Hope for the Caregiver Conference
Saturday, October 25
8:30 AM–3:00 PM
Plano Campus
- Vendor Fair – 11:30 a.m.–12:50 p.m.
- 30+ Local Vendors
- 20 Breakout Sessions, Including a Q&A Panel
Cost: $15 (includes lunch)
Online registration has closed. Walk-up registration will be available on Saturday morning (lunch will be not provided).
Schedule
Welcome Session • 8:30–9:20 a.m.
- Rev. Neal Jeffrey, Associate Pastor at Prestonwood Baptist Church
Session One • 9:30–10:20 a.m.
- The Validation Memory Care Engagement Method – Laura Black – Room W204
- An Open Forum for Behavioral Challenges in Dementia – Brian Shadowens – Room W207
- “Dementia Live” Experience – Amy Galilio & Denise Helms – Room W208
- You Promised to Take Care of Them, But You Don’t Have to Do It Alone – Steve Whatley – Room A111
- Legal Documents for Patients and Caregivers – Lorne Book – Room A112
- The Eight Essentials of Special Needs Planning – Brian Black – Room A113
Session Two • 10:30–11:20 a.m.
- Demoralization and Parkinson’s – Bradley McDaniels – Room W204
- How to Manage Caregiver Stress Rather Than Its Managing You – Danny Mack – Room W207
- “Dementia Live” Experience – Amy Galilio & Denise Helms – Room W208
- Understanding the Six Most Prevalent Types of Dementia – Donna Manchester – Room A111
- Essential Planning for Long-Term Care Needs – Mark Pruitt – Room A112
- Special Needs Planning & Trusts – Jennifer Finch – Room A113
Vendor Fair/Lunch • 11:30 a.m.–12:50 p.m.
Session Three • 1:00–1:50 p.m.
- Parkinson’s Journey … and the Role of the Caregiver – Dakota Schumacher – Room W204
- Communication Strategies Across the Stages of Dementia – Hollie Lowe – Room W207
- “Dementia Live” Experience – Amy Galilio & Denise Helms – Room W208
- Caregiving Challenges – Caregiving Resources! – Kathleen Warshawsky & Diane Wright – Room A111
- Seven Senior Living Options – Joyce Logan – Room A112
- Comfort in the Chaos: Encouragement for the Caregiver – Brian Black – Room A113
Session Four • 2:00–2:50 p.m.
- Q&A Panel – Mark Pruitt, Lorne Book, Donna Manchester, Kathleen Warshawsky – The Commons
Speakers/Presentations
Main Speaker
Dr. Beth Nolan
Friday Evening
“Building an Inclusive Community”
Saturday Morning and Afternoon
“The Inevitable Hospital Stay”
“Humor and Caregiving”
The Eight Essentials of Special Needs Planning
Brian Black
Life planning for those with disabilities is vital as families navigate through the challenges of raising a loved one with special needs. We will cover the importance of creating a team of individuals to help guide parents, caregivers, guardians and others in creating a road map for their future journey.
Brian Black is the founder of Equipping the Abled and is a chartered special needs consultant (ChSNC®), dedicated to guiding families of individuals with disabilities in creating faith- centered life plans. As the father of a son with special needs, Brian combines personal experience, professional expertise and a deep trust in God to equip others with practical tools and hope for the journey. A Baylor University graduate, speaker, and author, he inspires audiences to prepare well, live with purpose, and trust the One who leads the way.
The Validation Memory Care Engagement Method
Laura Black
We approach behavioral expressions as representative of an unmet need and solve for the need.
We use Validation, listening and responding with empathy, to enhance dignity and seek to meet the resident’s unmet need.
The Validation Method:
- Supports the reality of the person and finds meaning in their actions and emotions
- Helps us connect when the person is anxious, upset or has trouble with words
- Does not judge or try to change the person’s reality
- Recognizes the individual’s personhood, needs and wisdom
Laura J. Black, MBA, is a certified dementia practitioner (CDP), certified assisted living manager (CALM), and a therapeutic recreation director (TRD); she is currently the Senior Sales Director at Sunrise Senior Living in Plano. She began working with seniors in 2000 after the passing of her grandfather who had Alzheimer’s disease. Laura is a frequent speaker at the Prestonwood Baptist Church Dementia Support Group and recently became certified in the Validation Method, which she describes to be “like being able to understand any language; it’s a miracle.”
