Caregiver Conference 2025 Schedule | MAG

2025 Conference Agenda

General sessions & general caregiving track will be streamed virtually. *Changes in schedule may occur.

9 a.m. - 10 a.m.

Registration, Resource booths and Breakfast


10 a.m. - 10:10 a.m.

Main Auditorium & Virtual

Welcome
Presented by Geri Lehnardt & Linda Cole MAG Aging & Family Services


10:10 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Main Auditorium & Virtual

The Neuroscience of the Mind
Presented by Dr. Craig Manning

Caregivers will learn to increase understanding and mastery of the human mind.

11 a.m. - 11:10 a.m.

Main Auditorium & Virtual

Breathwork
Presented by Katie Blanch, Lynden Legacy Foundation

Discover different ways to use breath to calm your nervous system within minutes. Breathing decreases stress, brings immediate calming feelings, and increases feel-good hormones.


11:10 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.

Break & visit booths


11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

General Caregiving Track

Main Auditorium & Virtual


Empowering Caregivers with Support & Resources
Presented Nancy Madsen, Gerontologist

Caregivers will learn: how to thrive in your caregiving role - effective planning and adaptation for continued changes, how to harness the support of family & friends - even when it seems impossible, and how to access amazing community resources - the ones I wish I had known about when I was a care partner.

Dementia Track

Breakout Room - In-person Only


Designing Your Dementia Caregiving Journey: Communicating the Challenges and Opportunities
Presented by Dr. Shariq Sherwani, Utah Tech University

Caregivers will learn recent advances in dementia research, challenges and opportunities associated with caregiving, practical skills to reduce stressors and burnout, empowerment, connection to a supportive community, and resources available to improve the quality of care and selfcare. This session will acknowledge that while caregiving can be a challenging and an isolating experience, it can also be an uplifting, rewarding, meaningful, and purposeful one.

Self-Care Track

Breakout Room - In-person Only


Caregiver Voices: Sharing My Story of Impact
Presented by Klea Harris and Karen Hill, featuring Carly Bennett Stenmark

A guided workshop where caregivers reflect on and share the personal decisions that have shaped their journey, offering insight and support for others in similar roles.

Playroom

Breakout Room - In-person Only


The Importance Of Play
Presented by Emily Christensen, Jewish Family Services

Step away from the hustle of the day and recharge in our Play & Therapy room. This calming space offers sand trays, activities, and creative tools designed to reduce stress and spark joy.


12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Lunch & Caregiver Recognition Award
Harp music by Brittany Snedecor


1:30 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.

General Caregiving Track

Main Auditorium & Virtual


Senior Care Journey: Guiding Families from Beginning to End
Presented by Monica Boyer, MAG Aging & Family Services and Lynette Evans, Senior Transition Partners

Description coming soon.

Dementia Track

Breakout Room - In-person Only


Dementia is a Journey and Not a Destination
Presented by Thomas Tervort, DNP NP-C; Neural Effects

Understanding the basics of dementia and the options on the road ahead.

Self-Care Track

Breakout Room - In-person Only


Caregiver Voices: Sharing My Story of Impact
Presented by Klea Harris and Karen Hill, featuring Katie Blanch

A guided workshop where caregivers reflect on and share the personal decisions that have shaped their journey, offering insight and support for others in similar roles.

Play Room

Breakout Room - In-person Only


The Importance Of Play
Presented by Emily Christensen, Jewish Family Services; Rosalind Hilkey, iCare Home Health & Hospice

Step away from the hustle of the day and recharge in our Play & Therapy room. This calming space offers sand trays, activities, and creative tools designed to reduce stress and spark joy.


2:15 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Break & visit booths


2:30 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.

Main Auditorium & Virtual

How to Be the Caregivers We Want to Be
Presented by Dr. Beth Fauth, Ph. D., Utah State University

We all know what we should be doing for ourselves, and the people we love. So why do we find ourselves struggling to so all these "shoulds"? This presentation will teach hands on skills to help caregivers focus on incorporating the things that really matter to them into their everyday lives.


3:15 p.m.

Main Auditorium & Virtual

Conference Wrap Up
Presented by Geri Lehnardt

Conference wrap up and door prizes. Must be present to win.


Karen was a CNA for 15 years, specializing in hospice and dementia care, and a family caregiver for four years. Karen has worked with MAG for five years in Information & Referral and the Caregiver Support program

Gary Piner is a retired entrepreneur and Vietnam Vet in the Marines. He was married to his wife Charlee for 52 years, while she had a successful career as a hospice nurse and he spent his entire adult life teaching and lecturing about the business of dentistry. In 2015, Charlee was diagnosed with Lewy Body dementia, and he continued to diligently care for her until she passed away in 2020. Together, he and Charlee raised 5 wonderful children, two of which were adopted with special needs.

While the years caring for his wife were some of the most difficult years of my life, he is trying to be the unobtrusive champion, making one day better than the last.

Creating a Good Life by Utilizing Your Signature
Character Strengths

Alzheimer's is not normal aging. It's a disease of the brain that causes problems with memory, and thinking behavior. Join us to learn about the impact of Alzheimer's, the difference between Alzheimer's and dementia, disease stages and risk factors. Current research and treatments to address some symptoms, and Alzheimer's Association resources.

Presented by Dr Brian Hill.

Article Tags: caregiver-conference