AGENDA

VISION TO IMPACT

Advancing Community-Based Care Nursing

Explore a thoughtfully designed agenda focused on real-world learning, connection, and practical takeaways for community-based care nurses and other professionals.

NurseLearn Conference 2026 Agenda

Conference Schedule

March 9, 2026 • Full Day Agenda

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Coffee & Explore OMSI and Exhibitors
9:00 AM - 9:15 AM
Welcome
Cynthia McDaniel
9:15 AM - 10:15 AM
General Session
"The Neuropsychiatry of Behavioral Symptoms in People Living with Dementia"
Dr. Clifford Singer
+

This session will lead to a better understanding of what changes in the brain drive many of the emotional, cognitive and behavioral symptoms experienced by people living with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. This knowledge will lead to more effective responses and planning to help nurses and other professionals care for people living with dementia.

Learning Objectives:

  1. List at least three areas of the brain affected by dementia.
  2. Describe at least one aspect of perception, understanding or behavior related to these three brain regions.
  3. Review how Alzheimer's disease, Lewy body disease and frontotemporal dementia are likely to lead to different behavioral symptoms.
View Dr. Singer's Profile
10:15 AM - 10:45 AM
Break
Morning Break
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Break
Lunch, Exhibitor Fair, & OMSI Exploration
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Break
Afternoon Break
3:00 PM - 4:15 PM
General Session
"What if Maslow Was Wrong?"
Dr. Terri Harvath
+

When faced with difficult decisions regarding older adults, we often focus on the side of safety, citing Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs as the basis for that decision. Within the context of person-centered care, however, safety is not always what is most important to the older adult, at least not safety as defined by the health care providers. If we are to truly achieve person-centered care, we must be willing to honor the personal preferences of older adults, even if it involves a measure of risk.

The purpose of this session is to create a dialogue among nurses and other community-based care professions, regarding the tension between safety, quality of daily living, and autonomy when it comes to decision-making for older adults.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Explore the dynamic tension that exists when trying to balance safety, autonomy and quality of daily living for frail older adults and those living with dementia.
  2. Describe a framework that can be used to delve more deeply into complex decision-making within the context of person-centered care.
  3. Apply a framework for complex decision-making to real-life case scenarios to explore how to manage risk in situations where concerns for an older person's safety confront their autonomy and quality of life.
View Dr. Harvath's Profile
4:15 PM - 4:30 PM
Closing Remarks
Cynthia McDaniel

Breakout Session Tracks

Two rounds of concurrent sessions - expand for full details

1 Track 1: Dementia

Round 1 • 10:45 AM - 12:00 PM
"Responding to Aggression, Agitation, and Sexualized Behaviors"
Dr. Clifford Singer
+

Successful response and treatment of aggressive, agitated, or sexualized behaviors in persons living with dementia depends on close observation of the person's behaviors, understanding their context and what clues they give us to better relate to the person's subjective experiences. This session will review strategies to conduct the detective work needed to observe and understand these behaviors, and describe them to medical colleagues, to facilitate effective treatment and response.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Review the basic approach to developing hypotheses around specific behavioral symptoms.
  2. List several tools available to quantitatively report what symptoms are occurring, their frequency and severity.
  3. Identify three features of behavioral symptoms that can predict better response to non-pharmacologic approaches and three features that might justify pharmacologic trials.
View Dr. Singer's Profile
Round 2 • 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
"Keys Bags Names Words" Film
+

Caring for people living with dementia presents profound challenges to families and societies, and the global burden is vastly underestimated. As global populations age, the number of people living with dementia grows, tripling by 2050 to 152 million—overwhelming families, communities, public health care systems and economies worldwide.

