Tuesday, May 5, 2026 – Day 1

Lance A. Slatton widely known as “The Senior Care Influencer” will speak on “The Unexpected Caregiver,” a deeply personal topic that traces his journey from aspiring future medical student to full-time caregiver. What was initially expected to be a short-term commitment—caring for his father for just a few weeks—quickly evolved into a nearly three-year experience. During this time, Slatton faced the emotional, physical, and logistical challenges that many caregivers encounter without preparation, fundamentally reshaping both his personal and professional path.

This life-changing experience ultimately inspired him to enter the home care field, leading to the creation of his own home care company and later the widely recognized podcast and YouTube show All Home Care Matters. Through his talk, Slatton highlights the realities of becoming an unexpected caregiver, the lessons he learned along the way, and how those challenges fueled his mission to educate, support, and advocate for caregivers everywhere.

10:00 to 11:00 am EST: Cheryl Paul
Topic: Communication:  More than just talk

Cheryl will talk about how to facilitate communication among family and friends when aphasia is involved. She will also share information about some tools and techniques that might come in handy for daily communication during specific situations.

11:00 to 12:00 pm EST: Darlene Fros RMT MPA and Kevin Duguay 
Topic: Living your best life~Optimizing Human Potential for the Caregiver and the Client
Superpatch is an every day wearable neurotech patch that is 100% drug-free and recommended by 1000’s of doctors worldwide including sports medicine practitioners, physiotherapists, chiropractors, naturopaths, massage therapists and osteopaths. We look forward to sharing how this technology cna help you be the best version of yourself and the role you play in the lives of those you touch

12:00 to 12:20 EST: AE Corner – Adaptive Equipment
Each day they will show one of their pieces of equipment

1:00 to 2:00 pm EST: Miranda Sommers
Topic: How Specialized Home Care Can Improve Your Quality of Life

Discussing ways specialized home care can benefit the person receiving care and significantly improve the caregiver’s quality of life in meaningful, practical ways.

2:00 to 3:00 pm EST: Carla Armstrong
Topic: Compassionate Hospice Care: Supporting Patients and Caregivers

Our presentation provides an overview of Gulfside Hospice, a nonprofit organization serving the Tampa Bay area since 1989 with healthcare services for individuals facing serious or end-of-life illness. Gulfside currently supports approximately 775 hospice patients daily, delivering care across Pasco, Hillsborough, and Pinellas counties through 11 locations and in patients’ homes, nursing facilities, hospitals, and hospice care centers. The organization provides comprehensive interdisciplinary support, including pain and symptom management, medications, medical equipment, emotional and spiritual care, and caregiver education, to patients with a life expectancy of six months or less.

Gulfside relies on $2–3 million in annual donations to sustain services and ensure that no patient is turned away due to inability to pay. The presentation also highlights innovative programs such as We Salute Veterans, Pet Peace of Mind, caregiver support services, family bereavement counseling, and the Gulfside Nursing Academy, along with opportunities for community involvement through volunteering, thrift shop donations, and fundraising events that support compassionate end-of-life care in the community

Wednesday, May 6, 2026 – Day 2

Medicaid Made Simple will break down the complexities of Medicaid into clear, easy-to-understand concepts. You will learn how eligibility works, how to protect assets, and the key steps involved in planning for long-term care—without the confusion. It’s an approachable, informative session designed to help families make confident, informed decisions.

10:00 to 11:00 am EST: Heather Roush
Topic: You Don’t Have to Do This Alone: Building a Stronger Safety Net in Caregiving

Caregiving often starts with love, but it can quickly become overwhelming without the right support in place. This session is designed to help caregivers step back, reflect, and identify where they may need additional help.

We’ll explore how to build a reliable “safety net” of support, recognize early signs of burnout, and make thoughtful, informed decisions about bringing in outside care. Through guided self-reflection tools and real-life scenarios, attendees will walk away with greater clarity, confidence, and a plan that supports both their loved one and themselves.

11:00 to 12:00 am EST: Lori K Yauch
Topic: Let’s Get Engaged: How to Find Connection Through Reminiscence
Having trouble connecting with your care receiver or family member?

Looking for innovative activities that promote more meaningful interactions?

Join Lori Yauch, MA, CCC-SLP, to learn how to use reminiscence to improve communication and engagement, fostering deeper connections with those you love while having fun along the way..

12:00 to 12:20 EST: AE Corner – Adaptive Equipment
Each day they will show one of their pieces of equipment

1:00 to 2:00 pm EST: Mary Jo Belmont
Topic: Our Dementia Journey and Beyond

Mary Jo will discuss some of the caregiving tips she learned taking care of her husband with Lewy body dementia, vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s dementia. She will discuss how her faith in God helped her through this journey and beyond.

2:00 to 3:00 pm EST: Terri Chaplin
Topic: The Grief No One Names: Holding On and Letting Go as a Caregiver

Grief doesn’t wait for a funeral. For family caregivers, loss often begins long before, in the slow changes, the hard days, and the quiet moments of mourning what used to be. This warm, honest conversation explores anticipatory grief: what it is, why it’s so rarely talked about, and how to hold it with compassion. Whether you’re caring for a parent with dementia, a spouse with a serious illness, or someone you love who is changing before your eyes, you’ll leave feeling seen, understood, and a little less alone.

Thursday, May 7, 2026 – Day 3

9:00 to 10:00 am EST: Mickie Hopkins – AccentCare Hospice Care Consultant
Topic: Hospice Myths: What you need to know

This presentation explores the truth behind common hospice misconceptions while providing essential information every family should understand. We’ll break down what hospice care really is, who qualifies and how it supports both patients and their loved ones. It’s important to understand your options ahead of time so you can make informed, confident decisions when it matters most.

10:00 to 11:00 am EST: Donna Ceasare, MBA, CDP
Topic: When it is time for Memory care

We will discuss what to look for and when it is time to start putting a plan in place.

Making a transition for who your loved one is a difficult decision. Many have questions on when it is time. In this session I hope to assist you in understanding what to look for.

11:00 to 12:00 pm EST: Jenn Fredericks
Topic: Why Caregiving Is So Draining (and Why Rest Doesn’t Always Help)

Caregiving can feel exhausting in ways that don’t always make sense, especially when even moments of rest don’t seem to help. This session offers a different way of understanding why.

Caregiving doesn’t just take your time. It keeps your mind and body engaged in ways that are hard to fully step away from. Even when you pause, part of you is still tracking, anticipating, and holding responsibility.

Over time, this creates an ongoing drain that affects your energy physically, mentally, emotionally, and in your sense of self.

In this session, you’ll learn how to recognize where your energy is being pulled the most and how to begin restoring it in simple, realistic ways that work within your everyday life.

12:00 to 12:20 EST: AE Corner – Adaptive Equipment
Each day they will show one of their pieces of equipment

1:00 to 2:00 pm EST: Jeanette Yates
Topic: AI and Care Tech for Caregivers: How to Choose Tools You Can Actually Trust

• Understand what care tech includes (and what matters most)
• Choose tools that fit your situation without getting overwhelmed
• Leave with a simple next steps