Fireside Chats

Our Fireside Chats are designed for family caregivers, and based on Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias (ADRD), age-friendly health systems and dementia-friendly communities topics. The Fireside Chats are held on the first Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. MT. To join this presentation, click HERE.

These chats are open to the community and are offered virtually via the vide-conferencing platform, Zoom. Check out the Events Calendar for information about our next Fireside Chat; ZOOM link also available on the calendar. For help with Zoom videoconferencing click HERE.      

Below are links to the recordings of past Fireside Chats: 

9-7-23 - Marianne Christensen, CHES, Healthy Aging: What it Looks Like and Community Resources That Help
Download a pdf of the slides HERE. Links to community resources can be found on page 16 in the slides.

8-3-23 - Shawn Steidinger, MLS, AHIP & Elizabeth Frakes, MSIS, Fact-Checking Online Health Information: Tips from the Experts
Additional Resources:
Medline Plus - A trusted source of consumer health information
Heart.org - Information on heart disease and ways to prevent disease. From the American Heart Association
Diabetes.org - Information on diabetes and ways to prevent, manage, and treat the disease. From the American Diabetes Association
Familydoctor.org - General health information for families. Produced by the American Academy of Family Physicians
Healthfinder.gov - General health information. Produced by the US Department of Health and Human Services.
CDC - Health information for all ages. From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

7-6-23 - Kait Halibozek and Brittany Mascio - The Importance of Self Care for DementiaCaregivers: A Virtual Educational Program

6-1-23 - Rob Ence - The Utah Commision on Aging & Developing the State Master Plan on Aging

5-4-23 - Jeremy Holloway - Interventions to Address Isolation and Loneliness in Older Adults 

4-6-23 - Manuel Acevedo - The Village Movement: Age-Friendly Environments

3-2-23 - Alianne Sipes - Elder Abuse, Resident's Rights, and the Ombudsman Program
Download a pdf of the slides HERE.

2-2-23 - Rosemary Quartrale - Top Three Tips for Dementia Caregivers

1-5-23 - Kelly Boehmer - Hearing Loss: Tips and Tricks for Effective Communication

12-1-22 - Amy Powell-Versteeg, PTA, The Benefit of Exercise for Persons with Parkinson's Disease and Dementia 
L.S Skaggs Patient Wellness Center
Balance and Mobility Clinic
Melanie Salazar (Office Manager)
801-587-9161

11-3-22 - Emily Christensen, MS, MT-BC, Music Therapeutic Caregiving: A Music-Based Intervention for Professional and Family Caregivers Serving Persons with Dementia Who are Resistant to Care
Download Emily Christensen's Music Therapeutic Caregiving Handout HERE.
Download Linda A. Gerdner, PhD, RN, FAAN, Individualized Music Quick Reference Guide HERE.

10-6-22 - Sarah Scott, MS, MBA - Horticulture Therapy and the Neighborhood House Intergenerational Program

9-1-22 - Troy Andersen, PhD, MSW, MS, LCSW - Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias Caregiver Grief

8-4-22 - Janeil Esplin, VSO, SSW - Unraveling the Veterans Benefits Mystery
Download slides HERE.

7-7-22 - Bonnie Shepherd, BS, Former Caregiver and Dementia Advocate and Educator - The Four Dementias: Different Causes, Different Symptoms
Download slides HERE.

6-2-2 - Sonia Salari, PhD, FGSA - Severe Family Violence and the Older Victim: Prevention and Response
Download Sonia Salari's slides HERE.

5-5-22 - Kathy Nelson, BS - The Distance Dilemma: Providing Care to Loved Ones from Another State or Location
Download Kathy Nelson's slides HERE.

4-7-22 - Kate Nederostek, MGS, CDP - Caregiver Support: National Focus, Local Implementation
Download Kate Nederostek's slides HERE.

3-3-22 - Kristy Russell, CHES - Dementia in Utah: Supporting Statewide Efforts with One Plan
Download Kristy Russel's slides HERE.

2-3-22 - Emogene Hennick-Dunn, PhD, MSW, LCSW - A Grief that Can't Be Spoken: Embarking on Truth-Seeking Journey's in Coping with Uncertainty
Download Dr. Emogene Hennick-Dunn's slide HERE.
Additional Resources:
What is EMDR?

1-6-22 - Geri Lehnardt, SSW - Assessment Techniques: Skills & Tips to Work with Older Adults and Their Caregivers
Download Geri Lehnardt's slides HERE.
Additional Resources:
What is Validation by Naomi Feil
How to Approach and Assess Older Adults with Dementia by Teepa Snow

12-2-21 - LuAnn Lundquist, BS, TRT - Creating a Community-Based Activity Group for Seniors with Dementia
Download LuAnn Lundquist's slides HERE.

11-4-2021 - Sarah Jane Obray, MS - Let's Have Some Fun: Dementia Caregiver Kits
Download Sarah Jane Obray's slides HERE.

10-7-2021 - A. Enrique Varela, DDS - The Mouth: The Sixth “M” of Geriatric Care
Download Dr. Varela's slides HERE

9-2-2021 - Linda Cole, LCSW - The Importance of Staying Connected in Challenging Times

1. From Comagine Health:  Innovative Activities: Preserving Functional Ability During the COVID-19 Crisis.
2. From the Institute for Patient and Family Centered Care: https://www.ipfcc.org/bestpractices/covid-19/IPFCC_Family_Presence.pdf
3. From the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-Assessment-Instruments/MMS/Downloads/Person-and-Family-Engagemen.pdf

7/16/20- Rosemary Quatrale presenting on "Creative Interventions to Reduce Social Isolation for People with Dementia and their Caregivers"                                                                                                              Download slides HERE

7/2/20- Dr. Corinna Tanner presenting on "Tips & Tricks for Optimizing Vision"
Download slides HERE

6/25/20- Melissa Batchelor, PhD presenting on "How to Stay Healthy Long-Term during COVID-19"
Download slides HERE

6/4/20- Jackie Eaton, PhD presenting on "Arts-Based Activities for Persons with Dementia"
Download slides HERE

5/21/20- Dr. Jim Ballard presenting on "Simple Exercises You Can Do in the Home"
Download slides HERE   
Find Online Exercise Examples HERE