This film is intended to create a shift. A shift in thinking among those who have dementia from hopelessness to optimism and action for a higher quality of life. A shift for carers from loss and despair to connection. A shift towards prevention and knowing how to keep our brains healthy. And a shift that comes from real people sharing their experiences—the funny, the angry, the sad, the powerful—and finding ways we can be less afraid and more inclusive.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Articulate the current and projected global impact of dementia on individuals, families, and healthcare systems.
  2. Identify strategies to shift the mindset surrounding dementia from one of hopelessness to optimism.
  3. List practical actions that can enhance the quality of life for both those living with dementia and their caregivers.

2 Track 2: Leadership

Round 1 • 10:45 AM - 12:00 PM
"Practical Dementia Care Support for Busy Professionals: Exploring New Evidence-Informed Resources"
Alzheimer Association Oregon Chapter
+

Nurses and other professionals caring for people living with dementia are expected to stay current on best practices, communicate effectively with families, and lead care teams—often with limited time and rapidly evolving guidance. Finding reliable, evidence-informed resources in the middle of a busy shift can feel overwhelming.

This session focuses on how professionals can quickly access and apply practical, trusted dementia care resources to support clinical decision-making, staff education, and everyday interactions with residents and families. Participants will explore tools built to empower dementia care professionals in providing person-centered care, including resources covering latest clinical guidelines, training tools, research publications, and more. Make your dementia care more manageable, confident, and consistent!

Learning Objectives:

  1. Identify reliable, evidence-informed dementia care resources on the AlzPro tool—including clinical guidelines, training modules, and research tools—to efficiently employ information that supports dementia care and decision-making.
  2. Utilize evidence-informed, person-centered tools to enhance clinical workflows, communication strategies, and care planning for individuals living with dementia.
Round 2 • 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
"Navigating Falls in Dementia Care: Analyzing Risks and Implementing Effective Interventions"
Sara Dys PhD MPA, David Berger JD, Laura Richardson BS RN
+

This session will delve into the critical issue of falls with injury among residents living in community-based care settings, focusing particularly on individuals living with dementia. Participants will consider data that illustrates the incidence of falls and gain insights into the prevalence of falls among residents living with dementia and the factors that contribute to this vulnerability. Fall intervention strategies and preventative measures will be explored with the aim of reducing fall risks and improving overall quality of care.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Interpret data regarding the incidence of falls with injury in various community-based care settings in Oregon, with a specific focus on residents living with dementia.
  2. Identify and evaluate the characteristics and risk factors associated with residents, particularly those with dementia, who experience falls.
  3. Analyze fall intervention strategies and preventative measures specifically designed to enhance safety and reduce fall risks for people living with dementia.

3 Track 3: Wound Care

Round 1 • 10:45 AM - 12:00 PM
"Skin, Safety, and the Silent Crisis: Early Risk Detection in Community-Based Care Nursing"
Nancy Morgan
+

Community-based care nurses are often the first to recognize subtle skin changes that signal increased risk for breakdown, injury, or decline. These early warning signs are frequently missed or misinterpreted, particularly in residents living with dementia or limited communication.

This session focuses on practical skin assessment, early risk recognition, and defensible clinical decision-making in community settings. Participants will learn how to identify meaningful changes in skin integrity, understand the impact of dementia and care environment on risk of skin injury, and document findings and interventions in a way that supports timely action and protects both the resident and the nurse.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Differentiate age-related skin changes from early indicators of skin breakdown and pressure injury risk in community-based care settings.
  2. Identify assessment findings and behavioral cues associated with increased skin risk in residents living with dementia compared to those without cognitive impairment.
  3. Apply appropriate documentation strategies to support early intervention, escalation, and defensible clinical decision-making in assisted living and adult foster care environments.
View Nancy Morgan's Profile
Round 2 • 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
"Wounds - What to Treat, When to Escalate, and How to Stay Defensible"
Nancy Morgan
+

Managing wounds in community-based care settings presents unique challenges related to scope of practice, delegation, resource limitations, and changing care environments. Nurses working in community-based care settings must balance timely intervention with appropriate escalation, often in residents with complex medical and cognitive needs.

