General sessions & dementia track will be streamed virtually. *Changes in schedule may occur.
9 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Registration, Resource booths and Breakfast
10 a.m. - 10:10 a.m.
Main Auditorium & Virtual
Welcome
Presented by Geri Lehnardt & Linda Cole MAG Aging & Family Services
10:10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Main Auditorium & Virtual
Unlocking the Light Within
Presented by Dr. Craig Manning, Ph.D.
11 a.m. - 11:10 a.m.
Main Auditorium & Virtual
Breathwork
Presented by Katie Blanch, Lynden Legacy Foundation
Discover different ways to use breath to calm your nervous system within minutes. Breathing decreases stress, brings immediate calming feelings, and increases feel-good hormones.
11:10 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Break & visit booths
11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Dementia Track
Main Auditorium & Virtual
Designing Your Dementia Caregiving Journey: Communicating the Challenges and Opportunities
Presented by Dr. Shariq Sherwani, Utah Tech University, introduced by Raven Albretson, Alzheimer's Association
Caregivers will learn recent advances in dementia research, challenges and opportunities associated with caregiving, practical skills to reduce stressors and burnout, empowerment, connection to a supportive community, and resources available to improve the quality of care and selfcare. This session will acknowledge that while caregiving can be a challenging and an isolating experience, it can also be an uplifting, rewarding, meaningful, and purposeful one.
General Caregiving Track
Breakout Room - In-person Only
Empowering Caregivers with Support & Resources
Presented Nancy Madsen, Gerontologist
Self-Care Track
Breakout Room - In-person Only
Caregiver Voices: Sharing My Story of Impact
Presented by Klea Harris, Angel Advocates, LLC & Karen Hill, featuring Carly Bennett Stenmark
Playroom
Breakout Room - In-person Only
Zen Den
Hosted by Emily Christensen, Jewish Family Services
12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Lunch & Caregiver Recognition Award
Harp music by Brittany Snedecor
1:30 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.
Dementia Track
Main Auditorium & Virtual
In this uplifting session, we’ll clarify the major types of dementia before exploring why a loved one may not fit inside a single diagnostic “box." We'll outline how unique behaviors can challenge our personal understanding of dementia and how to prioritize the dignity of the person we love and our own well-being over the label.
General Caregiving Track
Breakout Room - In-person Only
Senior Care Journey: Guiding Families from Beginning to End
Presented by Monica Boyer, MAG Aging & Family Services and Lynette Evans, Senior Transition Partners
Caring for an aging loved one is a sacred responsibility—and a complex one. This presentation is designed to support family caregivers through each phase of the senior care journey. From noticing the early signs that more help may be needed, to exploring assisted living or memory care options, understanding costs, and navigating emotional transitions, you’ll gain clear guidance and real-world tools to make confident, compassionate choices. Whether you're just beginning or already deep in the process, you'll leave feeling more equipped, less overwhelmed, and reminded that you’re not alone in this journey.
Self-Care Track
Breakout Room - In-person Only
Caregiver Voices: Sharing My Story of Impact
Presented by Klea Harris, Angel Advocates, LLC & Karen Hill, featuring Carly Bennett Stenmark
A guided workshop where caregivers reflect on and share the personal decisions that have shaped their journey, offering insight and support for others in similar roles.
Play Room
Breakout Room - In-person Only
Zen Den
Presented by Emily Christensen, Jewish Family Services
2:15 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Break & visit booths
2:30 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Main Auditorium & Virtual
How to Be the Caregivers We Want to Be
Presented by Dr. Beth Fauth, Ph.D., Utah State University
We all know what we should be doing for ourselves, and the people we love. So why do we find ourselves struggling to so all these "shoulds"? This presentation will teach hands on skills to help caregivers focus on incorporating the things that really matter to them into their everyday lives.
3:15 p.m.
Main Auditorium & Virtual
Conference Wrap Up
Presented by Geri Lehnardt
Conference wrap up and door prizes. Must be present to win.
Karen was a CNA for 15 years, specializing in hospice and dementia care, and a family caregiver for four years. Karen has worked with MAG for five years in Information & Referral and the Caregiver Support program
Gary Piner is a retired entrepreneur and Vietnam Vet in the Marines. He was married to his wife Charlee for 52 years, while she had a successful career as a hospice nurse and he spent his entire adult life teaching and lecturing about the business of dentistry. In 2015, Charlee was diagnosed with Lewy Body dementia, and he continued to diligently care for her until she passed away in 2020. Together, he and Charlee raised 5 wonderful children, two of which were adopted with special needs.
While the years caring for his wife were some of the most difficult years of my life, he is trying to be the unobtrusive champion, making one day better than the last.
Alzheimer's is not normal aging. It's a disease of the brain that causes problems with memory, and thinking behavior. Join us to learn about the impact of Alzheimer's, the difference between Alzheimer's and dementia, disease stages and risk factors. Current research and treatments to address some symptoms, and Alzheimer's Association resources.
Presented by Dr Brian Hill.