Legal Documents for Patients and Caregivers
Lorne Book
Caring for a loved one with dementia or disability brings daily challenges – and unexpected legal ones, too. In this session, estate-planning attorney Lorne Book will walk you through the essential legal documents every caregiver should understand, including powers of attorney, medical directives, HIPAA releases, guardianships, and special needs planning tools. You’ll learn how to avoid common pitfalls, gain confidence in making decisions, and prepare for the road ahead with peace of mind.
Lorne Book has been making estate planning easy for families for the last decade. Using his gifts of storytelling and illustration as teaching tools, Lorne helps clients understand the complexities of planning and caring for an aging loved one. For his efforts, Lorne has been recognized as Texas Super Lawyers “Rising Star.” Lorne is a regular speaker on various estate planning topics in the Metroplex and is a deacon and teacher at Prestonwood Baptist Church, where he attends regularly with his family.
Special Needs Planning and Trusts
Jennifer Finch
Regular estate planning is not sufficient for families who have a loved one with special needs. A special needs trust should be part of their plan. At this presentation, we will discuss:
- Special needs trusts basics
- Government benefits and how inheritance affects them
- Practice case studies on possible scenarios
- Creating a letter of intent
- “Choosing the T”
Jennifer Finch is an attorney who chose to pursue her undergraduate degree in psychology and her post-graduate degree in law because she aspired to a profession in which she could ultimately impact lives in a positive way. Estate planning, special needs planning, probate and guardianship all provide opportunities for Jennifer to use her experiences and educational background to fulfill that goal.
Jennifer views her vocation as a calling to provide wise counsel and guide clients through the legal process with compassion. Addressing specific needs with effective solutions is incredibly rewarding, but her favorite part of her job is the people she gets to meet and serve, as well as the amazing team of women with whom she is privileged to work.
Dementia Live®
Amy Galilio & Denise Helms
Join us for a high-impact immersion experience that brings inside-out understanding of cognitive impairment and sensory changes. You will leave with tools for igniting change in your role as care partner.
Dementia Live® is an immersive simulation that helps participants feel what it’s like to live with dementia symptoms – changing how we think, feel, and communicate about dementia.
Amy Galilio has spent more than a decade serving in home health and hospice care, walking alongside older adults and their families during some of life’s most challenging moments. Guided by a deep belief in the power of compassionate, person-centered care, she has dedicated her career to building strong connections between providers, patients and the communities they call home – ensuring that individuals receive the support, dignity and comfort they deserve.
Now as Area Business Development Manager for Overture Home Care, Amy leads a talented team dedicated to improving the lives of older adults throughout the region. Under her leadership, Overture continues to set the standard for excellence in private duty home care, with specialized training in dementia care, a strong network of healthcare partnerships, and a reputation for delivering the “Overture Way” of care – rooted in patience, dignity and discretion. She recently became a certified Dementia Live® Coach, equipping her to train others in this powerful, hands-on experience that fosters empathy, understanding, and improved care for those living with dementia.
Her role allows her to merge her passion for serving seniors with her expertise in relationship building, community outreach, and strategic growth. She works closely with healthcare professionals, senior living communities, and families to ensure older adults can remain safe, supported, and engaged at home. Amy’s leadership and commitment play a vital role in advancing Overture’s mission to provide exceptional care and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those they serve.
Denise Helms, RN, BSN, CDP, is a registered nurse with more than 30 years of experience specializing in the care of older adults. She is the cofounder of Overture Home Care, a leading non-medical home care agency serving the Fort Worth and Dallas communities. Denise remains actively involved in daily operations and leads her growing team with a commitment to providing care rooted in dignity, patience and discretion known as the “Overture Way.” Her passion for older adults and unwavering dedication to quality care continue to shape Overture Home Care as a trusted and preferred provider in the region.
