Back from the FGCMA Annual Meeting

The theme of this year's conference was: Challenges for the Care Manager.  It was an engaging and informative couple of days with a high caliber of speakers.  The event opened with Dr Huber's presentation outlining Assessing, Planning and Implementing Advocacy Interventions.  Dr. Huber's research interests include social work education; hospice; and National long term care Ombudsman program.  She is the recipient of the Trustees Award from the U. of Louisville Board of Trustees for her impact on student's lives. 

Margaret Dugger founded an independent consulting firm which specializes in developing products, services and marketing for older adults.  Her firm also provides strategic planning and organizational leadership training to Boards of Directors of several firms.  Her presentation - The Art of Advocacy - In Action centered around the legislative process of licensure for GCMs and was quite the eye opener for those interested in exploring a grass-roots effort to promote licensure. 

Jack Levine, founder of 4Generations Institute in Tallahassee is a communications and public policy consultant.  His expertise is in developing and delivering messages to the media, public officials, and a diverse network of advocates on the values of preventive investments in dignified services for elders.  He is the Director of GRAND Magazine, a national publication reaching out to some 77 million Baby Boomers.  His very animated discussion was titled, "Advocacy Lessons I learned at My Grandmother's Table."  He was named Floridian of the year by the Orlando Sentinel.  

Dr. Brian Wolstenholme received his Doctor of Pharmacy from Nova Southeastern University in 1999 and is the President of MediSort Medication Consultants, PA.  He is a board Certified Geriatric Pharmacist (CGP) with nearly ten years experience and a member of the Fellow of American Society of Consultant Pharmacists.  He teaches Geriatric and long-term care Pharmacy to students in their final PharmD year at the U of Florida College of Pharmacy, a contributing Editor of RxWiki.com, and a Licensed Florida Pharmacist as well as a Licensed Florida Consultant Pharmacist.  His presentation was a standing-room only presentation at this conference of very experienced care managers.  As a GCM, I personally come in contact on a daily basis with the horrors of medication mis-management that exists today, seriously impacting our elder client's health.  Having access to a consultant like Dr. Brian, ensures our family's "peace of mind" that this very important piece of the elder care puzzle is in place.  

Break-out sessions were conducted by Victoria Peet Williams, a Member of Florida State Emerency Response Team for 2004 Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne, 2005 Hurricane Wilma, and Tropical Storm Fay in 2008.  The objective of her discussion was to inform and educate attendees about free services provided by Department of Financial Services, a regulatory agency responsible for assisting consumers who need information and help related fo financial services. 

Another break-out session was presented by Nanette Lavoie-Vaughan, MSN, ARNP.  Ms. Vaughn has a diverse background in Geriatrics, is currently employed as an adult nurse practitioner and a professional consultant, and authors articles on geriatrics for multiple publications.  An advanced directive tool was introduced that incorporates treatment choices, values/wishes, understanding of disease/conditions, goals of care and comfort measures.  This was followed by a role playing case study meant to illustrate the concept of advanced care planning.   

Saturday's first presenters began with a very comprehensive advocacy discussion titled, "Who's the Boss", advocating effectively that professional care managers acknowledge that the family caregiver is, indeed the boss.  Three real-life scenarios were distributed for discussion.  This presentation was coordinated between Brenda Bryant, author, co-author, and editor of numerous books and articles on mental health issues, racism, and communications.  She is also the V.P. of Mae Volen Senior Center in Boca Raton.  Ms. Bryant's co-presenter was David Levy, instrumental in the creation of the first Masters Level Program for GCM, founded at Lynn University.  I happen to be a graduate of this program.  Mr. Levy holds a Doctorate of Jurisprudence, Certification as a Caregiver Educator and Trainer, and Advanced Certification with Highest Honors in Gerontology.  He is a licensed Eldercare Mediator and Family Mediator in the State of Florida and teaches non-clinical Family Care giving at FAU.  

Final presenter was the Pacific Coast author of the Handbook of Geriatric Care Management, Cathy Jo Cress.  Cathy Cress has taught aging at Berkeley, San Francisco State University and owned a geriatric care management agency, Cresscare Case Management for Elders for 25 years.  Her discussion centered around advocating for a whole family approach to geriatric care management, asking GCMs to reassess our roles as GCMs to educate, assess, advocate, and move the client and family members through the continuum of care when the client is hospitalized.

The FGCMA conference closed following a Leadership Luncheon which included a lecture by Ron Kirsch about "Participatory Leadership" and coursework prep taught by Cheryl Whitman for GCMs about to take their certification exams.  For more information contact Olga Brunner, certified geriatric care manager, and founder and president of A Good Daughter Elder Care Management in Boca Raton, Florida.

olga@agooddaughter.com