Welcoming Remarks and LeadingAge Update 

David Urso, Chair of the Board of Directors, LeadingAge Maine & New Hampshire
Lisa Henderson, Executive Director, LeadingAge Maine & New Hampshire
Nancy Hooks, Senior Vice President, Member and State Partnerships, LeadingAge

The Purpose Advantage

Anna Hall, Founder, The Purpose Equation

Are you ready to unlock the power of purpose to supercharge your life and heighten engagement among residents and employees? This workshop dives deep into the myriad benefits of having a crystal-clear sense of ‘why’ and guides you into the realm of meaning-making through engaging activities and thought-provoking discussions. Learn practical ways to apply purpose discovery and activation to elevate the effectiveness of life enrichment, sales and leadership.

 A1. Communication 360: Combatting "I don’t know"

Deanna Graham, Director of Community Engagement, RiverWoods Exeter

Enhance your communication plan and help eliminate the “I don’t know” knee-jerk response by integrating tips and tricks to engage the multiple generations we all serve and employ. This session will include practice opportunities in small groups, introducing real-life scenarios. After attending this session, you'll think differently about effective communication and depart with more tools in your communication toolkit. 

A2. Less Stress and Better Results: How to navigate insurance renewals and optimize your premiums

Chad McCulley, ARM, PRC, Senior Vice President, USI Insurance Services

Do you wish you could streamline your insurance renewals and better contain costs? In this session, you'll gain perspective on today's complex insurance marketplace and learn how to optimize your insurance strategy. This is a must-attend session for anyone who touches risk and insurance in your organization, including C-Suite leaders, Finance, HR and Compliance. Learn how to think like an underwriter, how to avoid last minutes surprises, and more advanced steps for controlling costs as your organization matures. 

 A3. Artificial Intelligence (AI): Balancing Adoption and Cybersecurity

David Lafferty, CIO, The Riverwoods Group
Nick Saunders, Business Development Manager, Systems Engineering

The AI landscape is largely an untamed frontier, marked by its rapid evolution, lack of regulation, and concerns surrounding data privacy and security. And yet, despite the risks, the productivity and innovation potential of AI can’t be denied. How can your organization take a thoughtful approach to adopting AI tools? Join us to learn how to seize productivity gains while still safeguarding sensitive or protected information.  

NEW THIS YEAR! Register to meet with staff and tour a member community in Portland: The Cedars. Founded in 1929 as the Jewish Home for Aged, The Cedars has a 95-year history of innovation, including a variety of partnerships with community and academic institutions, cutting-edge therapies, a commitment to holistic wellness, and the Household Model of person-centered care. Space is limited! Transportation will be provided. (Note: this site visit is offered in lieu of B and C breakout sessions.) 

B1. The Joys of Strategic Planning - Really!

Cindy Jerome, Managing Principal, Cindy Jerome Consulting

Strategic Planning is one of the most powerful tools we have to ensure our success. So why do we put it off? A common refrain is, "We’re too busy dealing with today's problems!" Or, "When was the last time we even looked at our most recent plan?"

And yet nothing is getting easier... Workforce, inflation, growing expectations from residents, and lingering impacts of the COVID pandemic. Hard times are upon us, and some organizations won’t survive.

What's the best way to ensure a sustainable future? Start with a strategic plan. This engaging and inspirational session will show you how strategic planning can help you:

• Reconnect with the joy of fulfilling your mission
• Envision a future of possibilities
• Make your job easier by defining where to prioritize your time
• Be confident you’re on the right path so your community can thrive

B2. Healing Beyond the Walls: Creating an interactive, multi-generational and multifunctional wellness garden

Joan Eagleson, Senior Living Studio Leader, Lavallee Bresinger Architects
Doreen Kadric, Rehabilitation Director, Helen Porter Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center
Michael Willard, Landscape Architect, VHB

Gardens aren't just ornamental beauty to be appreciated from a far.  They have the power to delight, sooth and bring connection to the natural world.  This session will explore the use of wellness gardens to enhance the lives of residents, staff, and visitors. We'll consider potential user groups spanning generations and abilities and envision gardens that are interactive and multifunctional -- delighting all five senses. Participants will leave with a new way of looking at their community's connection to nature and identify the possibilities that lie within. 