In addition to her work at Overture, Denise is a certified dementia practitioner and a certified coach trainer for the nationally recognized Dementia Live® program. She actively supports dementia-related initiatives and organizations, including the Tarrant Area Gerontological Society, Age-U-Cate and the University of North Texas Health C.A.R.E.S. Support Group, and she serves on the UNT Health Community Advisory Council. She also continues her commitment to the local community through board service with the Parker County Health Foundation and the Parker County Committee on Aging/Meals on Wheels.
In August 2025, Denise proudly celebrated 10 years of compassionate, high-quality care through Overture Home Care, the agency she cofounded in 2015, a reflection of her lifelong dedication to serving older adults.
Seven Senior Living Options
Joyce Logan
This session focuses on the different options in senior living from living at home to a senior living community or residential care home. Joyce will share her experiences in working with hundreds of families across the Metroplex and provide important questions to ask when evaluating and touring communities. Attendees will leave knowing the important aspects of the different types of communities and will be armed with information that is vital in making the perfect selection.
Joyce Logan is a certified senior living advisor, certified dementia practitioner, and founder of Ruby Care. Joyce spent several years in social work and in business development before Ruby Care became her vision, which was inspired during the time she spent caring for her mother-in-law, Ruby, beginning in 2011. She is actively involved in her community – Junior League of Collin County; Women’s Auxiliary to Children’s Medical Center, Plano; Alzheimer’s Association, board member of Dallas Area Parkinson’s Society; Board Member of the Wellness Center for Older Adults; and a graduate of Leadership Plano.
Communicating with Dementia Patients at Each Stage of Their Journey
Hollie Lowe
“Communication Strategies Across the Stages of Dementia” is a program that provides caregivers with practical tools to effectively communicate with individuals living with dementia. It explores how communication abilities change through early, middle and late stages of the disease, and offers stage-specific approaches to reduce frustration, enhance connection, and promote dignity in care.
Hollie Lowe, MA, LPC, NCC, is a licensed professional counselor, who serves as Director of Education and Family Support Services for the James L. West Center for Dementia Care in Fort Worth. She facilitates the center’s family support groups and is involved in many of the numerous education services provided by the center.
Hollie is a dementia care specialist with more than 30 years of experience in education and working with people of all ages. She has degrees from Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Sam Houston State University, and Dallas Baptist University. She also attended Southwestern Theological Seminary to obtain hours in theology.
Hollie has been recognized as a national and statewide speaker on topics such as dementia, hospice, and professional and caregiver stress. She has also written a therapy to be used with patients at the end of life that focuses on the individual needs of the person and their family.
Her passion is educating the public and helping families who have a loved one diagnosed with dementia.
How to Manage Caregiver Stress Rather Than Its Managing You
Danny Mack
- The warning signs of caregiver stress.
- The do’s and don’ts of managing caregiver stress.
- The elements of stress and how to manage them.
- Six proven strategies for managing caregiver stress.
Danny Mack is a graduate of the University of North Texas, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and the Leading Age Leadership Institute. He is a certified dementia practitioner. With more than 25 years of service in the field of hospice, Danny is an expert on spiritual care, bereavement, caregiver stress management and marketing.
Understanding the Six Most Prevalent Types of Dementia
Donna Manchester
“Dementia” is an umbrella term used to describe a range of neurological conditions that destroy nerve cells and damage the brain, typically leading to deterioration in cognitive function. This session discusses the six most prevalent dementias: Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, Lewy body dementia, Parkinson’s disease with dementia, and Huntington’s disease.
Donna Manchester, CEBS, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, is a human resources executive with 30-plus years of domestic and international experience. As the HR Executive for six firms, she has been instrumental in facilitating global expansion, launching HR for start-up organizations, playing a key role in mergers and acquisitions, and expanding HR to foreign subsidiaries. She launched and led HR units for the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, India, Germany, New Zealand and Australia.
