Iowa State Conference on Aging
Overview
Registration |
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The cost to attend is $165.85. For questions, please email Sydney Marshman, OTD, OTR/L.
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Target Audience
Healthcare professionals.
Purpose
This activity is designed to enhance the knowledge, skills, and interprofessional collaboration of healthcare providers who serve aging adults across Iowa. The program addresses the growing and complex needs of Iowa’s older population through evidence-based, patient-centered education.
The activity focuses on promoting functional independence, managing chronic conditions, and navigating the evolving landscape of healthcare delivery for older Iowans. By fostering practical strategies and community-based approaches, this educational offering supports clinicians in improving health outcomes, reducing disparities, and advancing quality of life for aging adults statewide.
Educational Need
There is a gap between evidence-based practices that promote healthy aging and the current knowledge and implementation capacity among healthcare providers and community stakeholders across Iowa. Many professionals lack current understanding of available aging services, innovative home-based models, and the role of interdisciplinary collaboration in optimizing outcomes for older adults. This CME activity responds to needs identified through feedback from partners, rural service gaps, and community assessments showing limited awareness of best practices in dementia care, fall prevention, and community-based interventions.
Learning Objectives
- Describe current challenges and opportunities in aging services across rural and urban Iowa.
- Identify strategies to improve functional independence and quality of life for older adults.
- Apply principles of interdisciplinary collaboration to improve care delivery and care transitions for aging Iowans.
- Integrate community-based resources into individualized care planning for older adults and their caregivers.
Agenda
The agenda is subject to change.
Time | Session |
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8:30 am | Welcome and Opening Remarks |
8:45 am | Keynote Address: State of Aging in Iowa Eugenia Kendall, MSW Elizabeth Fridley, RDN, LD |
9:45 am | Innovations in Dementia Care Yogesh Shah, MD, MPH, FAAFM |
10:45 am | Innovations in Home Modifications Older Adult Home Modifications (15 minutes) HUDU (15 minutes) |
11:15 am | Open Forum: Community Resource Navigation |
12:00 pm | Lunch |
1:00 pm | Executive to Caregiver Erika Sellers |
1:30 pm | Rural Care Delivery Sonita Oldfield-Carlson Ben Carmack, PA-C Randi Boell, BSN, RN Sarah L. Francis, PhD, MHS, RDN |
2:30 pm | Break |
2:40 pm | Breakout Session 1 |
Empowering Seniors: Supporting Employment Goals for the Elderly with Disabilities April Stotz, CRC | |
Effective Communication and Response in Dementia Jennifer Bodensteiner, MS, CCC-SLP | |
3:55 pm | Breakout Session 2 |
Neurodiversity in Aging Davis Carmack, MS, OTD, OTR/L | |
Housing Stability and Preventing Eviction in Older Adults Angie Arthur Emily Osweiler, MSW | |
Public Policy and Advocacy for Aging Populations Lina Tucker Reinders, MPH | |
4:20 pm | Question and Answer Session |
4:30 pm | Adjourn |
Location
Speaker(s)
ANGIE ARTHUR
Ms. Arthur serves as the Executive Director of Homeward Iowa. She is an accomplished community leader with extensive experience and success in creating and fostering relationships in both work and community environments. Ms. Arthur is an effective communicator in public speaking, building consensus with diverse groups, interpersonal conversations, and business writing, with outstanding collaboration and motivational skills. She has a proven track record in leading people, directing operational and special event projects, and keeping focus on achieving established goals. She can conceptualize organizational strategy, quickly consolidate disparate thoughts into a cohesive message, and effectively execute strategies. Ms. Arthur's positive, calm, and confident personality focuses on making beneficial impacts on work and the community.
JENNIFER BODENSTEINER, MS, CCC-SLP
Ms. Bodensteiner has over 26 years of experience as a Speech-Language Pathologist. She is a problem solver and an expert in communication and dementia care with demonstrated success helping adults and their care partners in home, hospital, and health care settings. She is a seasoned collaborator with health care professionals, providing training on effective communication and response to the individual needs of persons with dementia. Ms. Bodensteiner is skilled in dementia care, communication, cognitive-linguistic rehabilitation, language disorders, stroke rehabilitation, augmentative and alternative communication, management, and thinking outside the box.
RANDI BOELL, BSN, RN
With 18 years in nursing and over two decades in rural healthcare, Ms. Boell is currently pursuing a DNP in Health Systems to further her impact. She is passionate about advancing patient outcomes through evidence-based practice, innovation, and collaboration. Ms. Boell has led improvements in clinical workflows, patient safety, and organizational culture. She thrives in dynamic environments and brings a positive, solutions-driven mindset to every challenge. Ms. Boell is committed to improving care for patients, teams, and communities.