B3. From Healthcare to Health: Population Based Cross Continuum Programming

Elisa Bovee, VP of Clinical Strategies + Consulting, HealthPro Heritage 

Aging services may be rooted in healthcare, but wellness is our future. Residents are seeking a holistic approach to the physical, mental, and social aspects of well-being. Making the shift from healthcare to health requires a change in mindset and a focus on population health based service expansion. This session will explore the practice of full community rounding, technology integration opportunities, holistic wellness approaches, home health partnership integration, home and community-based service expansion and the role of channel partners.  Learn how these efforts can enhance preventive care, reduce healthcare disparities, and empower residents to actively participate in their own health management.

C1. The Future is Here: Dementia Inclusivity and The Power of Intention    

Susan Wehry, MD, Geriatric Psychiatrist and Director, AgingME, Maine's Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) and Associate Clinical Professor, at the University of New England 

Our thinking about models of care to better support and engage people living with dementia continues to evolve. Inspired in part by the World Health Organization's challenge to build a more dementia-inclusive society, new models are emerging and creating meaningful opportunities for the long term services and supports sector, across the whole continuum. In this provocative and practical session, thought leader and dementia specialist, Dr. Susan Wehry, will discuss dementia-inclusivity —what it means, why it matters, how to be it—and explore its potential impact and the evidence for positive benefits on residents, staff and families.

C2. Building Your Bench: An integrated approach to recruitment, development and succession planning

Blake Baade, Director of Talent Acquisition, The RiverWoods Group
John Bowe, Vice President of Human Resources, The RiverWoods Group
Ellen Ryder Griffin, Director of Training and Development, The RiverWoods Group

Explore the benefits of an integrated human resources approach that harmonizes recruitment, development, and succession planning efforts. Learn strategies for developing a robust leadership pipeline, including how to identify and engage high potential employees. Unlock creativity, collaboration and productivity through thoughtful training, development and recognition activities. Hire for fit using a competency-based selection process. 

C3. Hot Button Labor and Operational Issues

Bob Best, Attorney, Sulloway & Hollis, PLLC
Brad Holt, Attorney, Sulloway & Hollis, PLLC
Kevin O' Shea, Attorney, Sulloway & Hollis, PLLC  
Chris Pyles, Attorney, Sulloway & Hollis, PLLC

Back by popular demand! The team of seasoned advisors from the law firm of Sulloway & Hollis will take on today's hot button labor and operational issues. Manage organizational risk through a better understanding of new laws and regulations. Obtain some practical tips and resources to help implement or improve your policies. Extra time will be allotted for your questions! 

Topics will include:

• Dealing with Licensure and Certification investigations
• Handling Press Inquiries/Preparing for Crisis Communication
• New Privacy Laws
• Trend of Private Equity Funding Litigation and “Nuclear verdicts”
• Preventing Whistleblower Issues

Sales & Marketing Peer Group Meeting

40th Anniversary Celebration & Expo! 

Guess what? It’s LeadingAge Maine & New Hampshire's 40^th Birthday in 2024! That means it’s time to rewind to 1984!  This year's expo takes the form of an 80’s themed rec room. We'll have loads of games, prizes and a sweet mix tape playing on repeat. It's gonna be EPIC!

WORKFORCE WORKSHOP!
Creating a Person-Centered Workplace

Brylye Collins, Founder, Rose Talent Consulting
Christine Kelly, Consultant, Rose Talent Consulting

For decades, providers have focused on delivering person-centered care, i.e. integrated services delivered in a setting and manner that is responsive to each resident and their goals, values and preferences. How can we apply this same framework to create person-centered workplaces?

Join us to explore how communication, empathy and authentic engagement can be integrated throughout the employee lifecycle. Together we'll challenge traditional notions of "team building" and strive instead to create environments of belonging that are ripe with opportunities for professional growth.

Get ready for a high-energy, experiential workshop that will equip you to be a more person-centered manager and co-worker as you help your organization win at employee retention."

WORKFORCE WORKSHOP Continued!
Creating a Person-Centered Workplace