Donna holds a BS in human relations and business and is a senior professional in human resources, a certified employee benefit specialist, a SHRM certified senior professional, and an advanced practitioner of neurolinguistics programming.
As the primary caregiver for her husband and her mother, both of whom are dementia patients, she has applied her personal experience as a caregiver to becoming a certified Alzheimer’s Association support group facilitator. She has served as the ministry coordinator of the Prestonwood Baptist Church Dementia Care Support Group for the last five years.
Demoralization and Parkinson’s: Why Feeling Defeated Isn’t the End of the Story
Dr. Bradley McDaniels
This session will explore a problem many people with Parkinson’s disease and their caregivers quietly face: a deep sense of hopelessness, helplessness, and loss of purpose known as demoralization. Unlike depression – which often lifts with medication – demoralization is more about feeling “stuck” and unsure how to keep going. In this session you will learn: (1) how to recognize early warning signs in yourself or a loved one; (2) simple, quick questionnaires you can bring to clinic visits to start a conversation with your health‐care team; and (3) practical, evidence-based approaches that rebuild confidence, purpose and connection. We will also share everyday strategies families can adopt at home to nurture hope and resilience. Whether you live with Parkinson’s or care for someone who does, you will leave with concrete tools and renewed optimism for facing the journey ahead.
Dr. Bradley McDaniels is an associate professor in the Department of Rehabilitation and Health Services at the University of North Texas. He earned his Ph.D. in rehabilitation counseling from the University of Kentucky and completed a post‑doctoral research fellowship in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, where he focused exclusively on Parkinson’s disease (PD). His commitment to this work is deeply personal: His mother’s diagnosis with Parkinson’s 14 years ago was the impetus for a career change and his dedication to advancing evidence‑based, patient‑centered care.
Dr. McDaniels’s scholarship examines psychosocial adaptation and quality of life in PD, exploring how individuals negotiate the emotional, social and existential challenges precipitated by the disease. He endeavors to convert empirical findings into scalable interventions that tangibly enhance patients’ day‑to‑day well‑being. He serves on advisory boards for the Parkinson’s Foundation, the Davis Phinney Foundation, the Dallas Area Parkinson Society, DFW Parkinson’s Resource, and the Young Onset Parkinson’s Network.
Essential Planning for Long-Term Care Needs
Mark Pruitt
Topics covered in this workshop include documents needed to navigate on behalf of a loved one plus creative ideas and tools to pay for long-term care so the money does not run out. Mark will help you avoid mistakes that are often made when planning and paying for long-term care. Proactive planning vs. reactive planning is crucial for families taking on the role of caregiver.
Mark Pruitt is the founder and owner of Strategic Estate Planning Services in Carrollton, Texas. This comprehensive planning firm coordinates and provides resources in all areas of estate and financial planning. He is licensed with the Texas Department of Insurance and is an investment adviser representative that works in a fiduciary capacity. Mark has been chosen as “Adviser of the Year,” a national award given in the past by Senior Market magazine.
Parkinson’s Journey, Motor and Non-Motor Symptom Progression and the Role of the Caregiver
Dr. Dakota Schumacher
Our discussion/conversation will review general progression of Parkinson’s disease motor/non motor features with an emphasis on the variability of the journey. Special attention will be given to how caregivers can support their loved ones through this journey.
Dr. Dakota Schumacher is a fellowship-trained movement disorder neurologist with a passion for caring for patients with Parkinson’s disease. He did his neurology and movement disorder training at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and has been practicing in the Dallas-Fort Worth area since 2024. During his time in DFW, Dr. Schumacher has done several Parkinson’s support group talks and enjoys Q&A-style conversations with patients and caregivers. He was voted best neurologist in the Arlington/Mansfield area for 2024-2025.
An Open Forum for Behavioral Challenges in Dementia
Brian Shadowens
- How can I handle this?
- How do I cope with embarrassing moments and odd behavior?
- How do I deal with aggression and on-going irritability?
- When and how do I get help?
