Key Note Address

Nontombi Naomi Tutu, Human Rights Activist

Centering Our Work: The Challenge to “Be”

in the Midst of Having to “Do”

Naomi holds an MA in International Economic Development from the Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Economic Development at the University of Kentucky. In addition, she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the Universal Orthodox College of Ogun State, Nigeria in 1985.

Luncheon Speaker

Richard Groves, Executive Director Sacred Art of Living

The Spirituality of Aging– From Aging to Sage-ing

Richard Groves is an internationally popular speaker who presents a variety of  educational and spiritual development programs for health care institutions, faith communities of all traditions and the general public. Richard has earned graduate Degrees in theology, ethics, pastoral counseling and law. His doctoral  research focuses on cultural and inter-faith perspectives regarding the Sacred  Art of Living and Dying.

“AARP-Champions for Change” 3 Part Workshop Series

The topics in this track will demonstrate how the personal issues we face every day, such as caregiving, financial security and health care, are interwoven into national debates and policy that will determine what kind of nation we are to become.

Joyce DeMonnin, AARP Oregon Public Outreach Director

Can you Really Afford to Retire?

Nearly half of all Americans aren’t on track to afford a comfortable retirement creating an economic divide of “The Haves and the Have Nots.” Women are at the greatest risk for poverty in older age – even women who were middle class during their working years. Single boomers are especially at risk for poverty in later life. This workshop is designed to provide a lively but frank discussion on consumerism, saving and the American Dream. 

AARP- Champions for Change” 3 Part Workshop Series

Lee White, AARP Director Western Region, Seattle

Lee has Bachelor's and Master's of Science degrees from the University of Utah, with a Graduate Certificate in Gerontology

The Caregiving Journey

Mr. White has a personal journey of caregiving and also serves as the regional manager of AARP, which seeks to helps caregivers through personal tools and advocacy.

AARP- Champions for Change” 3 Part Workshop Series

Allen Douma, MD  AARP Oregon Executive Council

Former Oregon State Medicaid Director, CEO of an Internet company, Medical Director for two national health insurance companies, Professor at the George Washington University Medical Center and the American Medical Association.

The Possible Dream

Tackling health care reform Dr. Douma will help participants navigate the complex maze of health care reform issues that are certain to be a top priority of the next administration in Washington.

Dr. Kevin Smith, MD, Director of Geriatric Psychiatry Clinic of Oregon Health Science University

Mental Health in Later Life

As the diverse Baby Boom Generation ages, demand for mental health services and for culturally competent geriatric mental health practitioners will increase. This presentation will present updated information on mental health topics in later life, such as dementia, depression and delirium. This session will explore best practices in delivering services that are culturally, ethnically and age-appropriate.

Patty Case, RD, MS, Professor, Oregon State University

Patty is a Registered Dietitian with a Masters in Human Nutrition. She has worked in the area of nutrition for 19 years. She started her dietetics career managing the nutrition department in a small hospital in Yreka California. In 1990, she married and moved to Klamath Falls to work at the hospital covering clinical areas and specializing in diabetes education. In 2000, she shifted career directions and become a professor for Oregon State University Extension Service.

Face the Fats:

Not all fats are created equal particularly when it comes to heart health. Which fats are helpful, which are not? This session will review dietary modifications that prevent heart disease and can potentially be helpful in other inflammatory diseases common in aging populations.

Robert Winningham, PhD Associate Professor of Psychology, Western Oregon University

Dr. Robert G. Winningham received his Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Baylor University.  He joined the Psychology Department at Western University in the fall of 2000. He teaches courses such as: Human Growth and Development, Cognitive Psychology, Learning and Memory for instructors and Clinical Gerontology. 

1 of 2 part Series

Use it or lose it: How cognitive stimulation, social support, and physical exercise can help people maintain or even improve their memory ability

The relationships between cognitive ability, social support, mood, and cognitive stimulation will also be explored.  Recent research suggests that many older adults have poor social support networks, especially those living in skilled nursing facilities or those who have experienced many losses. Poor social support increases the likelihood of developing depression, which negatively impacts cognitive abilities. Participants will be given practical suggestions to help older adults enhance their social support networks.

