Pick up your name badge from the kiosk at the Hyatt Ballroom Foyer.

Breakfast at the Hyatt Ballroom Foyer.

Space limited. No CEUs.

Facilitator: Mark Cimino, CEO, CiminoCare

Kick your morning off with an elevating exchange of ideas and engaging, thoughtful conversation around this important timely topic. Share your perspectives and gain fresh insights as you learn from the experience of your peers during this facilitated discussion. You’ll leave feeling inspired and energized as you head off to your first session of the day.

RD | BRN

Claire Day, Chief Mission and Program Strategy Officer, Alzheimer’s Association Northern California Chapter

With dementia on the rise and science moving at a rapid rate, it can be challenging to stay up to date. Hear about new advances in Alzheimer's and dementia research related to diagnostics and treatment, including results from the US POINTER study. Explore strategies to reduce the risk of cognitive decline through lifestyle interventions, and walk away with practical strategies to make simple, sustainable lifestyle changes that may decrease your own risk of dementia while supporting residents.

R | BRN

Lindsey Flores, Senior Vice President of Operations, Carlton Senior Living
Melissa Malek, LVN, Director of Health Services, Oakmont Management Group 
George Netscher, Founder & CEO, SafelyYou

As operators face rising acuity, staffing challenges, and increasing financial pressure, many of the largest cost drivers remain reactive and difficult to quantify. Drawing on findings from SafelyYou’s 2026 Cost of Senior Care Study, this session will explore how earlier visibility into safety risk, wellness changes, staffing demand and care-plan alignment can strengthen both operational stability and financial performance. Hear real-world perspectives on where cost truly originates, why falls, turnover and resident transitions are so expensive, and how proactive insight changes outcomes. You’ll leave with a practical framework for identifying hidden cost drivers and building more predictable, resilient operations and support more consistent, high-quality resident care.

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Jen Bruning, RDN, Director of Partner Education, Incite Strategic Partners

While dining remains a central source of enjoyment for residents, it is often under-utilized in marketing and social media, overshadowed by activities, amenities, care and special events. Operators have a powerful opportunity to delight current residents and attract prospective residents and their families by elevating dining programs showcasing them more strategically. Join this expert to explore the why and how of marketing dining and nutrition and leave with practical implementation strategies to bring your story to life.

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Christa Peters, Business Development Executive, Sage

Operational excellence comes down to clarity – clear processes, clear expectations and clear communication across an entire organization. Discover how communities can streamline daily operations by equipping teams with the tools and insights needed to deliver consistent, transparent care. Explore how strong communication pathways reduce errors, improve team member satisfaction and build reliability in both planned and unplanned care. You’ll walk away with practical strategies to create more connected workflows, clear documentation and real-time visibility, driving more predictable, scalable operations and elevating resident-centered care.

Morning coffee break.

RD | BRN

Shadi Gholizadeh, PhD, Chief Quality & Innovation Officer, TheKey

Anosognosia is a common yet often misunderstood symptom of dementia, where individuals are unaware of their cognitive changes. Take an in-depth look at its presentation and impact, brought to life through powerful video narratives from individuals living with dementia. Through case studies, interactive discussion and hands-on role-playing exercises, participants will explore the challenges of assessing anosognosia and learn evidence-based strategies for effective support. You’ll leave with person-centered approaches and practical solutions to enhance care experiences for both residents and staff.

If you attended this session at the 2025 Fall Conference, please note DSS will not approve CEUs for repeat attendance.

RLR | BRN

Selena Coppi Hornback, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, CALA
Danielle Parsons, Vice President of Government Affairs, CALA

California lawmakers are weighing significant changes, from new CCRC contract repayment options to overhauling the way DSS displays elder abuse citations on the website and emerging technology rules shaping the workplace. At the same time, the department is evaluating how fall reduction technologies align with current video surveillance guidance as adoption grows in RCFEs, while also preparing to launch a new facility management system. Get the inside track on what’s ahead with regulatory updates and the latest on the ALW and CalAIM. You’ll leave with a clear understanding of the most pressing legislative and regulatory issues, and how you can shape what comes next.

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Patricia Smith, Founder, Compassion Fatigue Awareness Project

When a caregiver gives too much without prioritizing daily self-care, a secondary traumatic stress syndrome known as compassion fatigue can take hold. While high levels of stress, burnout and compassion fatigue are common among those who serve others, there are meaningful ways to address them. Join this expert to deepen your understanding of compassion fatigue, stress and burnout, their symptoms and causes, and explore practical strategies for promoting wellness. You’ll gain a blueprint for creating a Self-Care Plan along with resources to support self-care. Walk away with tools to better equip yourself and your team in delivering compassionate and empathetic care to others without depleting your own body, mind and spirit.

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Michael Marlow, President, The Marlow Group, Inc.

More than ever, adult children want an authentic, transparent glimpse of what life will be like for their loved one before making the senior living decision. Coupled with a growing hesitation to rely solely on the sales director, it’s essential that the entire team is equipped and motivated to deliver that experience. Join this seasoned sales expert as he reveals a proven, effective approach to building trust and confidence of prospective residents and their families while driving occupancy and revenue results.

Take time before and after lunch to meet and network with exhibitors to learn about new products and services they have to offer. Please make sure to visit and thank each exhibitor as they contribute greatly to the success of the association.

RLR | BRN

Fay Gordon, State Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Kimberly Lewis, Assistant Deputy Director Residential Programs, Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division
Ia Lo, Program Administrator, Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division
Greg Oliva, Assistant Deputy Director for Central Operations, Department of Social Services 
Lilit Tovmasian, Chief of the Policy, Training and Quality Improvement Branch, Department of Social Services

Join us for a refreshed general session focusing on key state-level policies and oversight priorities impacting senior care throughout California. Hear directly from CCLD leadership and the new state long-term care ombudsman as they share their priorities, perspectives on emerging care-focused technology and approach to strengthening partnerships in resident advocacy.

