Disasters can strike anytime, anywhere - and their impact can be devastating. For older adults and people with disabilities, the stakes are even higher. Nearly half of individuals over age 65 live with two or more chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, or Alzheimer's - making them especially vulnerable during emergencies that disrupt access to food, water, shelter, or medical care. Likewise, people with disabilities may rely on essential supports or services that are often unavailable when disaster hits. In times of crisis, these populations face unique and heightened risks - and preparing to meet their needs isn't just compassionate, it's critical.
Location:
Quest Conference Center
9200 Worthington Road, 4th floor, Westerville, Ohio 43082
Each participant is responsible for his/her own lodging and meal arrangements. We encourage you to make your hotel reservations as early as possible. There are many hotel options near the conference center. Google hotels on Polaris Parkway for a complete listing.
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October 8, 2025
8:30 am - Check In & Coffee
9:00 am - Emergency Preparedness Now: Progress, Gaps, and Next Steps
presented by Kenneth Daily, LNHA
In recent decades, emergency preparedness in senior living facilities has become a critical focus - driven by high-profile incidents such as devastating hurricanes, major facility fires in Tennessee and Connecticut, and an alarming rise in resident elopements. In response to these challenges, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented comprehensive Emergency Preparedness Requirements to ensure facilities are better equipped, responsive, and compliant during crises.
While these regulations have strengthened emergency protocols across the sector, they've also led to increased regulatory scrutiny and, in many cases, a rise in cited deficiencies. This opening session will provide participants with a current overview of both state and federal compliance expectations, while also clarifying key components of the CMS Emergency Preparedness Rule to support improved planning and execution.
9:45 am - The Data is Clear: Elopements Are High-Risk Events
presented by Mandy Smith, Director of Regulatory and Compliance - Aspire Regional Partners, HSE, CEAL, CEHCH, IPCO, LNHA, LMT, LPTA, QCP, RAC-CTA, WCC, APC
The Ohio Department of Health continues to cite facilities for elopement incidents at an increasing rate, highlighting a growing concern across the healthcare continuum. Elopement remains a serious issue, often placing residents at significant risk and exposing facilities to regulatory penalties, including Immediate Jeopardy citations. In this session, Mandy will review several years of data on elopement-related Immediate Jeopardies in Ohio, shedding light on common patterns, recurring deficiencies, and the underlying factors contributing to these events.
10:30 am - Networking Break
10:45 am - Enhancing Resident Safety: Elopement and Licensure in Ohio
Presented by Sydney Pahren, JD
This session will provide an in-depth exploration of resident elopement, with a strong emphasis on a facility's legal and clinical responsibilities related to duty of care and negligence. Sydney will examine the critical role of thorough resident assessment and individualized care planning in preventing elopement incidents. The session will also address essential areas such as regulatory standards, staffing and supervision practices, environmental and security controls, incident reporting, investigation protocols, and the legal implications of elopement events - including liability exposure and litigation trends. Attendees will gain valuable insight into proactive legal strategies and risk mitigation approaches to strengthen facility preparedness and resident safety.
12:00 pm - 12:30 pm - Lunch (included)
12:30 pm - Elopement in Long-Term Care: A Crisis Waiting to Happen?
Panel Presentation: Kelly Beatty, RN, DON, Carington Park Nursing and Rehab; Josh Dubler, LNHA, COO, Hillstone Healthcare; Teresa Remy, MHA,LNHA, BSN, RN, CDP, SMQT, QCP, IPCO, Director of Regulatory and Clinical Consulting, Engage Consulting
This panel of seasoned experts will candidly share real-world experiences of elopement events that occurred under their leadership -discussing how often these incidents happen, what patterns they've observed, and the devastating consequences that can result. The session will also explore how facilities can strengthen protocols, staff training, and environmental safeguards to better protect some of the most vulnerable individuals in our care.
2:00 pm - Networking Break
2:15 pm - Proactive Approaches for Elopement Management
presented by Sarah Rose, MSN, RN, LNHA
Preventing resident elopement requires facilities to implement a comprehensive set of strategies aimed at safeguarding residents -especially those with cognitive impairments. These approaches often include enhancing physical security measures, modifying the environment to reduce elopement risks, increasing staff training and supervision, and utilizing technology such as door alarms and tracking systems. No single solution is sufficient; instead, a layered, proactive approach is essential to effectively protect residents from harm while preserving their dignity and freedom.
4:15 pm - Adjourn
Service Master is sponsoring an exciting evening event at Top Golf for all Summit participants... join us!
October 9, 2025
8:30 am - Check In & Coffee
9:00 am - Bridging the Gap: Risk Management and Disaster Preparedness in Nursing Homes
Presented by Cal McCarty, VP - Commercial Sales & Response ServiceMaster Recovery Management
Effective risk management in long-term care settings is essential to the success and sustainability of operations - especially when it comes to planning for emergencies. As these facilities care for some of the most vulnerable populations, proactive risk strategies not only protect residents and staff but also ensure regulatory compliance, operational continuity, and public trust during crises.
10:00 am - Networking Break
10:15 am - Think Like an Incident Commander: Leading with Clarity in Crisis
Presented by Glenn Thomas, President, Full Spectrum Safety Consulting
Emergencies in long-term care don't wait for perfect conditions -or perfect preparation. Whether it's a natural disaster, a medical surge, or a resident elopement, leaders must act fast, think clearly, and coordinate effectively under pressure. That's where the Incident Command System becomes indispensable.
This powerful session will challenge participants to think like an Incident Commander -to prioritize life safety, manage chaos with control, and communicate with purpose across teams, residents, families, and external responders. Drawing on real-world events and case-based scenarios, we'll dive into the Nursing Home Incident Command System and Assisted Living Incident Command System, breaking down how to adapt these standardized frameworks to the unique realities of long-term care environments.
Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of what it means to lead in crisis - not just follow a checklist. We'll also explore how ICS principles apply to high-risk situations like resident elopement, a growing emergency preparedness concern in senior care settings. Whether you're a seasoned leader or stepping into emergency management for the first time, this session will sharpen your decision-making and equip you with actionable strategies to lead with confidence when it matters most.
12:15 pm - 12:45 pm - Luncheon (included)
12:45 pm - Tabletop
Led by Kenneth Daily, LNHA, Chairman OHCA Life Safety and Emergency Preparedness Committee
Resident elopement poses a significant safety risk, especially for individuals with cognitive impairments such as dementia. This exercise will test existing protocols clarify. roles and responsibilities and promote cross-functional teamwork to ensure swift and effective response to such incidents.
This interactive tabletop exercise is designed to strengthen the preparedness a response capabilities of healthcare professionals and support staff in the event of resident elopement from a senior living center. Participants will engage in a realistic scenario involving a missing resident, requiring coordinated action, critical decision making, and effective communication under time pressure.
3:15 pm - Adjourn
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Speaker information is not available.
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Continuing Education Credit:
Day 1 - 6.25 CEs
Day 2 - 5.5 CEs
11 CE credits
Ohio NHA
Ohio Nurses
Certified Executive for Assisted Living
Certified Executive for Home Care & Hospice
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Registration Fees:
Full Conference:
Members:
Before September 24 $275
September 24 and after, $295
Non Members
Before September 24 $475
September 24 and after, $545
Register four or more people from the same organization in a single online transaction and receive an additional 15% off the registration fees listed above.
One Day Only:
Members:
Before September 24 $195
September 24 and after, $235
Non Members
Before September 24, $245
September 24 and after, $285
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