In-Service Workshops

Big Sky Prevention of Elder Abuse Program provides eight free educational workshops each year. Educated and experienced professionals volunteer their time to help enhance the quality of care provided to our elderly. This education is directed to Licensed Personal and Foster Care Homes, Personal Assistance and Home Health Agencies, and Assisted Living facilities. The public is welcome.

Upcoming In-Service Calendar

All workshops are held at Westpark Village Retirement Center:

2351 Solomon Avenue
Time: 7:00 PM – 8:30 p.m., 3rd Tuesday of the month

All workshops are free and open to home health and assisted living staff and family caregivers.

In-service workshops can be used as credit toward the annual in-service training required by DPHHS for Personal Care Attendants. Certificates are available to document attendance at the training.

Jan 21 – Social Security in a Nutshell: Jan Soelter

Feb 18 – Wills & Advice Directives: Bernie Mason

Mar 18 – Coping with Difficult Behaviors: Dr. Ann Rathe

April 15 – Neurological Diseases: Dr. David Gumm

May 20 – Communication Strategies & Validation: Nancy Fee

Jun 17 – Community Medicaid vs. Nursing Home Medicaid: Lyn VanArsdale

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Jan 15 – Boundaries & Caregiving – Relationships: Margaret English

Feb 19 – Respiratory Illness & Techniques: Mia Gravgaard

Mar 19 – Aging Process of the Developmentally Disabled Population:
Suzn Gehring, Lori Border

Apr 16 – Art Therapy for Caregivers & Residents: Ian Elliot

May 21 – Organ Donation – “The Gift of Life”: Patty Jo Johnson

Jun 18 – To Your Health – Food Safety for Seniors: Joyce Hill

Sep 17 - Care Giver Support and the Ombudsman
Sue Bailey and Judy Garrison

Oct 15 - Skin integrity and wound care - Kelly Dowell

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Jan 16 – Alternative Medical Card: Dr. Roberta Bourgon>

Feb 20 – Communication with Confused People: Joyce Hill

Mar 20 – Enhancing the Quality of Life Through Activities for Everyone: Nancy Fee

Apr 17 – Community Services Available: Grace D. Bowman and Joan Kimball

May 15 – Hospice: Help with Life Transitions
Joyce Davice and Louis Bowen

Jun 19 – Adult Protective Services: Laurie Peterson – Yamamoto

Sep 18 – Lifting and Transferring for Residents & Staff

Oct 16 – Depression: Dr. Debra Sheppard

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Feb – Family Dynamics: Julie Hecker

Mar – Meal/Special Diets (sample menus): Virginia Martinez

Apr – Understanding Depression: Dr. Ann Rathe, MD

May – Safety Issues & Preventing Falls: Mike Lynch

Jun – Caring for Residents' Physical Needs: Lorin Olson

Sept - Relaxing with Yoga: Catherine McDonough

Oct – Resident Rights: Geri Burnett

Nov – Music & The Healing Environment: Susan Hutcherson

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Feb – Medications: Kathy Stevensen

Mar – Wendy Lustbader’s “Kind Hands”:
Moderator: Laurie Peterson–Yamamoto

Apr – Nutrition: Katy Tilden Asay

May – Skin Care and Foot Care: Kelly Graves

Jun – Death and Dying: Ann Teal

Sep – Ethical Issues of Caregiving and Advance Directives:
Tammy Sutter

Oct – Communication Strategies and Validation: Nancy Fee

Nov – Stress Management for Clients and Staff: Cheryl Ikeds

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Dec – Coping with Difficult Behaviors: Nancy Fee

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