Wednesday, January 24, 2018  (The Court at Palm Aire)
Elder Abuse & Exploitation

Many vulnerable adults are unable to care for and/or protect themselves. When they are willfully or intentionally hurt physically, psychologically, or financially by the conduct of their caregiver(s) or other person(s), the department has
the authority provided by chapter 415, Florida Statutes to intervene to correct the Abuse, Neglect, Exploitation orSelf-Neglect through the provision of protective services.  APS investigates allegations of exploitation on persons who knowingly, by deception or intimidation, or the endeavor to obtain without consent a vulnerable adult’s funds, assets, or property with the intent to temporarily or permanently deprive a vulnerable adult of the use, benefit, or possession of the funds, assets, or property for the benefit of someone other than the vulnerable adult.

This presentation will cover specific knowledge about this Florida Statute, Mandatory Reporting Requirements to the Abuse Hotline, DCF's definitions for Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation, Details and Parameters of Conducting Protective
Investigations, and more.

Presented by: Gregory Patient, BA

Gregory Patient is a Senior Program Specialist with the State of Florida, Department of Children and Families, Southeast Region’s Adult Protective Services Program. He is responsible for conducting Pre-Service training for new Protective Investigators that go into the community to investigate Abuse, Neglect Exploitation and Self-Neglect of Florida's vulnerable adult population. He is involved with region-wide Quality Assurance monitoring and provides side-by-side reviews and regular In-Service trainings for Protective Investigators. Gregory also provides community trainings throughout the region to bring awareness about Florida Statute 415, criteria for our program, and how to initiate investigations and access services.

Wednesday, February 28, 2018  (The Court at Palm Aire)
Dementia Care & Cure Initiative

In August 2015, the Department of Elder Affairs announced the Dementia Care and Cure Initiative to engage communities across the state to be more dementia friendly, promote better care for Floridians affected by dementia, and support research efforts to find a cure.  With approximately 510,000 individuals currently living with Alzheimer’s disease, Florida has the second highest incidence of Alzheimer’s in the nation – only behind California.  Florida is projected to have more than 720,000 individuals with Alzheimer’s disease in the next 10 years. These figures do not include other forms of dementia or the hundreds of thousands who serve as caregivers.  Florida seeks to lead the nation in response to the increasing incidence of dementia by implementing a statewide effort to become more dementia friendly – taking action to support those diagnosed with dementia and their caregivers – bettering communities and the state overall.

In April 2016, Department of Elder Affairs Secretary Sam Verghese announced Leon County and the City of Tallahassee as the first Dementia Caring Community in Florida.  In 2018, DCCI seeks to expand to communities in South Florida who will work together to bring awareness and disseminate knowledge and resources to persons with dementia disorders, their families and caregivers, and the healthcare professionals who treat them.  Learn about what you can do to be a part of this important initiative.

Presented by: Christine Sherrill, MSW

Following a background in crisis counseling, suicide prevention, and psychiatric and medical case management with the geriatric population, Christine currently serves as the Program Coordinator for the Dementia Care and Cure Initiative with the Florida Department of Elder Affairs.  As part of this initiative, Christine provides technical support to established task forces within the state of Florida to promote Dementia-Caring Communities.  She is also responsible for the advancement of the state-wide initiative through outreach and awareness projects in collaboration with local Memory Disorder Clinics, Aging and Disability Resource Centers, and other local resources in the state of Florida. 

Wednesday, March 28, 2018  (The Court at Palm Aire)
Ethics & Character

Presented by: Randi Sims, PhD

Dr. Randi L. Sims is currently a Professor of Business Ethics for Nova Southeastern University. She obtained her doctorate degree in Business Administration from Florida Atlantic University.  Her teaching and research interests lie in the fields of ethical decision making, business ethics, organizational behavior, and academic dishonesty.  She has published in Journal of Business Ethics, Business & Society, Journal of Education for Business, Educational and Psychological Measurement, International Journal of Value Based Management, and Journal of Psychology among others. 

Wednesday, April 25, 2018  (The Court at Palm Aire)
Elections & Installation of ESRN Board

Wednesday, May 23, 2018  (The Court at Palm Aire)
Legislative Update

Presented by: Senator Rene Garcia

Senator Garcia is the current chair of the Florida Senate's Children, Families & Elder Affairs committee and is a strong advocate for older adults and their families.  In addition to many other committees, Senator Garcia is a former member of the Appropriations Committee and its Subcommittee on Health and Human Services. 

Wednesday, June 27, 2018  (The Court at Palm Aire)
Successful Thinking

In today's world of accelerating change and increasing demands, unless you change the way you think, you are locked into yesterday's performance. This presentation will present ideas for fresh thinking to unleash creativity and allow you to respond to today’s ever-changing environment.

Presented by: Mark Panciera

Wednesday, July 25, 2018  (The Court at Palm Aire)
Networking Activity

Wednesday, August 22, 2018  (The Court at Palm Aire)
Geriatric Oncology

Wednesday, September 26, 2018  (The Court at Palm Aire)
POLST:  Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Therapy

Presented by: Dr Lawrence Hock

Wednesday, October 24, 2018  (The Court at Palm Aire)
Legislative Update

Presented by: Kelly Wilson

An advocate who has worked in health and aging services since 1985, and active with the assisted living industry as Legislative Advocacy Chair of the Area Agency on Aging PSA 9, Kelly Wilson has traveled to Tallahassee every year since 2009.  She meets with state agency staff and key lawmakers both in Tallahassee and in local districts to discuss priority issues impacting health policy, industry regulation, appropriations for HCBS services and LTC Managed Care while tracking bills, committee hearings and reports and mobilizing groups and individuals when a  "call to action" is needed.  Kelly works with a statewide consumer advocacy coalition, Florida Voices for Health.  She is the Legislative Chair for the Partnership for Aging of Palm Beach, a member of the Florida Department of Elder Affairs Advisory Board and through recent activity with AARP Florida, she maintains current knowledge and involvement in local, state and federal policy.

Wednesday, November 28, 2018  (The Court at Palm Aire)
Cognitive Decline in the Elderly Population

Presented by: Yankel Girschman, DO