PLAN TO JOIN US FOR OUR INAUGURAL DEMENTIA CONFERENCE
Staying Present: Reclaiming Resilience, Connection, and Confidence in the Dementia Care Journey
This conference welcomes caregivers, professionals, family members, and all who walk alongside people living with dementia—or who wish to do so with greater understanding, compassion, and confidence. Rooted in the transformative work of author and chaplain Rev. Casteel Harper, Staying Present invites participants into a deeper conversation about what it means to remain human, connected, and whole amid the changing realities of dementia. We are honored to welcome Harper, author of On Vanishing, as our keynote speaker. Together with other thoughtful presenters, she will explore practices and perspectives that nurture presence, resilience, and meaningful relationship—even as roles, abilities, and expectations shift. Explore the sessions and speakers below and join us in this shared journey of learning, reflection, and hope.
| Date: | Friday, May 22 |
| Time: | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm |
| Location: | People’s Church 1758 N. 10th St. Kalamazoo, MI 49009 |
We are honored to welcome Harper as our keynote speaker. She and other presenters will explore what it means to stay present, human and connected amid the shifting landscapes of dementia. Learn more about the different topics and guest speakers below.
Session 1: Keynote Address by Rev. Casteel Harper
Staying Present: What Dementia Asks of Us
Inspired by her acclaimed book “On Vanishing,” Rev. Casteel Harper invites conference participants into a deeper understanding of presence, love and human connection in dementia care. Drawing on lived experience, cultural insight and reflective storytelling, this keynote reframes dementia not as loss alone, but as a call to remain relational, compassionate and fully human with one another.
Harper explores what it means to stay emotionally present amid uncertainty and change, offering grounding perspectives that affirm caregivers and honor the ongoing personhood of those living with dementia.
Themes: Resilience • Connection
Session 2: Journeying The Care Path
Clinical Psychologist & Dementia Care Educator
Confidence in Care: Practical Tools for Navigating Behavior, Change and Uncertainty
Dr. Elizabeth Warner offers skill‑based guidance to help caregivers better understand dementia‑related changes and respond with clarity, calm and confidence. This session focuses on interpreting behavior as communication, applying non‑medical strategies to reduce distress and strengthening caregiver decision‑making in complex care situations.
Participants will leave with practical tools they can begin using immediately to support dignity‑centered, relationship‑based care.
Themes: Confidence • Resilience
Dr. Elizabeth Warner is a general internist who has served patients in primary care, geriatric care and palliative care settings. She offers her current perspective as daughter AND doctor in caring for her parents. She highlights resources within positive psychology and strengths based leadership to support her personal path in providing care, and as a framework for honoring the journey.
Session 3: The Benefits of Peer Support
Joy Spahn, MPA & Chris Simons with a Panel of Persons Living with Dementia
This powerful session centers the voices of people living with dementia as they share firsthand perspectives on the importance of peer support. Through live discussion, video storytelling and interactive reflection, participants explore how peer connection fosters identity, belonging, learning and emotional well-being for those living with dementia.
Themes: Connection • Resilience
Joy Spahn brings over 45 years of experience in dementia education and advocacy, including leadership with the Alzheimer’s Association and the National Council of Dementia Minds. Chris Simons is a former Director of Dementia and Life Enrichment Services and current caregiver support group facilitator.
Session 4: GEMS State Model©: Facets and Changes on the Journey
Kathleen Garvey, OTRL, CAPS
An interactive overview of Teepa Snow’s GEMS State Model©, this session helps caregivers understand how abilities and needs change over time in dementia. Participants learn practical adaptations for communication, assistance and engagement that foster trust, safety and respectful care at every stage.
Themes: Confidence
Kathleen Garvey is an occupational therapist, certified Positive Approach to Care trainer, and owner of Sustain-Hability, LLC, with 15 years of dementia care experience across clinical and community settings.
