Plenary speaker Ken Dychtwald, Ph.D., renowned author and expert on aging, will provide a forecast on how care professionals will best be able to serve our population as it grows older. Dr. Dychtwald is a psychologist, gerontologist and author of 14 books on aging-related issues. He is also founder, president and CEO of Age Wave, which provides businesses with recommendations on how to tailor products and services to our aging population.

Conference speakers

Jeanette Takamura, Ph.D., who served as assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under former President Clinton, will address the implications that evolving dementia science and treatments have on care practitioners and the booming dementia care industry.

Laura Mosqueda, M.D., co-director of the nation's first Elder Abuse Forensic Center, will offer insight into elder abuse as it pertains specifically to individuals with Alzheimer's.

Debra Saliba, M.D., will focus on the research that shaped the new minimum data set for clinical assessment of nursing home residents, providing need-to-know information for anyone working in dementia care – especially those in residential care settings.

Ed McMahon, Ph.D., and David Troxel, M.P.H., will discuss the implications of culture change in dementia care; how to run an effective, successful dementia care organization using the philosophy of the culture change movement; and how to build dementia care leaders.

Carl Cotman, Ph.D., director of the University of California-Irvine Institute of Brain Aging and Dementia, will discuss emerging scientific and medical trends in the diagnosis and treatment of dementia including the latest understanding around behavioral strategies, such as exercise and cognitive training.

Lisa Snyder, L.C.S.W., of the University of California San Diego Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, and colleagues, will report research findings on five innovative community programs for persons experiencing symptoms of the early to moderate stages of Alzheimer's disease.

Nina Silverstein, Ph.D., professor of gerontology at the University of Massachusetts – Boston, along with a panel of experts, will take a studied look at driving and dementia, unraveling the multi-faceted personal and systemic considerations that must be addressed to ensure the safety and dignity of everyone.