Robert Winningham, PhD Associate Professor of Psychology, Western Oregon University

2 of 2 part Series

Use it of Lose it: How to Create an Effective Cognitive Enhancement Program

Learning Objectives

1. To learn how to conduct ten different cognitively stimulating activities.

2. To learn how to motivate people to participate in cognitive enhancement and other activity programs.

3. To learn techniques that will maximally stimulate cognitive enhancement participants, who have varying cognitive abilities.

Sharon Johnson, MS, Professor, Oregon State University

Sharon Johnson was the Deputy Director and Interim Director of Public Health for the City of Seattle as well as the Director of Mental Health for Washington State.  Her current faculty position at Oregon State University emphasizes teaching and applied research in the areas of family and community development, with an emphasis on aging-related issues.  Sharon is a master trainer in chronic disease self-management, trained at Stanford University. She writes a well regarded weekly column titled Healthy Aging for the Medford Mail Tribune and has a monthly community cable television program entitled Healthy Living

Chronic Disease Self-Management

Chronic Disease Self-Management is a workshop that engages the attendees in understanding the evidence-based Stanford University program on disease self-management and its innovative use of pain management approaches 

Kassia Dellabough, MS, GCDF

Senior Consultant, LERN (Learning Resources Network)

Generational Learning and Communications

We now have four generations in the workforce and four generations with very different work ethics, communication and learning styles and all engaged as students in training rooms and classes. Generation gaps are not new, but how do generational differences impact the way we communicate, work, teach, learn, and respond to marketing? This session will present the basic generational characteristics and how to reach each generation in the workplace, classroom and through marketing materials.

Vicki Schmall, PhD 

Dr. Vicki Schmall is the President of the Gerontology & Training Specialist with Aging Concerns in West Linn, Oregon.  She is also professor Emeritus of Oregon State University, where she worked for nearly 25 years as the Director of the Program on Gerontology and the Gerontology Specialist in the OSU Extension Service. 

When Family Caregivers Give Too Much

 A challenge to family caregivers is taking care of themselves while providing care to another. The speaker will address factors that place family caregivers at higher risk for burnout, and strategies that mediate caregiver stress and burnout. Presenter will highlight the role of health care professionals in caregiver self-care, professional messages that can make a positive difference, resources that support family caregivers, and research findings about respite and other family caregiver-based programs..

Touchmark Residents Panel:

Helen S. Vandervort, Facilitator

Bob Dempster

Hilary Kenyon

Jim Goddard

Beryl Goddard

Let Your Spirit Soar: It's Up to Me!

The Touchmark “Let Your Spirit Soar” on-going project combines the efforts of staff, residents, families and the community-at-large to enhance and highlight the strengths, talents and skills of our residents, families, staff and the community-at-large. This session will provide real time perspective on the relationship of the project to successful aging and a guideline of how to plan, implement and evaluate a program based on these principles. Outcomes include improved quality of life, reduced illness and isolation, increased independence  and reduced health care costs.

Alternate Health Care Therapies

Panel Presentation

Panel presenters:

Steven Foster-Wexler, LAc Acupuncturist & Owner, Alpine Acupuncture, Bend, OR

Paul Pozorski, Massage Therapy Program Director & Advisor, Central Oregon Community College

Allison Suran,  Founder, Physical Therapist & Feldenkrais Practitioner, Healing Bridge Physical Therapy, Bend, OR

Alternatives to conventional western medicine are and have been making a return to comprehensive health care methods for all ages.  Particularly in the aging and dying, alternative methods help to augment western medicinal “cures” to help with comfort and pain management.  This facilitated panel discussion will explore just a few of the methods, including, Eastern Acupuncture and Qi Gong, Massage Therapy, physical therapy and Feldenkrais to help with movement and activities of daily living to enrich a person’s life.

Richard Groves, Executive Director Sacred Art of Living

A New Ethics for the Aging:  Practical Perspectives on Existential Suffering

Our culture is reluctant to acknowledge the critical role and value of mentorship because of its inherent prejudices towards aging.  This workshop explores a non-dual approach to the ethics of aging based on cutting-edge quantum research and the classical principles of applied spirituality.