Age Positive Conference

Description

According to the CDC, every eight seconds, someone 65 years or older falls and visits the emergency room due to an injury. At the same time, and as demonstrated by dozens of published peer-reviewed research, the positive impact of physical activity on chronic medical conditions is undisputed. 
Increasing physical activity and reducing fall risk in older adults is desperately needed in healthcare today as falls and hip fractures continue to rise rapidly. However, the aging population and limited clinic time with patients is a factor.  
Addressing the need for older adults — the Medicare population — to receive nontraditional health care resources will enable them to lead healthier and safer lives.  Assisted living communities, health care organizations and home care organizations can learn from and incorporate the ideas shared in this session.
This session will explore practical, age-friendly, person-centered methods to enhance quality of life while improving health outcomes.

Presenter

• Pete Fronte, Founder and CEO, Altura
  Pete Fronte, M.B.A., is the founder and CEO of Altura and has over 30 years of leadership within the accountable and value-based care settings that include various types of risk arrangements. Fronte’s expertise includes supporting healthcare organizations with building relevant and meaningful prevention programs for older adults that improve health outcomes and quality measures while maintaining or reducing costs. He blends an understanding of the use of technology with older adults along with behavioral science implications to help address motivation and adherence. His expertise supports older adults with active aging, reducing isolation and fall prevention.

Despite experience, driving safely is not always guaranteed — most drivers outlive their safe driving skills by 7–10 years (AAA). Safe driving is skills-based, not age-based; older age alone does not determine driving ability. Driving skills can decline gradually, vary widely among individuals, and are influenced by health, medications, cognition and physical function. This session introduces comprehensive driving evaluations, a service that goes beyond DMV road tests or rehabilitation simulators to assess vision, cognition, motor skills, medications and real-world driving performance. Participants will learn how evaluations identify subtle risks before crashes occur, provide objective guidance for families and healthcare providers, and support safe driving or planned retirement. The session highlights Limitless Driving Solutions’ client-centered approach, including in-home on-road assessments, individualized adaptive strategies and hands-on guidance for driving retirement. Attendees will gain practical insights into evaluations and how cross-sector professionals can help older adults make safe, informed decisions. Safe driving isn’t assumed — it’s assessed.

Presenter

• Kristen Lienhop, Founder/Owner, Driving Rehabilitation Specialist, Limitless Living Solutions
  Kristen Lienhop is an Occupational Therapist and Driving Rehabilitation Specialist with 28 years of experience supporting older adults to age safely and confidently at home and in their communities. She is the founder of Limitless Living Solutions, providing personalized, in-home occupational therapy focused on aging-in-place assessments, fall prevention, home safety and comprehensive driving evaluations. An entrepreneurial leader and community educator, Kristen partners with local organizations to deliver evidence-based safety and mobility programs. She is one of only two providers in the Kansas City metro offering on-road driving evaluations in clients’ familiar driving environments.

Description
Caregivers, especially those in the sandwich generation, are often told to “just push through” and follow outdated, one‑size‑fits‑all protocols. This workshop hands them a permission slip: explicit, agency‑backed authorization to rewrite the rules, prioritize self‑care and lean on community support. Attendees will learn how agencies can dismantle the old playbook and replace it with a flexible, four‑generation framework that recognizes young adults, mid‑life sandwich caregivers, seasoned staff and senior volunteers as equal partners. Using hospitality‑inspired tools (flex‑block scheduling, cross‑generational mentorship circles, personalized welcome kits and a shared digital hub), participants will co‑create a “Permission‑Slip Policy” that empowers caregivers to set boundaries, request respite and collaborate openly. By the end, each attendee will have a concrete, adaptable policy template and actionable steps to launch a culture of mutual care in their own organizations.

Presenter

• Brittani Wheeler Rhoades, Lifestyles Director, Meadowbrook Senior Living
  Brittani Wheeler Rhoades (she/they) is the Lifestyles Director at Meadowbrook Senior Living, where they craft engaging programs for residents aged 60‑100 and their families. With ~20 years in culinary, hospitality and nonprofit leadership, they manage a multigenerational staff spanning from youthful interns to senior workers. Brittani also coordinates volunteers for a nonprofit that shelters unhoused people during extreme weather. Balancing chronic health issues, raising two neurodiverse daughters, supporting a spouse’s doctoral research and caring for special‑needs family members, they champion nurturing, resilient communities that honor each individual’s journey.

