25th Annual Idaho Conference on Health Care
and 5th Annual Thomas Geriatric Health Symposium

"Barriers to Community Participation"

Friday, October 19, 2012

Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, a no-cost, interdisciplinary geriatric health symposium is held annually for students and clinicians in the rehabilitation sciences. The first symposium was held in December 2008 and focused on mental health. The second symposium took place on October 30, 2009 and the topic was "Balance and Fall Prevention." The 2010 symposium, held on October 29 focused on "Collaborative Care for Chronic Disease." The 2011 symposium centered on "Transitions of Care." This year's theme is "Barriers to Community Participation."

Tentative Schedule

8:00-8:30am Registration and Check-in • Pond Student Union Building (Ballroom)
8:30-8:45am Welcome Dr. Linda Hatzenbuehler, Associate VP & Exec. Dean, Division of Health Sciences
8:45-9:00am Showcase Interprofessional Geriatric Certificate Program Dr. Beverly Hewett, School of Nursing
9:00-10:00am Keynote: Overview of the Science of Gerontology • Pond Student Union Ballroom Lorie Eber, JD, Gerontologist, CPT
10:00-10:15am Break (Visit Sponsor Booths)
10:15-11:15am Walk a Mile in My Shoes: Experience the Common Disabilities of Older Adults • Pond Student Union Ballroom Lorie Eber, JD, Gerontologist, CPT
11:15-12:30pm Lunch break (on your own)
12:30-1:30pm Aging brains, Dementia/Alzheimers • Pond Student Union Ballroom Lorie Eber, JD, Gerontologist, CPT
1:30-2:30pm Barrier to Community Participation:Alzheimer's Roundtable • Meridian Health Center Mike Berlin, LCSW, MS Gerontology, Community Volunteer
2:30-2:45pm Break (Visit Sponsor Booths)  
2:45-4:00pm Pharmacologic Considerations in the Elderly • Meridian Health Center College of Pharmacy, Dr. Roger Hefflinger

Session 1, Keynote: Overview of the Science of Gereontology
Keynote Speaker: Lorie Eber, JD, Gerontologist, CPT

Session 2: Walk a Mile in My Shoes: Experience the Common Disabilities of Older Adults

Session 3: Aging brains, Dementia/Alzheimers

Presentation Description:
The participants will understand the demographics of the aging population and its significance. They will also learn about the physical and emotional looses that occur with aging and realize the implications of the aging population on our social services and health care system.

Presenter's Biographical Sketch:
Lorie Eber earned her Juris Doctor from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law in 1981 and worked in private practice as a corporate litigator for 23 years. In 2004, she "retired" and decided to make Gerontology her new career. Ms. Eber is also a Personal Trainer, certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine and a credentialed Senior Fitness Specialist.

Lorie's inspiration for her career as an aging specialist was her Dad, who is now 93 years old and living in a dementia care facility. Her hands-on experience in elder care derives from working for he Council on Aging Orange County for six years in various capacities, including as a field Ombudsman and as the Coordinator of the Council's Continuing Education Program. Lorie has been an Instructor of Gerontology at Coastline Community College since 2006.

Ms. Eber is a professional keynote speaker to professional associations, corporations and community organizations. She specializes in creating innovative and fun educational programs on a wide variety of topics relating to healthy living, graceful aging and aging-in-place issues.

Session 4: Healthcare Policy-Making - The Idaho Alzheimer's Planning Group
Presenters: Mike Berlin, LCSW, MS, Gerontology, Community Volunteer

Presenters' Biographical Sketches:
Mr. Berlin is a clinical gerontologist, currently teaching graduate courses in the nursing and health sciences programs at Boise State University. His courses include leadership development, health care economics and financing, and policy-making related to issues of aging. He was previously vice president of operations and product development for a national employee assistance and managed behavioral healthcare organization. He is a co-founder of the Idaho Alzheimer's Planning Group, a grass roots volunteer group that was recently endorsed by the Idaho state legislature to develop a statewide plan to address the needs of caregivers and family members of people suffering from Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.

Session 5: Pharmacologic Considerations in the Elderly
Presenters: Roger Hefflinger, Pharm.D., Associate Professor Idaho State University, ISU Meridian, Family Medicine Residency of Idaho

Presenters' Biographical Sketches:
Roger Hefflinger, PharmD. Graduated from University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy in 1986 then completed a clinical pharmacy residency also at the University of Nebraska. He joined Idaho State University College of Pharmacy in 1987 as a Treasure Valley based faculty member and initially had a service commitment to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center providing expertise in Nutritional Support and Intensive care unit medicine. In 1991 he switched service commitment joining the Family Medicine Residency of Idaho (FMRI). Presently he has a joint affiliation with FMRI and the College of Pharmacy. FMRI is a 42 resident physician, 41 faculty physician program with an emphasis on training the MD for rural practice. Dr. Hefflinger has structured his educational experiences to provide pharmacy students and physicians with drug information, pharmaceutical care, and patient management in both the hospital and clinic environments. His interest areas include Pain, Asthma, CAD, Infectious disease, HIV, pharmacy cost containment strategies, and ambulatory medication management issues. Dr. Hefflinger contributes significantly to the regional continuing educational needs of physicians, pharmacists and mid level practitioners.