United Church Homes experts to speak at Navigating the Future Conference

Chapel Hill Community memory support directorCaroline James, Chapel Hill Community memory support director, and Amy Kotterman, director of hospitality, will speak at the conference on Nov. 9 at Bridgewater Banquet Center, 10561 Sawmill Parkway in Powell, Ohio.

James and Kotterman will discuss person-directed care for residents living with dementia. Kotterman also will give a presentation on the importance of allowing residents to make their own decisions in dining services.

Person-centered or person-directed care is a relationship-based approach that honors and respects the voice of older adults living in assisted living and long-term care communities. It involves a continuing process of listening, trying new things, seeing how they work and changing things to individualize care and de-institutionalize the long-term care environment, according to a statement by the Ohio PCCC.

The conference is an educational opportunity for skilled nursing community leadership and staff to learn to more about person-centered care.

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“I’m very excited. It’s always an honor when you have the opportunity to present at a conference of any sort. It’s great to be presenting with Caroline,” Kotterman said.

Kotterman also added that she and James are proud of the accomplishments at Chapel Hill Community in Canal Fulton, Ohio, where the staff has received accreditation from Comfort Matters, an internationally recognized dementia program.

Chapel Hill also has implemented the music therapy program Music & Memory and is getting ready to launch Opening Minds Through Art, an award-winning, art program for people with Alzheimer’s and other neurological disorders, Kotterman said.

Ohio Person-Centered Care Board President Shelly Szarek-Skodny said the conference is the first of its kind in seven years.

“The conference will provide an opportunity for providers to get together and learn from each other. This is probably the most valuable way for providers to find out what works and what doesn’t,” Szarek-Skodny said.

Sessions will include innovative initiatives to improve staff retention, person-centered choices, person-centered discharge planning, and more.

David C. Zack, director of operations at United Church Homes and an Ohio Person-Centered Care Board member, said he is thrilled Kotterman and James were selected to speak at the conference.

“I’m thrilled United Church Homes experts are sharing their skills, expertise and their knowledge,” Zack said.

Zack said more long-term care providers are adopting person-centered care and it is important for providers to share best practices.

“The conference is really going to bring together experts in the field of long-term care and give them a chance to learn from each other,” Zack said.

What: 2017 Navigating the Future conference
When: Nov. 9
Where: Bridgewater Banquet Center, 10561 Sawmill Parkway in Powell, Ohio
Cost: $149 per person; registration begins at 8 a.m

For more information about the conference click here; click here to register.

About United Church Homes: United Church Homes has been “Celebrating the Spirit” of seniors for a century. The nonprofit, faith-based organization is one of the largest providers of senior living, with more than 1,500 dedicated staff serving 4,500 residents of all faiths in 70 senior living communities throughout 14 states and two Native American nations. UCH is in covenant with the United Church of Christ and welcomes residents of all faiths.

Contact: United Church Homes Communications Department, 740-382-4885.