General sessions & general caregiving track will be streamed virtually. *Changes in schedule may occur.
8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Registration, resource booths and breakfast
9:30 a.m. - 9:40 a.m.
Main Auditorium & Virtual
Welcome
Presented by Geri Lehnardt, MAG Aging & Family Services
9:40 a.m. - 10:40 a.m.
Main Auditorium & Virtual
Change Your Life with Two Key Relationships
Presented by Jody Moore
10:40 a.m. - 10:55 a.m.
Main Auditorium & Virtual
#1 Stress Reliever
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 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Break & visit booths
11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
General Caregiving Track
Main Auditorium & Virtual
Future-Ready Caregiving: Practical Tools and Legal Essentials
Presented Klea Harris, attorney at Angel Advocates Legal; Dr. Kara Dassel, University of Utah
In "Future-Ready Caregiving: Practical Tools and Legal Essentials," we’ll help you create a comprehensive Caregiver Planning Guide that balances practical resources and legal safeguards. Learn how to organize medication schedules, build a care team, and handle day-to-day challenges while managing emergencies with confidence. We’ll also cover key legal documents—powers of attorney, healthcare directives, living wills, and HIPAA authorizations—that ensure your loved one’s wishes are protected and your caregiving plan is legally sound. By combining practical tools with essential legal preparations, you’ll leave this session ready to tackle both the immediate and future needs of caregiving, boosting your resilience and peace of mind.
Dementia Track
Breakout Room - In-person Only
Dementia is a Journey and Not a Destination
Presented by Thomas Tervort, DNP NP-C; Neural Effects
Join an enlightening session to understand the basics of dementia and the options on the road ahead.
Self-Care Track
Breakout Room - In-person Only
Workshop with Jody
Presented by Jody Moore, Life Coach
12:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.
Lunch & Caregiver Recognition Award
1:15 p.m. - 2 p.m.
General Caregiving Track
Main Auditorium & Virtual
Building Bridges: The Vital Role of Connection in Caregiving
Presented by Linda Cole, MAG Aging & Family Services
In this presentation, we will explore the crucial role of connection in caregiving. Caring for a loved one can be both rewarding and challenging, often leading to feelings of isolation and stress. We will discuss how prioritizing connection with others enhances emotional well-being. Practical strategies for building and maintaining vital relationships outside of caregiving will also be addressed. By prioritizing relationships, caregivers can create a more positive environment, benefiting both themselves and their loved ones. Join us to discover how the power of connection can transform the caregiving experience.
Dementia Track
Breakout Room - In-person Only
Managing Stress & Challenging Emotions in Caregiving
Presented by Dr. Beth Fauth, Ph. D., Utah State University
In this presentation, Dr. Fauth will discuss the principles of acceptance and commitment therapy that are applied to caregiver stress. ACT is a form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy that is widely used across many mental health settings and is supported by extensive research. ACT skills can help mitigate clinically significant mental health issues, as well as milder everyday stress. Dr. Fauth will provide examples of ACT exercises to help the audience learn to live with stress more comfortably and provide evidence from recent studies on how dementia caregivers applied ACT to help them with their challenges.
Self-Care Track
Breakout Room - In-person Only
Finding Calm and Focus through Mandala Drawing
Presented by Emily Christensen, Jewish Family Services
A mandala in art is a geometric set of patterns, colors, and shapes - most often presented in a circular form. In this workshop, you’ll create a simple mandala to experience increased relaxation, focus, and mindfulness. No art experience is needed. You will be guided through the process of slow-drawing simple shapes and patterns that combine to form your own unique mandala.
2 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
Break & visit booths
2:15 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Main Auditorium & Virtual
From Exhausted to Energized: Strategies for You the Caregiver
Presented by Dr. Ray Andrew, MD
You don’t need to be told that caregiving is hard. Nothing so far in life could have prepared you for what you currently face. You are exhausted. You feel lonely. Depression and anxiety are common. You may feel guilty and even resentful. Grief for what you have lost and will yet lose can be devastating.
With all your attention on your loved one, your own mental and physical health has likely taken a back seat. What can you do? There is a lot more you can do to fortify your health and prepare for the next chapter in your life than you think. You can’t do everything. But you can do something. And anything you do in this regard will help both you and your loved one through this challenging stage and beyond.
3:30 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.
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.