple business models that have unique goals and objectives. We will also look at the business models of departments, and how that impacts the budget planning for a leader’s area of responsibility. Finally, we will look at the role of the leader in the annual budget process.
SESSION 2:
March 4, 2026 | 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm CST | 1.5 NAB Credits
Creating a Budget: It’s a Team Sport
Once you understand the goals of the organization, this understanding needs to be translated into the budget needs for the year. We will discuss the budget process, how it is run, and what the expectations of different levels of leadership are in the process. We will also talk about different types of budgets such as operating and capital budgets, and the differences between a budget and a forecast. We will also look at the concept of a business case to help leaders explain the need for funding for new initiatives or budget needs.
SESSION 3:
March 25, 2026 | 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm CST | 1.5 NAB Credits
Managing the Budget: It’s a Year-Round Process
Once the budget is built, it should be used to monitor performance. What does that mean, and how should leaders look at their budgets? We will talk about the role of the leader in understanding and reporting on budget variances, discuss some of the tools that will help in monitoring the budget, and discuss how changes or unexpected results in one part of an organization can influence what is expected from other departments or from other leaders. We will conclude this session with a final summary of the annual budgeting process.