Session 5: The Village Doesn’t End as We Age
Heather Mauney Pershing
This session explores why community and connection remain essential throughout aging and the dementia journey. Participants examine how to build, rebuild and rely on a personal “village” of support, and how doing so improves resilience, caregiver well-being and shared quality of life.
Themes: Connection • Resilience
Heather Mauney Pershing is Director of the Courter Memory Center and a dementia educator with lived experience as both a family and professional caregiver.
Session 6: Responding to Dementia-Related Behaviors
Claire Fisher, MPA
Grounded in Alzheimer’s Association best practices, this session examines common behavior changes in dementia and introduces a structured, non‑medical approach to understanding triggers and responses. Participants practice applying a four‑step method to reduce distress and support safer, more compassionate care.
Themes: Confidence
Claire Fisher is the Director of Program Services for the Alzheimer’s Association, with over 15 years of leadership in public health and community engagement.
Session 7: Being Financially Prepared for a Long-Term Care Event
Brendan McCarthy
This session provides caregivers with a clear overview of financial planning considerations before and during a long‑term care event. Topics include long‑term care insurance options, elder law, estate planning and strategies for managing finances during active caregiving.
Themes: Confidence
Brendan McCarthy is a financial advisor with over a decade of experience helping families plan for long-term care and aging-related transitions.
Session 8: Creating Supportive Spaces: Dementia-Friendly Strategies for Home and Community Settings
Ellia Flejtuch, OTD
Drawing from occupational therapy principles and real‑world examples, this session highlights practical, low‑cost environmental strategies that promote participation and independence for people living with dementia. Participants explore home and community adaptations that enhance safety, autonomy and engagement.
Themes: Confidence • Connection
Ellia Flejtuch is an occupational therapist whose work focuses on dementia-friendly environmental design in home and community settings.
Session 9: Caregivers’ Companions: Friends for the Journey
Jim Mangi, Ph.D., & Lori Venable
This session introduces an innovative one‑to‑one peer support model pairing new caregivers with experienced caregivers. Participants learn how companion programs reduce isolation, build confidence and strengthen caregiver well-being—for both the caregiver receiving support and the volunteer providing it.
Themes: Resilience • Connection
Jim Mangi is CEO and co-founder of Dementia Friendly Services and brings lived experience as a long-term caregiver. Lori Venable is a co-founder and caregiver advocate.
Session 10: Beyond the Task: Restoring Human Connection in Dementia Support
Jamie Price & Megan Kent
Focusing on language, validation and intentional engagement, this session challenges task‑driven care habits and restores relationships as the foundation of meaningful dementia support. Participants practice reframing language, responding with compassion, and creating daily moments of genuine human connection.
Themes: Connection
Jamie Price and Megan Kent are senior living leaders specializing in relationship-centered memory care and organizational culture change.
Session 11: Always There When You Need Care: Understanding Home Care, Dementia Support and Hospice
Kiley McGiness & Team, Interim HealthCare
This session demystifies home care, respite services and hospice support for individuals living with dementia and their families. Emphasis is placed on early planning, navigating hesitation, understanding benefits, and preserving dignity and connection throughout aging in place or community living.
Themes: Confidence • Resilience
Session 12: Physical Expressions of Unmet Needs: Working Through Challenges Together
Kathleen Garvey, OTRL, CAPS
Reframing “behaviors” as meaningful expressions, this experiential session draws from deep listening, improvisation and environmental awareness to help caregivers respond with empathy rather than frustration. Participants explore creative, relationship‑centered strategies that support mutual understanding and reduce stress.
Themes: Resilience • Connection
Kathleen Garvey is Intake Manager at Interim HealthCare with extensive experience in dementia, respite and hospice care planning.
Closing Reflection: Staying Present Together
A closing reflection invites participants to integrate key insights from the day and carry forward practical tools, renewed confidence and a deeper commitment to dignity‑centered dementia care.
The conference will feature a lunch and two breaks. Session times are subject to change.