Brian Shadowens is currently an executive director for an assisted living and memory care community in Grapevine, Texas. He has more than a decade of experience as an executive director of several assisted living and memory care communities. He has more than 20 years of experience with educating others regarding the disease. Brian has been a sought-after speaker and presenter for dementia throughout his career. He has been in the caregiver role for hundreds who have been affected by dementia, including several in his immediate family.
Caregiving Challenges – Caregiving Resources!
Kathleen Warshawsky and Diane Wright
Kathleen Warshawsky, BSN, RN, is a dynamic entrepreneur, educator and healthcare professional with more than three decades of experience in nursing and senior care. She is the owner and publisher of Seniors Blue Book Greater Dallas, a vital resource connecting seniors with local services. Kathleen’s leadership extends to her roles as past-president of the Dallas Area Gerontological Society, founder of Vanka Marketing & Consulting, investor and advisor for teleCalm, and advisory board member of Gifting Brands. A registered nurse since 1992, Kathleen earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Grand Canyon University in 2013. Kathleen’s passion for empowering seniors and caregivers is at the heart of her work and presentations.
Diane Wright retired at age 50 from a successful career as a systems analyst with the federal government, then embraced a new role as a full-time caregiver to her mother, who was battling cancer. This deeply personal experience gave her a profound understanding of the emotional and practical challenges faced by seniors and their caregivers. Diane is a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who continues to share her compassion and insight through part-time work with her daughter, Kathleen Warshawsky, at Seniors Blue Book Greater Dallas. Her dedication to family and service makes her a powerful voice in senior advocacy and caregiving support.
You Promised to Take Care of Them, But You Don’t Have to Do It Alone
Steve Whatley
Being a family caregiver is one of the toughest jobs anyone can ever undertake. Caring for a family member is emotionally and physically exhausting, and can steal one’s primary identity: spouse, daughter, son, etc. Many times, the resulting exhaustion is brought about by the caregivers’ believing they must do everything and waiting too long before seeking assistance.
This presentation will focus on encouraging the family caregiver not to lose focus on self-care and protecting against what can be debilitating exhaustion, preventing him or her from carrying out the caregiver role. Further, we will discuss negotiating the healthcare matrix and the best approaches to healthcare systems, communicating with physicians, hospital admissions and discharges, when to seek assistance at home, and “10 Lessons Learned.”
Steve L. Whatley, Ph.D. is co-owner and CEO of HomeWell Care Services Plano, a full-service in-home care company recognized as a Best of Home Care Provider by Home Care Pulse, the preeminent in-home care reputation management firm. Steve and his wife, Leslie, were led into in-home care after caring for Steve’s father for seven years. Prior to owning HomeWell, Steve worked in two large healthcare delivery systems: the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus, and Children’s Health in Dallas. Steve’s experience in these two institutions resulted in vast learning about patient care, satisfaction and loyalty. Steve earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology from Louisiana Tech University and a Ph.D. in organizational development from Ohio State University.
SPONSORSHIP LEVELS
Bronze Level ($200)
- 1 Sponsor Table with 2 Chairs for Vendor Fair
- 2 Lunch Passes
- Name Listed in Conference Program
Silver Level ($500) (Registration Full)
- 1 Sponsor Table with 2 Chairs for Vendor Fair
- 3 Lunch Passes
- ¼-page Acknowledgement* in Conference Program
Gold Level ($750) (Registration Full)
- 1 Sponsor Table with 2 Chairs for Vendor Fair
- 4 Lunch Passes
- Half-page Acknowledgement* in Conference Program
Platinum Level ($1,000) (Registration Full)
- 1 Sponsor Table with 2 chairs (prime location)
- Honorable Mention from Platform
- 4 Lunch Passes
- Full page Acknowledgement* in Conference Program
* Acknowledgments MAY include:
- Sponsor name
- Logo or established slogan
- Contact phone numbers
- Website
- Descriptions or depictions of products or services
* Acknowledgments MAY NOT include:
- Qualitative or comparative language
- Indications of value
- Price information