Description
End-of-life planning is about far more than medical decisions. It is an opportunity to reflect on values, strengthen relationships and approach the later chapters of life with intention rather than fear. This session offers a holistic overview of end-of-life planning, grounded in the questions people often avoid but deeply care about: What does a “good death” mean to me? What matters most if my health changes? How do care choices align with my values? Participants will explore why talking about death is a gift of clarity, how curative, palliative and hospice care fit into the broader journey of illness, and the key medical, practical, emotional and relational decisions that shape end-of-life experiences. The session emphasizes planning as empowerment, helping attendees feel more connected, informed and prepared to live fully now while planning for later.

Presenter

• Kathy Benich, End-of-Life Doula and Educator, Marigold Path
  Kathy Benich is the founder of Marigold Path, where she provides end-of-life doula support, grief and loss coaching, and death literacy education. Drawing from her personal experiences as a caregiver to her late husband and mother, Kathy helps individuals and families navigate complex healthcare decisions with clarity and compassion. She facilitates community workshops focused on advance care planning, legacy and end-of-life preparation, with a particular emphasis on accessible, low-cost resources. Kathy is committed to helping people feel informed, supported and connected when planning for the later chapters of life.

Description
Caregivers are the backbone of aging communities, yet many navigate complex healthcare systems, emotional strain and practical challenges in isolation. This presentation explores how Rings of Care is creating programming highlighting Community Health Workers (CHWs) and mentorship models to transform caregiver journeys through the power of connection. By serving as trusted guides, CHWs help caregivers access resources, build sustainable support networks, advocate within medical systems and prioritize self-care, shifting support from crisis response to proactive, relationship-centered care. Attendees will learn how community-based approaches reduce caregiver burnout, strengthen resilience and create more age-friendly environments where both caregivers and care recipients can thrive. Through real-world examples and practical insights, this session highlights how building intentional networks of support can bridge gaps left by traditional systems and foster compassionate, connected communities. Participants will leave with actionable ideas for integrating relational, community-driven strategies into their own aging or caregiving initiatives.

Presenters

• Niki Staab, Executive Director, Rings of Care
  Niki Staab is a compassionate and dedicated individual with extensive experience in end-of-life care and support. As an End-of-Life Doula, NODA (No One Dies Alone) coordinator, hospice volunteer and executive director, Staab has demonstrated her commitment to providing comfort, guidance and advocacy to individuals and families navigating the challenging journey of caregiving.
  As the Board Executive Director and Founder of Rings of Care KC, Staab brings her leadership skills and strategic vision to make a meaningful impact on those facing life’s transitions. She actively collaborates with the board members, to make sure the mission is upheld and delivered with compassion.
• Rachel Blankenship, President, Rings of Care
  Rachel Blankenship is a highly experienced professional with a diverse background in law, mediation and bioethics. With a career spanning over 16 years in Family Law, Blankenship transitioned into the field of mediation in 2019 and has since become a court-approved mediator in both Missouri and Kansas.
  Blankenship’s expertise has been recognized by the Kansas Supreme Court, and she has been accepted into the Missouri Bar pursuant to Rule 17. Her extensive training in bioethics has equipped her with specialized knowledge in providing advanced care planning services.

Description
Discover how the Power of Connection can supercharge brain health — and energize the lives of older adults across our region. Building Brain‑Healthy Habits reveals how simple daily actions, combined with strong social ties, can protect our memory, boost mood and lower the risk of cognitive decline. You won’t just hear about how to take positive steps toward healthy living — you’ll try some interactive, connection‑boosting activities that make learning fun, practical and instantly usable. By staying connected with friends, community and purposeful activities, we amplify every health decision we make. When we learn how to be healthy together and support each other, healthy choices become easier, more enjoyable and far more impactful. Join us to experience how meaningful interactions and research‑backed brain-healthy habits can help us feel stronger, think clearer and stay connected. Let’s build healthier brains — and a more connected community — together!

