Summit Agenda

Become certified as an American Heart Association Instructor.  Thor Christiansen, SE Regional Emergency Medical Services will provide you with two days of hybrid and in-person learning and practice during the SREC Summit.  Return from the Summit ready to teach others what you have learned. Perquisite: AHA Heart Code CPR certification.

If you do not have a current Heart Code CPR certification.  Sign up for the hybrid course + perquisite.  SREC staff will provide you with a link to Relias education platform.  Take the course (1.5 hour) and complete your skills secession with Thor prior to learning to become a BLS Instructor.

Steps:

1. Register for the course
2. If needed, obtain email from SREC Project staff for perquisite log on to Relias, complete course.
3. Obtain an email from Thor with information for online instruction for the BLS Instructor course. To be completed prior to class start. (1.25 hours online)
4. Attend Pre-Conference training on 9/30 at 8AM (in-person).
5. Attend Summit on 10/1, help teach Heart Saver CPR to finalize your BLS Instructor certification.
6. Ready to return to your home community and start teaching others how to save lives!

Improve quality of life of older adults by learning to support those who may be experiencing a mental health or substance use challenge by getting certified in an evidence-based, early-intervention training program. Older adults have high rates of late-onset mental health challenges, like anxiety and depression, and low rates of identification and treatment. Whether you need to assist today or years from now, this certification gives you the confidence you need to have the conversations that will allow older adults to live as comfortably as possible.

Delivery: September 30 8:30, Hybrid on-line (15 Minutes) prior to class preferred and in-person training (8 hours).

https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/population-focused-modules/adults/older-adults/

Rita Menzies, RN works as a registered nurse at SEARHC and provides training using the ABON (Alaska Boars of Nursing) Medication Administration curriculum for unlicensed assistive personnel training. This pre-conference BASIC training is provided by Tides LLC. regarding Medication Self-Administration and is designed for non-licensed professionals providing support to individuals to safely administer scheduled medications.

Join us at Centennial Hall for a meet and greet with other participants for early registration for the Summit. Hors d ’Oeuvres will be provided by Red Spruce.

Registration table will be available for those wishing to register early for the Summit.

Heartsaver courses are designed for anyone with little or no medical training who needs a course completion card for job, regulatory (for example, OSHA), or other requirements. These courses can also be taken by anyone who wants to be prepared for an emergency in any setting. Students receive a course completion card that is valid for 2 years.

SREC Summit Oct. 1 – In-person learning

Heart Saver CPR (Everyone – Job Certification) – Online + Skills

Heartsaver courses are designed for anyone with little or no medical training who needs a course completion card for job, regulatory (for example, OSHA), or other requirements. These courses can also be taken by anyone who wants to be prepared for an emergency in any setting. Students receive a course completion card that is valid for 2 years.

SREC Summit – Oct 2. – Online with skills check

If you have completed Heart Code or Heart Saver and have not completed a skills session, bring your card and sign up in advance (see add-on tickets) for skills check on Oct 2. $65

 Heart Code CPR (Healthcare Provider) – Online + Skills

HeartCode courses combine online learning with hands-on CPR skills practice to ensure competency. Students complete the online portion of the course at their own pace, anytime and anywhere they have Internet access. Students then attend a hands-on skills session with an AHA Instructor, to ensure CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) skills competence.  HeartCode’s online learning format improves retention and helps students develop critical thinking skills they can use at the patient’s bedside. HeartCode BLS, ACLS, and PALS Courses provide healthcare organizations with a flexible and efficient method for training large numbers of students across different care settings and varied locations. Most importantly, HeartCode delivers high-quality training that prepares students for real resuscitation events and increases their confidence for responding in the most stressful emergency situations.

SREC Summit Oct. 2 – Online learning and skills check

If you have completed Heart Code or Heart Saver and have not completed a skills session, bring your card and sign up in advance (see add-on tickets) for skills check on Oct 2.

Learn more about courses and opportunities available in your community and meet regional businesses looking to employ you in a new career.

The AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities is a national network dedicated to promoting livable communities for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. The Network was established to support livability, inspire older resident engagement in change efforts, and foster a culture of inclusion. The network is built on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Age-Friendly Cities initiative, which recognizes the importance of creating environments that seek to empower and enable communities to become more age-friendly by addressing the unique needs of older residents.