BEN CARMACK, PA-C
Mr. Carmack received his undergraduate degree from Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. After graduating, he earned his Master's in Physician Assistant Studies from Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences. Mr. Carmack chose to enter the medical field because he felt the need to help others and enjoys solving scientific problems. As a provider, he hopes to make an impact by providing compassionate and evidence-based care.
DAVIS CARMACK, MS, OTD, OTR/L
Dr. Carmack earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology and then went on to get a doctorate in occupational therapy. She is passionate about occupational therapy because she gets to be a professional problem solver and play all day! Dr. Carmack loves to work with families to understand and identify supports and strategies based on each individual's differences. Her specific areas of interest are sensory processing, emotional regulation, executive functioning, social participation, and gross and fine motor development. Dr. Carmack focuses on a developmental, holistic, family-centered approach to create a specific and individualized treatment plan.
AMBER CROSBY, MSW, LISW, RYT-200
Ms. Crosby is the founder of Ananda Mental Wellness and Yoga, one of Central Iowa's newest mental health providers. She is committed to reducing the stigma of mental health for those she serves, working to guide them on paths toward mental wellness rather than mental health. With over 17 years of experience, Ms. Crosby has worked with individuals across the lifespan (ages 0 to 100) in a variety of settings. She has spent much of her career working with those struggling with chronic and life-limiting illnesses. She also has experience working with those who struggle with a wide range of other issues, including depression, anxiety, grief and loss, miscarriage and infant loss, trauma, and marital and family conflicts. Ms. Crosby has a special interest in supporting employers who are interested in promoting self care and wellness amongst their employees.
SARAH L. FRANCIS, PhD, MSH, RDN
Dr. Francis is a Professor at Iowa State University. She is a healthy aging advocate passionate about empowering older adults to stay independent and thrive. Her journey began unexpectedly while working with aging adults in cardiac rehab and diabetes care, which opened her eyes to their resilience, wisdom, and zest for life. As an award-winning implementation scientist, Dr. Francis has designed audience-centered wellness programs using Social Marketing Theory to inspire meaningful behavior change. She is a dedicated educator, mentoring students through hands-on learning and fostering community nutrition skills while emphasizing work-life harmony.
ELIZABETH FRIDLEY, RDN, LD
Ms. Fridley serves as the Health Promotion Director at the Iowa Department on Aging. She received her bachelor's degree in Dietetics and is a Registered Dietitian. Her interest in food and nutrition began on a century-old family farm in Iowa. This sparked a passion for collaborating with others to bridge the gap between science and food to improve people's lives. Drawing from her expertise in nutrition and culinary science, Ms. Fridley guides others in their journey to a healthier lifestyle.
EUGENIA KENDALL, MSW
Ms. Kendall is the Strategic Planning and Assessment Coordinator at the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. She has her Master of Social Work Degree from St. Ambrose University. She previously worked at an Area Agency on Aging for seven years as a part of their leadership team. Before that, she worked at United Way for 13 years as a community building manager. In her current position, she leads the development process for the State Plan on Aging, coordinates the review process for Area Plan development, and is also the project manager for developing Iowa's first Multisector Plan for Aging.
SONITA OLDFIELD-CARLSON
Ms. Oldfield-Carlson serves as the Health Promotion and Home Safety Director at Milestones Area Agency on Aging. She plays a pivotal role in enhancing the health and well-being of older Iowans aged 60 and above. With a focus on health promotion programming, Ms. Oldfield-Carlson directs initiatives that empower seniors to take charge of their health through evidence-based practices. Her expertise is particularly evident in her leadership of the Stanford University-developed Chronic Disease Self-Management Program, known as Better Choices Better Health, and the A Matter of Balance program, which is designed to prevent falls among older adults.
EMILY OSWEILER, MSW
Ms. Osweiler serves as the CEO of Greater Des Moines Supportive Housing. She helped lead the efforts to build and launch the YMCA Supportive Housing Campus in Des Moines in 2011. She assisted in planning the design of the facility with architects, developed resident-centered programming, and managed the low-income tax credits. Ms. Osweiler has 18 years of nonprofit experience and more than a decade of experience in board development and management, fundraising, cultivating strategic partnerships, and around social work issues of homelessness, substance abuse, mental illness, trauma, veterans’ needs, extreme poverty, mindfulness, and more.
ERIKA SELLERS
Coming soon.
