Check Out What is Going On at GIN
GIN hosts a spring and fall conference every year providing relevant information on topics important to those caring for our older population. In addition to hearing from professional presenters on topics not being taught elsewhere, attendees are able to share common concerns and learn about new services and programs.
Often, contacts made at GIN events develop into valuable resources. As our older generations continue to increase in population and needs, the significance of the education and networking made possible by GIN also grows.
Check out our calendar for more information on GIN events found at the bottom of this page. You can also email us at [email protected] or go to our Contact page to send a message.
What You Missed: Fall 2019 Caregivers’ Conference
Friday, October 4, 2019
Thank you, Caregivers, for attending the FALL Caregiver Conference. It was wonderful to see you all. We saw many new faces today with a record number of participants.
We had wonderful guest speakers for the day who included the following:
Victoria Deavor Cooper, Master Reflexologist and Owner/Operator of Little Rock Natural Remedies located in Roaring Spring. Victoria spoke about how reflexology can assist with wellness. She gave a good description of how reflex points of the feet can impact different areas of the body. She also presented topics of natural health and wellness from a traditional naturopathic standpoint. The audience had so many answered questions.
Tracey Roth presented and explained Mindfulness and gave mindfulness exercises of how the body can become calmer with mindfulness and deep breathing. Then, Tracey started the music, and all were UP ON THEIR FEET doing Gentle Movement. All had a great time before lunch doing stretches and rockin’ to the music!
Elisa Miller, Bedford Acupuncture, presented Acupuncture. Elisa provided information on Acupuncture and brought needles for us all to view. She did a demonstration session on Deb Pecka. This was for relaxation and calming. Deb said that she felt the calming immediately.
GIN would like to extend its thanks to all of the day’s sponsors
- Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Altoona
- Blair Senior Services
- Little Rock Natural Remedies
- From the Heart-Penn State
A special thank you to Encompass and staff at Encompass for the wonderful accommodations, breakfast and lunch. The evaluations from the caregivers have ALWAYS been a 5* rating.
Please join us for the 2020 schedule: Friday, October 2, 2020. We will continue to provide guest speakers who will not only give assistance to and for the caregivers but also will assist the caregivers for ways to take care of self.
What You Missed: Spring 2019 Caregivers’ Conference
On June 21, 2019, the Geriatric Interest Network held its annual spring Caregiver’s Conference at Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Altoona. Amy Orr Rosensteel, Esq. from Evey, Black Attorneys, LLC. spoke about Estate Planning, Wills, Living Wills and POA (Power of Attorney). The audience was able to receive much needed answers to their valued questions. Following the discussion Tai Chi was presented by Amy Williamson and Scott Moyer of Blair Senior Services, Area Agency on Aging. The participants were out of their seats for an introductory Tai Chi warm-up session. A delicious vegetable luncheon was prepared by Encompass Health. Following lunch, Lisa Moyer, Long Term Living Program Supervisor and Sherry Pfister, CHOICES Program Care Manager of Blair Senior Services provided the audience with information of all services provided by the Area Agency on Aging.
We would like to send our sincere thanks to the following:
Encompass Health Rehab Hospital for sponsoring the semi-annual conference and providing a continental breakfast, beverage station and a delicious lunch.
Amy Orr Rosensteel, Esq. and Blair Senior Services as presenters.
Program Sponsors:
- Merry Maids/Service Master
3431 Colonial Dr.
Duncansville, PA 16635
Phone Number (814) 201-6280 - University Orthopedics Center
101 Regent Court
State College, PA 16801
Phone: (814) 231-2101
Altoona Office – University Orthopedics Center
3000 Fairway Drive
Altoona, PA 16602
Phone: (814) 942-1166
Fax: (814) 942‐6222
Gift Basket Donations – Thank you to all who have so generously donated baskets that were raffled off at the end of the conference.
Thank you to all who participated!
What You Missed: Spring 2017 Caregivers’ Conference
Shawn Cunningham BDAP Prevention Specialist, spoke on what you need to know about dangerous drugs.
The 2017 Spring Caregivers Conference was held at HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Altoona on Friday, June 2. The topic was, “Dangerous Drugs and what you need to know”.
