Presenters will offer answers to medical and legal questions as well as unique strategies to connect with those living with dementia. 

How Alzheimer’s Affects the Brain

James S. Powers, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, received a BA cum laude from Wesleyan University (CT) in 1973 and MD with Distinction in Research from the University of Rochester (NY) in 1977 followed by residency in Internal Medicine at Cleveland Clinic and Case Western Reserve University Hospitals 1977-80. He served in the USPHS National Health Service Corps 1980-83 following which he was recruited to Vanderbilt to develop a Geriatric Medicine Program within the Division of General Internal Medicine.

Dr. Powers is Associate Professor of Medicine as well as Associate Professor of Gerontologic Nursing, Department of Family and Community Health. Author of over 75 papers, books, and book chapters he has devoted his academic career to Geriatric Nutrition, Education, and Healthcare Quality and Safety. He has mentored over 1200 trainees while at Vanderbilt and holds Fellowship in the American College of Physicians, American College of Nutrition, American Geriatrics Society, Gerontologic Society of America, and the Royal Society of Medicine. He serves as the Associate Clinical Director for the VA Tennessee Valley Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, and Program Director for the Vanderbilt Geriatric Fellowship.
Dr. Powers’ research interests include educational outcome evaluation, aging body composition, and models of geriatric care. He is PI of the Vanderbilt-Reynolds Geriatric Education Program, Co-PI of the Meharry Geriatric Education Center, and leads numerous clinical demonstration projects for the TVHS GRECC concerned with falls prevention, caregiver support, and treatment of agitated dementia, and health systems improvement.

Estate Planning Changes with a Dementia Diagnosis

Barbara McGinnis, CELA, Certified Elder Law Attorney Partner, Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law & Estate Planning 

Before receiving her license to practice law in Tennessee, Barbara spent more than two decades as a Registered Nurse and Gerontological Nurse Practitioner working in a variety of settings, including hospitals, long-term care centers, outpatient clinics, and home health. She holds the coveted Certified Elder Law Attorney credential from the National Elder Law Foundation and is a partner at Johnson McGinnis Elder Care Law & Estate Planning in Hendersonville. Barbara is also one of the principals of Life Care Consulting LLC, a consulting firm that helps attorneys launch successful Life Care Planning practices.

All adults need an estate plan, if they have anyone or anything they want to protect. But when you receive a diagnosis of dementia or a related diagnosis, even MCI, the ballgame changes.  Obviously, the need to obtain health care directives and power of attorney documents is urgent. These documents must be put in place while you have capacity. So the timing needs of estate planning with a dementia diagnosis definitely changes, but the goals of estate planning also change to include asset protection, and quality of life assurance. 

Connecting with Loved Ones Using the 5 Senses

Barb Abramson, Founder of “Making Meaningful Connections” is passionate about how people communicate and connect with each other. Her company, Making Meaningful Connections, grew out of several life experiences that led her to help people create positive relationships. Her work with corporations, schools, senior centers, Boards and community organizations help people connect more deeply to themselves, to each other, and to the opportunities in their lives.

She's all about increasing happiness and profitability, decreasing bullying and depression, helping friendships evolve, partnerships develop, and “aha” moments occur. In all of those endeavors, the one thing that brought her success over and over is the ability to connect dots and connect people. 

Plus, an energetic panel discussion: Adding Fun and Meaning to your Caregiving Day

Family Caregivers: $25 | Professionals: $40 (includes CEUs)
Breakfast, lunch and all workshop materials are included.