Presenter

• Valerie Johnson, Program Manager, Alzheimer’s Association – Heart of America Chapter
  Valerie Blanco Johnson, M.S., worked as a researcher and educator at the university level in dental public health and developed continuing education programs for allied health professionals while advocating for access to care for those living with cognitive impairment. She served as a senior advisor supporting family caregivers through education while assisting with resources and services. She was a long-time volunteer for the Alzheimer’s Association prior to becoming a staff member. Valerie is excited to promote a public health approach toward reducing the risk for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

Description
Purpose should be treated as a vital sign because it directly influences health, recovery and quality of life. Drawing on 17 years as an occupational therapist, I share bedside moments where families face the reality of returning home after illness or injury and explain how the patients who recover best are often those with something meaningful to live for. I illustrate this through the story of a woman who regained strength by reframing therapy as “Sunday Dinner Training,” showing how connecting care to what brings value and joy can motivate lasting change. Research supports this idea, linking a strong sense of purpose to lower mortality risk, reduced disability, and better mental and physical health. Rather than viewing purpose as a lifelong calling, the talk reframes it as practical fuel for everyday life. This session includes both guided reflection and live dialogue to make the experience interactive and grounded in real life.

Presenter

• Brandy Archie, Founder/CEO, AskSAMIE, Inc.
  Brandy Archie, OTD, OTR/L, CLIPP is an occupational therapist and founder of AskSAMIE, a digital platform designed to make daily living safer, easier and more affordable for older adults and people with disabilities. With over 17 years of experience in home health and elder-focused care, Dr. Archie built AskSAMIE to bridge the gap between clinical guidance and real-world solutions by combining AI-powered recommendations, adaptive equipment and virtual OT support. Her work is grounded in the belief that accessibility should be a right instead of a privilege.
   

Description
In November 2024, Jackson County voters approved the creation of the Jackson County Senior Services Fund, establishing a dedicated, voter-mandated revenue source to support services for older adults. Following voter approval, a newly formed independent board is responsible for building the fund’s infrastructure, setting grant-making priorities, and ensuring transparency and accountability in how dollars are invested across the aging-services continuum.
This session will provide an update on progress to date, including board formation, early governance decisions, and the framework being developed to guide future grantmaking. Presenters will discuss how community input, data and regional best practices are shaping funding priorities, as well as key considerations for agencies interested in future funding opportunities. Designed for aging-services providers, advocates and fund administrators, this session offers a practical look at what it takes to move from a successful ballot initiative to a sustainable, community-driven funding model.

Presenter

• Laura Loyacono, Consultant, Jackson County Senior Levy Board
  Laura Loyacono is a Kansas City–based public policy consultant and principal of L3 Policy Solutions. She supported the Jackson County Seniors Count Coalition, which helped elevate senior services as a community priority and bring the issue to the ballot. Loyacono served as campaign manager for the successful 2024 Jackson County Senior Services Fund initiative and currently works as a consultant to the newly formed Senior Services Fund Board, supporting early implementation, governance and grant-making strategy. Her background includes extensive experience in public policy, philanthropy and grant-making, with a focus on building sustainable, community-driven funding models.

Description
This session will cover how to sign up for and use the Senior and Homebound Readers program at the Mid-Continent Public Library, the requirements for membership and expectations for ordering materials. The presenters will discuss how the service promotes connection, well-being, community and lifelong learning. They will also cover how they tailor the service to our patrons through Readers Advisory and how they work with caregivers to serve people.

Presenters

• Michelle Cotton, Library by Mail Specialist, Mid-Continent Public Library
  Michelle Cotton, M.L.S., has worked for MCPL for 14 years, and her current role is Library by Mail Specialist. The job includes going to Senior Facilities of all kinds and presenting about how to use this service. She has a husband and 3 awesome cats.
• Michael Anderson, Library by Mail Specialist, Mid-Continent Public Library
  Michael Anderson has worked for MCPL for nearly 40 years. He brings a great deal of knowledge and customer service talent to his role as Library by Mail Specialist. He enjoys building connections with our nearly 500 customers. He is married and a father to two kids.