Shawn Cunningham, BDAP Prevention Specialist, discussed prescription drug storage/overview. He stressed the importance of discussing with your physician dietary supplements as well as over the counter drugs you take. He reminded all, ” When in doubt, write it out!” Write it down and take notes. He had different locked prescription boxes available for all caregivers. Reminded all to remove the cotton ball from the medication bottles as it pulls moisture into the bottle which can affect your medication. Heat, light, air, and moisture can all damage your drugs. Also, if you are unable to make it to a drop off box, place your meds in with kitty litter in a paper bag and dispose of. Do not flush down the toilet.
Peter Kreckel discussed poly-drugs, poly-problems, and polypharmacy. Peter is RPH from local Thompson’s Pharmacy. Reasons behind why physicians are ordering many medications are must haves like a Type II Diabetic must be placed on Metformin, Statin like Lipitor and Zocor, Aspirin, and an Ace Inhibitor such as Lisinopril.
Judy Rosser BDAP Executive Director spoke on overdose prevention.
Judy Rosser, BDAP Executive Director spoke of overdose prevention. She reviewed the “Perfect Storm” of the overdose epidemic from the 1960s till present. OxyContin hit the market in 1999 which sky rocketed our opioid epidemic. We are only one of two countries that can market medications on TV. She also reviewed China developing synthetic goods that are being sent to Mexico which has increased death rates.
Lunch was courtesy of HealthSouth and the program was sponsored also by Grane Hospice.
Many thanks to the following agencies who donated door prizes for the Caregivers Conference: Blair Senior Services, UPMC Altoona, Amber Terrace, Grane Hospice and Homecare, First Natl Trust, and Allegheny Lutheran Social Ministries.
Dr. Cathy Spayd giving a presentation at the Fall Conference.
Peter Kreckel participating at the Fall Conference.
What You Missed: 2016 Fall Caregivers’ Conference
On Friday, October 21, 2016 the Geriatric Interest Network of Blair County held a Caregiver Conference at HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital. Our topic was #Ds: Dementia, Delirium and Depression. Our first speaker was Dr. Catherine Spayd, licensed Psychologist, who reviewed the symptoms of Depression and the Geriatric Depression Scale. She also reviewed the treatments for Depression to include Psychotherapy, meds, talk therapy and exercise. Dr. Antonowicz, Psychiatrist reviewed Dementias and treatments. He went into detail of the risk factors, diagnostic markers, clinical course as well as treatments of Alzheimers Disease. He also shared knowledge of Lewy Bodies and Vascular Neurocognitive Disorders. Medications for these Neurocognitive Disorders were also discussed. Peter Kreckel, pharmacist, reviewed meds such as Aricept, Exelon, Razadyne, and Namenda. He also discussed “anticholinergic drugs” and their usage, their side effects and best treatment options. He reviewed med treatment choices for Parkinson’s dementia. Many in the audience had questions concerning over the counter drugs as well as natural products. We had beautiful basket give a ways. Two vendors from Senior Life and Care Fill by Walberg Family Pharmacies were also present. Each vendor gave a briefing of their services and were available all day for questions and answers.
Brenna Hamming, Suzanne Furman and Dr. Cathy Spayd prepare for the start of the Care Givers’ Conference.
What You Missed: 2016 Spring Caregivers’ Conference
The June 3rd Caregivers’ Conference on Pulmonary Issues and Sleep Disorders, hosted by HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital (2005 Valley View Blvd., Altoona, PA 16602), proved to be a day of good information and good fellowship. Suzanne Furman – Registered Nurse from the UPMC Altoona Institute for Sleep Medicine – spoke on a variety of diseases that may affect sleep, including sleep apnea, and provided information on the treatment processes that can be used to help people gain better sleep when living with their diseases. Brenna Hamming – Medical Social Worker for OMNI Home Health and Allegheny Lutheran Social Ministries – spoke next on how caregivers can take better care of themselves and their loved ones by getting more sleep and engaging in good self-care. Dr. Cathy Spayd – Licensed Pyschologist in local private practice – lastly spoke on the processes of sleep and how good sleep hygiene practices can promote not just better sleep, but increased overall wellness. The day concluded with a short panel discussion, with the speakers answering questions from the caregiver audience on a variety of subjects related to sleep and caregiving. Throughout the day, gift baskets courtesy of our GIN sponsors were given away in drawings as a thank you to the caregivers for all of their hard work. Most importantly, the caregivers in attendance had a chance to meet, talk, and support one another as they learned more about how provide care for their loved ones and themselves.