The Eight Domains of Livability provide a framework for improvement in our communities. Come to this session to learn more about the eight domains and how to become an Age-Friendly Community.

Alaska Legal Services and Disability Law Center of Alaska will present an overview of the programs and services each agency provides.  They will present together about the risk of financial scams, how to avoid them, what to do if you realize you’re scammed, and where to seek help.

Ageism is pervasive in our culture and hits women particularly hard.  We are confronting sexism, racism and other unhelpful “isms” but ageism has not received sufficient attention.  This presentation will define the issue, draw on resources from experts currently working to eliminate ageism, and give the audience some thought provoking and ready-to-apply strategies for embracing all phases of our life course and become part of the movement to eliminate ageism.  Ageism is a prejudice against our future selves — let’s stop that, together.

Deb Craig, Juneau Commission on Aging: Aging! So cool, everyone is doing it! 

Seniors over 55 now represent 30% of Juneau’s population! The Juneau Commission on Aging’s mission is to promote healthy aging strategies for everyone.  We will 1) emphasize the unrecognized “silver benefits” that seniors bring to our community and 2) highlight JCOA’s three priorities: promoting Senior Recreation and Wellness (staying active and healthy for the long haul), advocating for Universal Housing (a model for age friendly construction), and highlight our partnership with AARP to pursue Age Friendly Community Planning (a globally supported planning tool to assess the health and well-being of communities). Help us ensure Juneau remains a great place for people of all ages to live and stay in the community they love. Check out our website! https://juneau.org/clerk/boards-committees/jcoa 

Alyssa Fernandez of Riverview Senior Living will talk about the services and care they provide in their Juneau based facility.  She will touch on making the decision to move into placement, the requirements, and quality of life considerations.

Over the past 17 years, we have conducted 162 interviews across 21 Alaska Native communities in five regions of Alaska asking Alaska Native Elders what it means to age in a good way, what supports them to age where and how they want, and what they want younger people to know about aging in a good way. The Elders represent most geographic and cultural regions of Alaska, and the main things that help them age in a good way include participating in their Native ways of life, protecting and supporting their emotional health, active engagement with their family and community, maintaining physical health, having some spiritual practices and/or attending religious services, and being generative, or passing down their knowledge, skills, and experiences to help younger generations learn to age well. This presentation will share the findings of this 17-year study, how to apply this knowledge to your own life, and how this work can be used to develop new programs and services to ensure all generations age in a good way.

We are experiencing what the Surgeon General calls an “epidemic of loneliness.” The costs are enormous. For example, loneliness reduces job performance, and the health effects of loneliness are worse than smoking 15 cigarettes a day! Fortunately, science can guide us in building a sense of belonging for ourselves and those around us. This highly interactive session brings people together to explore these three keys:

• Comprehend: Develop a deep understanding of the many factors affecting loneliness and social isolation, from brain chemicals to societal influences.
• Connect: Learn about specific actions we can take as individuals to build better connections.
• Catalyze: Discover what all of us can do to build belonging in our organizations and communities.

This session is based on the AARP Global Health Council 6 pillars of Brain Health.

A panel will present information on the six pillars – eat right; be social; manage stress; engage your brain; exercise regularly; and get restorative sleep. We will also discuss digestion, oral health and art and music as therapy.

The goal is for everyone to take home ideas that they can implement for better brain health and longevity.

Over 10% of Alaskan adult population served in the Armed Forces.  VOICE is a program that is available for veterans regardless of disability status under the VA.  VOICE is SAIL’s veteran-directed care program, offered in collaboration with the VA, that enables veterans to hire their spouse, family members, friends, or community members to provide them hands-on care so they can remain at home. VOICE enables veterans to be their own employer and manage their own care, with support from SAIL. This presentation will offer an overview of veteran-directed care and the way it is uniquely able to support and empower rural Alaskan veterans, who may not always have access to care agencies or DSPs.