Description
This presentation centers around the health and well-being of care partners of individuals living with dementia. Care partners are essential to dementia care systems, yet their needs are frequently overlooked in the design of services, policies and programs. Using a systems-based and biopsychosocial framework, this session will examine the social determinants that shape caregiver access, equity, and health outcomes. We will explore how structural barriers — such as financial strain, workforce limitations, cultural considerations, geographic access and policy gaps — impact caregiver well-being and sustainability.

Presenters

• Alissa Potocnik, Assistance Professor and Speech-Language Pathologist, Rockhurst University and Lee’s Summit Medical Center
  Dr. Alissa Potocnik is an Assistant Professor in the Graduate Speech-Language Pathology Program at Rockhurst University. She is also a practicing speech-language pathologist at Lee’s Summit Medical Center, providing evaluation and treatment of neurogenic speech, language and swallowing disorders in the adult and geriatric populations.  Alissa specializes in providing person-centered care for people with aphasia and dementia and their families.  She created the Anchor Support Group in 2023 which provides education, resources and peer-to-peer support to caregivers of people with any type of dementia.  Alissa lives in Lee’s Summit with her husband, and enjoys reading, traveling and birdwatching.
• Amy Stevens, Psychotherapist, Rooted Counseling
  Dr. Amy Stevens, Ph.D., is a social worker and psychotherapist dedicated to strengthening caregiver and community well-being. Her work integrates a biopsychosocial and systems lens to address trauma, attachment and healthy relationships. She maintains a psychotherapy practice at Rooted Counseling in Lee’s Summit, where she works with individuals and couples, specializing in depth-oriented and somatic approaches. Dr. Stevens is also the founder of a community-based Memory Cafe initiative, creating inclusive spaces that foster connection, dignity and support for individuals living with dementia and their care partners. Amy enjoys reading, yoga, quilting and is learning to knit.

Description
This interactive session highlights the sustained growth of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art’s Creative Aging initiatives and offers practical strategies for creating connection through accessible artmaking. Since 2023, we have expanded this work through the Vitality Arts grant and have presented at MARC conferences since 2024. In this session, we will share updated insights, program refinements, and examples of low-cost, adaptable materials that support diverse aging populations in community-based settings.

Participants will engage in a hands-on landscape collage activity inspired by artists such as Claude Monet, who repeatedly painted places he loved. Using tempera sticks, colored pencils, and collage imagery, attendees will reflect on the question, “Where would you like to spend a day?” A brief reflective writing prompt will scaffold storytelling before artmaking begins. The session concludes with facilitated sharing, modeling how creative practice fosters connection, belonging and community among older adults.

Presenters

• Lily Erb, Full-Time Teaching Artist, Community and Access Programs, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
  Teaching Artist, Community and Access Programs at the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, designs and teaches art classes to underrepresented communities. They have taught art in formal and informal learning environments over the past 15+ years and joined the Ford Learning Center Team in 2023. Lily received their B.F.A. from Hampshire College in Sculpture and Printmaking in 2013 and their M.F.A. from Ohio University in Sculpture + Extended Practice in 2022.
• Jackie Niekamp, Manager, Community and Access Programs, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
  Jackie Niekamp is the Manager of Community and Access Programs at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. She leads the development of inclusive initiatives designed in partnership with older adults, people with disabilities and community organizations across the Kansas City region. Jackie has overseen the expansion of the museum’s Creative Aging programs, including work supported by the Vitality Arts grant. In 2023, she was named Museum Educator of the Year by the Missouri Art Education Association (MAEA). Her work focuses on reducing barriers to participation, strengthening community partnerships, and positioning older adults as active contributors in cultural spaces.

Description
Traditional "friendly visitor" programs often face a surprising barrier: the pride of the older adult. Many decline visits to avoid the stigma of loneliness. Liberty Meals on Wheels solved this by launching "Snack and a Smile," a low-cost initiative that uses a simple treat as a "social bridge." In this session, we will explore how shifting from high-speed delivery to "slow-growth" snack routes allows 10-minute check-ins to evolve into hour-long friendships. Attendees will learn how to implement this "dignified-entry" model using existing resources and community partnerships.  We’ll discuss how to shorten routes to remove volunteer time pressure and how a small "sweetener" can open doors that traditional outreach cannot. Join us to discover how a snack acts as the reason to open the door, but connection becomes the reason to stay.