YOGESH SHAH, MD, MPH, FAAFM
Dr. Shah is a Mayo Clinic Fellowship-trained, board-certified geriatrician and director of Palliative Care at Broadlawns Medical Center. He is triple-board-certified in Family Medicine, Geriatrics, Hospice, and Palliative Care. Dr. Shah holds a master’s in public health (MPH) from Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences. In March 2013, Dr. Shah was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to develop a palliative care curriculum in Rwanda, Africa.
Dr. Shah has received numerous awards for his work related to aging and dementia. He has received the Passport to Prosperity Award, which honors individuals who immigrated to the state of Iowa and have contributed significantly to the community.
APRIL STOTZ, CRC
Ms. Stotz is the Resource Manager of Training at Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services. She received her undergraduate in Applied Sciences from Iowa State University and her master's degree in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling from Drake University.
DERRECK STRATTON
From the roar of F-16 engines to the literal demolition of concrete barriers, Mr. Stratton's career has been defined by overcoming challenges and creating new opportunities. As the Founder and CEO of HUDU, he is dedicated to building a better gig economy through our innovative Odd Job Marketplace. Mr. Stratton's professional journey began in the U.S. Air Force, where he developed critical leadership skills, an unwavering attention to detail, and a relentless commitment to excellence. After his military service, he founded Interior Demolition Services, transforming it from a solo endeavor into a robust operation with a team of 50 professionals across seven Midwest states. The mission was clear: dismantle the old to pave the way for the new. This experience sharpened his ability to manage large teams and complex projects, preparing him for the next big leap.
At HUDU, Mr. Stratton has channeled these experiences to create a platform that prioritizes the 'Doer.' Our ecosystem celebrates gig workers by providing them with benefits such as paid vacation, tax assistance, and transparent, fair compensation. HUDU is committed to ensuring that every project is a step towards a more secure and prosperous future for our community members. HUDU is not just a platform; it’s a movement towards dignifying hard work, democratizing opportunity, and enabling success for all.
LINA TUCKER REINDERS, MPH
Ms. Tucker Reinders is the Executive Director of IPHA. She earned a bachelor’s degree in human services and a Master of Public Health from the University of Minnesota. Before serving as IPHA’s Executive Director, Lina began her career in public health as an AmeriCorps VISTA community organizer in Minneapolis, later becoming the legislative liaison for tobacco control at the MN Department of Public Health, and a member of the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. Since returning to the US, she has spent her time consulting on various public health projects ranging from social protection, global health system development, and maternal/child health, always with a focus on health equity. She became an active member of IPHA upon moving to Iowa in 2013, saying in her introductory speech as Executive Director, “I knew that if I wanted to be a part of the public health community in Iowa, I needed to join IPHA.”
DAVE WILLIAMSON
Mr. Williamson serves as the Housing Services Manager, Housing Services Division at the Polk County Public Works Department.
CE Credits
Accreditation Statements
- MD: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Iowa Medical Society (IMS) through the joint providership of Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences (DMU) and Iowa Ortho. DMU is accredited by the IMS to provide continuing medical education for physicians. DMU designates this live activity for 6.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
- DO: Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences (DMU) is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) to provide osteopathic continuing medical education for physicians. DMU designates this activity for a maximum of 6.5 AOA Category 2-A credits and will report CME and specialty credits commensurate with the extent of the physician’s participation in this activity.
- Other healthcare providers: This activity is designated for 6.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™.
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Educational Grants
No ineligible company provided financial support for this continuing education activity.
Disclosures
The speaker(s) will disclose if any pharmaceuticals, medical procedures, or devices discussed are investigational or unapproved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The activity director is responsible for determining educational content and selecting speakers.
Relevant to the content of this educational activity, the following individual(s) have no conflict(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.
- Jennifer Bodensteiner, MS, CCC-SLP - Speaker
- Randi Boell, BSN, RN - Speaker
- Sarah L. Francis, PhD, MHS, RDN - Speaker
- Elizabeth Fridley, RDN, LD - Speaker
- Eugenia Kendall, MSW - Speaker
- Sydney Marshman, OTD, OTR/L - Activity Director and Activity Coordinator
Relevant to the content of this educational activity, the following individual(s) have conflict(s) with ineligible companies to disclose. All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated.
- Coming soon.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this activity is for continuing education purposes only. It is not meant to substitute for the independent medical judgment of a healthcare provider relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition.
Available Credit
- 6.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™
- 6.50 AOA Category 2A
- 6.50 CE Contact Hour(s)
Register/Take course
Price
The cost to attend is $165.85.
For questions, please email Sydney Marshman, OTD, OTR/L.