Education and Training: Twenty-six sessions covered an array of topics including legislative, regulatory, compliance, operations, communications, marketing, employment, and technology issues. Our legislative and regulatory counsel from Hinman Straub presented the latest on the Assisted Living Residence (ALR) regulation that was adopted shortly before the conference and other legal issues affecting ACFs/ALRs. Judi Mooney was back to represent the NYS Department of Health, in her role as Director of the Home and Community Based Services. Ms. Mooney recapped the Department’s first year initiatives, and discussed what is coming down the pike. Mary Hart from the Bureau of Adult Care Quality and Surveillance joined her in the session and answered questions pertaining to ACF and ALR survey issues.

Katharine Logan from the Department’s Office of Emergency Preparedness returned with her latest news on how to “Hurry up and Surge” for emergencies. The presentation by representatives from the Northeastern New York Alzheimer’s Association offered tips on how to strengthen support groups that will give help to give residents with Alzheimer’s and dementia a voice. Laurie Pferr, Executive Deputy Director, Director for the NYS Office for the Aging (SOFA), presented on SOFA’s growing role in Assisted Living. Mark Miller, SOFA’s new head Ombudsman, joined Laurie and discussed ombudsman efforts in adult care facilities and assisted living residences. New to the scene this year was a representative from the US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), who provided guidance how to stop workplace violence before it starts. Our Keynote Speaker Joel Weintraub, a “humorous educator”, merged the formerly disparate worlds of comedy and education. By combining his professional comedy experience with his master’s degree in Physiology and Bachelor’s in Health Education, Joel entertained while helping us look differently at some common ongoing challenges for assisted living providers, which included nurturing and empowering employees, getting along with difficult people, improving time management skills and memory techniques. Most importantly, he reminded us of the therapeutic benefits of humor and how it can improve productivity, creativity and civility in the workplace.

The Evening Activities offered networking opportunity for participants. The Sunday night’s Welcome Party was decorated in a “Mexican Fiesta” theme with food, drink and musicians from South of the Border.

The Trade Show took on a life of its own, as attendees were welcomed aboard “The Love Boat” by Captain Merrill Stubing (Association President Jim Kane) and Cruise Director Julie McCoy (Conference Chairperson Beverly Paparo). Along with the proper cruise ship décor, the DJ enhanced the atmosphere by providing the nostalgic background music of 70s and 80s, including the recording of the Love Boat’s theme song. Along with several prizes raffled off, the grand prize for this year was a cruise vacation, which was won by Rosemary Casaregola, assistant administrator of the Pavilion Senior Residence in Catskill, NY.

Music by a contemporary pianist and singer provided a relaxing atmosphere during the cocktail reception that kicked off Tuesday evening’s events. Besides the delicious meal and music, the Annual Banquet featured a return engagement of our guest speaker, Mark Kissinger, the director for the Office of Long-Term Care for the Department of Health, who reviewed his first year and provided insight to his goals for his office, and for assisted living in the future.

Shimon Lefkowitz produced and presented his annual video that recapped the highlights from 2007 Conference, dedicating it to Lisa Newcomb for her 10th anniversary as ESAAL’s Executive Director.

Last year we started a tradition to honor Benay Phillips who passed away following the 2006 Conference. Benay was a tireless advocate for the assisted living cause, and for the Association. To carry on her memory and work, our Board developed the Annual Benay Phillips Memorial Award, where the Association awards $1,000 for training, education or seminars for any eligible member adult home/enriched housing program/assisted living residence employee(s). Announced during the evening, the award went to Megan Jacques, receptionist, dining room server and resident care aide at Delmar Place in Delmar, NY. Congratulations Megan! You epitomize everything we value and honor in our hardworking caregivers.

The Committee and staff will have a tough road to repeat the success of this year’s conference for next year, but I know they are up to the challenge. They’ll review the evaluation forms that participants submitted and will carefully note the positives and the hiccups of this year to make 2009 Conference even more of a winner!

To everyone that participated: We are grateful for your role, no matter how small or large, in our Conference, and we look forward to seeing you next year. Be sure to visit ESAAL’s website, www.esaal.org, often to be kept informed with the latest news and events within our industry. And, check out the photos from the Conference. If you have Conference photos you wish to share, please email them to Anita Russo at alrusso9@nycap.rr.com so she can add them to our collection.