Presenters

• Hailey Kellerstrass, Community Services Coordinator, City of Liberty – Parks and Recreation
  Hailey Kellerstrass began with Liberty Parks and Rec just over nine years ago. Along with leading the Liberty Meals on Wheels program, she also leads another non-profit during the holiday season. Since Kellerstrass began with Liberty Meals on Wheels, the program has added a handful of unique “extra” programs including the Snack and a Smile program.
• Terri Wollard, Meals on Wheels Volunteer
  Terri Wollard joined Liberty Meals on Wheels immediately upon her retirement, driven by a desire to serve her community. Having witnessed the profound impact of the program firsthand through her mother-in-law’s experience as a recipient, Terri brings a unique, "full-circle" perspective. Her natural warmth and commitment to social connection led her to become the inaugural volunteer for the "Snack and a Smile" initiative in 2025. Today, she serves as a volunteer, specializing in the "dignified-entry" model and fostering long-term friendships with homebound neighbors.

Description
This session will introduce and provide an explanation of the concept of dignity of risk, explore why it scares us, and why we should practice it anyway. The presenter will provide examples of the barriers and facilitators of dignity of risk as well as suggestions for incorporating the concept into everyday life. This session is especially beneficial for caregivers.

Presenter

• Emily Michaelis, Doctor of Occupational Therapy student, Des Moines University
  Emily Michaelis previously served as an AmeriCorps member with the AmeriCorps State and National program for the Notre Dame Mission Cooperation in Orange, California, where she worked with older adults at the Regina Residence. Michaelis hopes to continue supporting older adults to live active and productive lives in an acute care or skilled nursing setting after receiving her Doctorate.

Description 
Silver Prom is a unique event in the calendar year for senior programming.  It is a night dedicated to helping seniors experience a time of nostalgia and fun!  We replicate a prom experience similar to what they would have had in their youth.  This event lends itself well to being intergenerational, as high school students can host and assist with planning.  With two successful proms held in Excelsior Springs, we are excited to share how anyone can make this event happen with key partnerships, and why this will become your favorite programming event every year!

Presenters

• Laura Mize, Neighborhood Specialist, City of Excelsior Springs
  As the Neighborhood Specialist for the City of Excelsior Springs, Laura Mize oversees programs that connect neighbors to each other and connect residents with resources.  She chairs groups that support neighborhood block parties and aging programming to include Silver Prom.  She organizes volunteers such as the Snow Angels and Mow Angels.  Through these activities, she gets to work with neighbors and residents who are actively making their community better.
• Jeff Barge, Senior Center Administrator, City of Excelsior Springs
  Jeff Barge is the Senior Center Administrator in Excelsior Springs, Missouri, now in his 21st year working {having fun} in Senior Centers. He is passable at Senior Karaoke, a World Champion at Senior Goat Cuddling and the host and creator of "JEFFARDY!" the last Friday of each month at 1 p.m.

Description
The Power of Belonging is a workshop about creative aging. Ageism is a form of discrimination that all of us endure. We get old or we die young. It's important to learn about the importance of ageism in our world today, and how this can be tackled. You're never too old to learn. As we age, opportunities in the arts are few and far between. But there are opportunities for everyone. And the arts are an important tool for continued good health. The arts can be very therapeutic, and health is the most important thing. It's important to be educated on the importance of the arts as we age, and how this can help us with our health and lives. There are so many forms of drama that are therapeutic that can help us. Through information, games and more, the public can learn the importance of this valuable tool.

Presenter

• Jack Truman, Festival Founder, Holly Weird Film Festival
  Jack Truman is a 40-year veteran in the entertainment business. An award-winning actor, writer, director, speaker, teacher and filmmaker, his independent films have screened at over 700 film festivals around the world. Jack has an M.F.A. in Theatre. The author of many books, he is also the Founder of the Holly Weird Film Festival in Los Angeles, California, and the Founder of the Senior Theatre Guild in Lamar, Missouri.