Afternoon dessert and coffee break.

RD | BRN

Nancy Schier Anzelmo, Principal, Alzheimer's Care Associates LLC
David Troxel, President, Best Friends Approach

For over 30 years, person‑centered care has shaped memory care practices in senior living communities. Today, emerging models and growing evidence around the therapeutic value of meaningful activity are bringing greater focus to relationship‑centered care and wellness‑oriented programs that support whole‑person brain health. Join this highly regarded duo as they share practical ways to integrate person‑centered principles into life story and social history collection, daily workflows, activity calendars and team member training. By putting the person before the task and creating therapeutic, healing environments, teams can save time, reduce care challenges and experience more consistent success with ADLs and engagement.

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Adam Broomhead, Risk Control Manager, Care West Insurance Company
Carrie Coronado, Director of Underwriting, Care West Insurance Company
Kerry Dantzig, Senior Vice President, Hefferman Insurance Brokers

By gaining a comprehensive understanding of workers' compensation, risk management and the total cost of a loss, providers can strengthen their operational performance in meaningful ways. Join these insurance and risk management specialists to explore how strategic workers’ compensation practices and proactive risk reduction can significantly lower costs, boost workforce productivity and support long term financial health. Gain actionable insights to lead a safer, more efficient and more resilient organization.

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Cynthia Thurlow, President & CEO, 3rd3rd Marketing

Join this marketing expert and explore how digital strategies, fresher creative approaches and performance-driven decision-making can dramatically improve ROI while increasing census and market presence. Discover how to effectively address common blind spots when evaluating marketing budgets, amplify what’s working and refine what’s not. You’ll gain clear frameworks and practical insights that you can apply immediately to achieve stronger, more predictable results and will leave better equipped to transform your marketing efforts into a more powerful growth engine.

R | BRN

Regina Brink, Director of Governmental Affairs, California Council of the Blind
Jeff Thom, President, California Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss

Join this dynamic duo as they share critical insights on supporting seniors with vision loss, helping to enhance their safety and comfort in senior living communities. From understanding key demographics and exploring helpful analog and technology-based adaptations, to learning how to tailor your marketing approaches to their unique needs, you’ll discover and walk away with targeted tools, strategies and resources to attract and effectively serve this population.

RD | BRN

Daizel Gasperian, Owner / Executive Director, Memory Care Support 
Rachel Hildrey, Registered Dietitian, Oakmont Management Group

Individuals living with dementia can often experience suppressed appetite, dysphagia and mealtime behavioral expressions that can reduce their dietary intake and increase the risk of malnutrition, dehydration and related complications. While appetite stimulants can sometimes be helpful, they also hold the potential to increase confusion and cause other adverse effects. Join this dietitian to explore a Food First approach, emphasizing the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet and nutrient-dense shakes to enhance dietary intake while minimizing reliance on appetite stimulants. You’ll also learn about standardized texture-modified meals to support feeding safety and reduce aspiration risk. When combined with person-centered feeding approaches, these strategies help promote dietary intake, preserve dignity and improve health outcomes.

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Alyssa Weakley, PhD, Assistant Professor, University of California, Davis

Explore the cutting-edge intersection of technology and senior living as you dive into emerging assistive technologies that support independence and enhance safety. From smart-home integrations and privacy-preserving health monitoring to resident-facing AI-enabled chatbots and interactive resident-caregiver support platforms that streamline communication monitoring and beyond, you’ll leave better equipped to implement these solutions. Walk away better equipped to implement these solutions, improving quality of life for residents and reduce caregiver burnout.

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Kieran Chrysler, SEO & GEO Team Lead, CITIZEN Marketing

As search behavior shifts from traditional Google links to AI-generated answers (GEO), it’s important to understand that a family’s decision often starts months before they ever walk through your doors. Join this expert as she examines how customer journeys are evolving and what prospects do before they discover your brand. From understanding how AI search works to how to shape your brands narrative in the real world to strengthen your digital reputation, you’ll learn how to maintain a consistent flow of authentic reviews without high-pressure solicitation and leave with practical actions you can take to improve your online presence.

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David Schofman, Founder, Coro Health

Join this entrepreneur and thought leader as he explores the power of music as medicine and its impact on quality of life across the entire continuum of care. Discover how music and faith can influence the brain and discover best practices for integrating these approaches into resident and community care plans. From reducing agitation, depression and pain perception to enhancing memory, food consumption, socialization and resident engagement to increasing satisfaction scores, reducing incident rates and beyond, you’ll leave inspired and equipped to elevate your programs while staying aligned with music licensing requirements.

Ticketed Event | Sponsored by Hanson Bridgett LLP and Propel Insurance

Gates open: 5:45 p.m.
Game time: 6:45 p.m.
5:30 - 6:45 p.m. - Buses from Hyatt to Sutter Health Ballpark every 15 minutes
9:00 – 10:15 p.m. – Buses from Sutter Health Ballpark to Hyatt every 15 minutes

Join us for a memorable evening of connection and fun at CALA’s Night at the Ballpark. Join fellow conference attendees at Sutter Health Park as the Sacramento River Cats take on the Tacoma Rainiers, all from the Solon Club Level – an open-air setting perfect for relaxed conversation and meaningful connections. Enjoy a dinner buffet with dessert, beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages while taking in elevated views of the field and Sacramento skyline from your reserved seats. With convenient roundtrip transportation provided from the Hyatt, this is an easy, high-energy way to unwind, build relationships and experience the best of #CALAElevate – proudly sponsored by Hanson Bridgett LLP and Propel Insurance.