The Senior Outreach and Referral (SOAR) Gatekeeper Program helps identify at-risk seniors and help those seniors find assistance. A Gatekeeper can be any member of our community that may encounter seniors on a regular basis and, through that contact, notice changes in the senior’s routine which may indicate deterioration in functioning, substance usage or mental health issues. Examples of Gatekeepers are:

• Bank employees
• Local merchants
• Meter readers
• Neighbors
• You!!

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Anyone in the community can be a Gatekeeper. Gatekeepers open the gate between at-risk elders and sources of assistance.
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You can make a difference! Join us for this session on Gatekeeper Training.

This presentation will provide information about employment services that are provided for older workers with disabilities to re-enter the workforce. It will help individuals understand services provided from the Alaska Division of Vocational Rehabilitation as well as the Mature Alaskan’s Seeking Skills Training (MASST) program.  We will dive into how the collaboration between the two programs can enhance services for Older Alaskans to obtain employment.   This presentation will delve into how Business Engagement activities can assist in providing older workers direct access to employers.

ADRCs connect seniors, people with disabilities and caregivers with long-term care services and support by providing information, referrals and assistance. We welcome you to attend this presentation to learn more about the role of ADRCs, how ADRCs function, local ADRC offices, and how to use ADRCs as a resource for your community.

SO . . . WHAT IS A KINSHIP FAMILY?

Any family where a child is being raised by someone other than a parent who they think of as a relative. It could be a blood relation or someone the child knows as auntie, uncle, grandma or grandpa.

Co-Directors Holly Handler and Lagemas Vanessa George of Haa Yaitx’u Saiani with Parent Legal Advocate Jessie Archibald will present together on their work with minor children being raised by a kinship family.  They are a culturally based Kinship Navigator Program serving Southeast Alaska kin families outside of the foster care system. Their focus is helping families build and nurture healthy, supported intergenerational relationships that keep children and youth safe, stable, and out of the foster care system.

How’s life as an elder treating you?  Let’s talk about it!  Share experiences, trade tips, express concerns and regale successes.  What are you enjoying now that you are 60+?  What’s not working so well?  Join in fun and frank conversation with others like you.

This presentation will explore how brains function at various ages, as well as generational and age-related similarities and differences. You’ll gain specific insight into how working through these differences is important in creating a thriving organization. You’ll also discover steps to move toward intergenerational engagement, excellence, and more!

Over the past 17 years, we have conducted 162 interviews across 21 Alaska Native communities in five regions of Alaska asking Alaska Native Elders what it means to age in a good way, what supports them to age where and how they want, and what they want younger people to know about aging in a good way. The Elders represent most geographic and cultural regions of Alaska, and the main things that help them age in a good way include participating in their Native ways of life, protecting and supporting their emotional health, active engagement with their family and community, maintaining physical health, having some spiritual practices and/or attending religious services, and being generative, or passing down their knowledge, skills, and experiences to help younger generations learn to age well. This presentation will share the findings of this 17-year study, how to apply this knowledge to your own life, and how this work can be used to develop new programs and services to ensure all generations age in a good way.

Bone loss is a natural process that occurs as we age.  But did you know that a diet rich in calcium, vitamin D, and protein can help strengthen our bones.  Come learn more about Bone Health and the importance of taking good care of our bones as we age.

The Nursing Facility Transition (NFT)/ Assisted Living Transition (ALT) program provides individuals currently in a nursing facility, long term care facility, or assisted living home with the opportunity to utilize up to $3,500 in grant funding to return to community-based living. This presentation will address program eligibility, how to initiate transition services, and provide details about the transition process.

Daniel Schramm, Program Coordinator for the State of Alaska Public Health will provide an introduction and overview of falls among seniors and the grand importance of fall prevention.  He will share statistics and impact of prevalence of falls, the consequences of falls (injuries, hospitalizations, costs) and the mortality and morbidity rates associated with falls.  The presentation will explore the risk factors, behavioral factors (age, vision impairment, muscle weakness, chronic conditions), and external factors (home hazards, poor lighting, slippery floors) related to falls.  Daniel will present suggestion for prevention strategies such as environmental modifications (grab bars, non-slip mats, improved lighting), exercise and physical activity (balance training, strength exercises), medication review and management, vision care (regular eye exams, proper eyewear), and footwear recommendations (non-slip shoes, proper fit).  He will provide assessment tools and home safety checklists that you can use at home.  The presentation will wrap up with a discussion on intervention programs such as community-based fall prevention programs, physical therapy and rehabilitation services, and educational workshops for seniors and caregivers.  Come and join us to learn ways to keep ourselves and others upright.