This session provides practical guidance for identifying common wound types encountered in community settings, determining appropriate nursing actions within scope, and recognizing when escalation to a provider or higher level of care is required. Emphasis is placed on documentation strategies that demonstrate clinical judgment, support continuity of care, and reduce risk to both the resident and the nurse.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Recognize common wound presentations encountered in community-based care and distinguish findings that require monitoring from those requiring escalation.
  2. Determine appropriate nursing interventions and delegation considerations for wound management within assisted living, memory care, and adult foster care settings.
  3. Implement documentation practices that reflect clinical judgment, support escalation decisions, and promote defensible wound management in non-facility environments.
View Nancy Morgan's Profile

4 Track 4: Regulations

Round 1 • 10:45 AM - 12:00 PM
"Incident Investigation and Documentation"
Gabi Sanchez
+

Proper incident investigation and documentation is critical for regulatory compliance, quality improvement, and protecting both residents and staff. This session will provide practical guidance on conducting thorough investigations, documenting findings accurately, and implementing corrective actions that demonstrate commitment to continuous improvement.

Learn best practices for immediate response, evidence collection, root cause analysis, and creating documentation that meets regulatory requirements while supporting your facility's defense in the event of citations or litigation.

View Gabi Sanchez's Profile
Round 2 • 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
"Owning Your License: Professional Accountability including RN Delegation"
Gretchen Koch
+

This session will address specific permissions and responsibilities, and individual accountability, established with OSBN RN license ownership. Additional RN permissions and responsibilities as established in Division 47 standards for RN delegation process are also presented. This session includes time for discussion following the presented content.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Explain the purpose of professional titling laws.
  2. Discuss specific permissions and responsibilities with RN license ownership.
  3. Compare the terms responsibility and accountability as used in RN-applicable practice standards, including RN delegation in Oregon.
View Gretchen Koch's Profile

General Sessions

Full conference keynote presentations

9:15 AM - 10:15 AM
"The Neuropsychiatry of Behavioral Symptoms in People Living with Dementia"
Dr. Clifford Singer
+

This session will lead to a better understanding of what changes in the brain drive many of the emotional, cognitive and behavioral symptoms experienced by people living with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. This knowledge will lead to more effective responses and planning to help nurses and other professionals care for people living with dementia.

Learning Objectives:

  1. List at least three areas of the brain affected by dementia.
  2. Describe at least one aspect of perception, understanding or behavior related to these three brain regions.
  3. Review how Alzheimer's disease, Lewy body disease and frontotemporal dementia are likely to lead to different behavioral symptoms.
View Dr. Singer's Profile
3:00 PM - 4:15 PM
"What if Maslow Was Wrong?"
Dr. Terri Harvath
+

When faced with difficult decisions regarding older adults, we often focus on the side of safety, citing Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs as the basis for that decision. Within the context of person-centered care, however, safety is not always what is most important to the older adult, at least not safety as defined by the health care providers. If we are to truly achieve person-centered care, we must be willing to honor the personal preferences of older adults, even if it involves a measure of risk.

The purpose of this session is to create a dialogue among nurses and other community-based care professions, regarding the tension between safety, quality of daily living, and autonomy when it comes to decision-making for older adults.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Explore the dynamic tension that exists when trying to balance safety, autonomy and quality of daily living for frail older adults and those living with dementia.
  2. Describe a framework that can be used to delve more deeply into complex decision-making within the context of person-centered care.
  3. Apply a framework for complex decision-making to real-life case scenarios to explore how to manage risk in situations where concerns for an older person's safety confront their autonomy and quality of life.
View Dr. Harvath's Profile
Conference Speakers
Dr. Clifford Singer MD DFAPA AGSF
View Bio
Dr. Terri Harvath PhD RN FAAN FGSA
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Gabriela Sanchez JD
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Nancy Morgan RN BSN MBA WOC
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Gretchen Koch MS RN
View Bio
Cynthia McDaniel MSN RN
View Bio