Over the last several years, SEARHC has been expanding their medical services throughout Southeast Alaska.  Come and join us to explore what new healthcare services are available in the region.

How to Become Eligible for Medicaid

Alaska Legal Services and Disability Law Center of Alaska will present a panel of legal experts to discuss the process to apply for Medicaid and when faced with challenges with the application how to become eligible for Medicaid with trusts or other specialized accounts. They will provide details about their individual services and how to seek additional support.

With increasing numbers of natural hazards and disasters, it is imperative that disaster preparation, response, and recovery plans focus on Alaska Native Elders, who may face specific challenges due to lack of mobility or need for medical care. Dr. Lena Thompson will discuss existing disaster management programs for Alaska Native Elders and share ideas for potential collaborations to expand disaster management strategies for Alaska Native Elders, including those living with dementia.

Almost one in four residents in SE Alaska are 60+ years and the senior population is on the rise.  As a result, there is a critical need for new innovative movements to develop home care and supportive services to manage the needs of our aging communities.  Join two entrepreneurs as they discuss their journey to help develop the services, support, and workforce to provide quality care in Southeast Alaska.  Discussion will provide information and tips for starting or growing service directed businesses.

The presentation will focus on the experiences with family stigma of Alaska Native dementia care partners in various settings, including family, community, and professional contexts, highlighting the significant role of Alaska Native cultural values and practices in preventing experiences of family stigma. The presentation covers topics such as the current experiences of Alaska Native care partners with family stigma, the impact of family stigma on Alaska Native care partners, the role of Alaska Native culture in caregiving and prevention of stigma, encountered structural challenges, the influence of family stigma on caregiver quality of life, and a discussion of next steps.

Since 2017, the Alaska Court System has been working on improving resources and its handling of adult guardianship and conservatorship cases.  ACS will provide an overview of the project and an update on an exciting new program that will increase the monitoring of these cases as well as the resources to family guardians and conservators.

Catholic Community Services is dedicated to supporting senior and families be successful.  Through Caregiver Support, family caregivers can ask questions, share ideas, and seek resources.

Every community in Se Alaska is unique and a very special place to the residents who live there.  As wonderfully different as each community is, so the vastness of equity for services is in each community.  Erin Walker-Tolles challenges us to look at the resources and to help identify the strengths and gaps in each community.  This is an interactive session, and participants will be encouraged to assist with identifying resources and gaps in each community.

The senior population is on the rise in Alaska and our workforce is not prepared to manage its future needs.  Join Dr. Charla Brown with a panel of regional experts to discuss ways to help improve the healthcare workforce.

Every community in Se Alaska is unique and a very special place to the residents who live there.  As wonderfully different as each community is, so the vastness of equity for services is in each community.  Erin Walker-Tolles challenges us to look at the resources and to help identify the strengths and gaps in each community.  This is an interactive session, and participants will be encouraged to assist with identifying resources and gaps in each community.

Presentation on Power of Attorney (POA), to help explore the questions:  What is a POA? How a POA is obtained? … What decisions can be made by a POA? … Why it is important to have a POA established? … How to revoke the document?  And, When is it too late and a guardianship needed?  If you too have questions about when you may need a Power of Attorney, this is the session not to miss.

In this interactive workshop, participants will discuss normal aging versus something more serious. We will also discuss Alzheimer’s Disease and related conditions; the diagnosis process; and support for family and caregivers including communication skills and self-care.

The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority is a state corporation that administers the Alaska Mental Health Trust, a perpetual trust, to improve the lives of beneficiaries. The Trust operates much like a private foundation, using its resources to ensure that Alaska has a comprehensive integrated mental health program.  During this session, you will learn about the Trust, grant opportunities, and recent investments in Southeast Alaska.

Learn about the incredible educational resources available through SERRC regional programming.

Visit with Ryhan Nydam owner of Tongass Critter Care to learn about the amazing supports available to you and your household critters.