The Heartland Caregiving Conference

Conference Agenda At-A-Glance

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*Just like life, time and activities subject to change

PRESENTER BIOS

Nancy Baum

Nancy is a 200 RYT Yoga Instructor. She received her Chair Yoga certification from Kripalu Center For Yoga & Health in Stockbridge, MA. She is also a certified Cardio Drumming instructor through Fit Group USA.

Ron Braun

Ron Braun and his wife, Jamie, have owned the CarePatrol franchise for the KCMO area since 2019. CarePatrol is the leading Senior Placement agency in the nation helping thousands of seniors and families each year. CarePatrol’s primary function is to find safe and appropriate senior living options from staying safely at home to Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care and Long Term Nursing Care. But beyond their main function, Ron and his team use their expertise and extensive network of resources to help seniors and their families get the help they need. As a Certified Senior Advisor, Ron has a passion for education and a desire to build his own knowledge of additional resources that can help seniors and caregivers.

Sarah Crews

Sarah Crews has been working in the field of death care since 2007. She holds a Master’s degree in Aging and End of Life. Sarah is the founding director of Heart Land Prairie Cemetery (HLPC), a prairie restoration burial ground in Central Kansas. She is also a home funeral guide and end-of life/deathcare educator. To learn more about Sarah’s work listen to the podcast, A Path Home, that she developed and hosts for the National Home Funeral Alliance.

Dawn Crouch

Since 2005 Dawn has helped her clients create rock solid foundations that can stand the storms of life. If you ask her what she does she’s likely to answer “”I demystify insurance.”” She firmly believes that with the proper understanding, you are perfectly positioned to make the best decision for yourself. She founded Safe Oasis Insurance to have total control of the sales experience her clients go through. No smoke and mirrors. No fancy wording and sales tactics to trap you into saying ‘yes’.

Dawn is also the founder of the Aging Parent Answer Team a group of professionals who have teamed up to be a resource for busy people who are caring for an aging parent. We recognize the time and effort it takes to find answers to the many questions you are facing. Who has time to search for answers one at a time? The Aging Parent Answer Team has free events all around KC each Spring and Fall and answers questions from a live audience…absolutely NO PowerPoint presentations allowed, just real answers to real questions!

Olivia Fry

Olivia is a registered and licensed Occupational Therapist in Kansas and Missouri. She has been practicing as an Occupational Therapist for over 8 years. Her experience is across a multitude of practice settings including the hospital, outpatient rehab/hand therapy, inpatient rehab, and with teletherapy services for pediatrics and adults. Olivia has her Senior Home Safety Specialist designation with Age Safe America. She is proud to represent Thrive Homes as their Clinical Specialist in Home Modifications

Rachel Hiles

Rachel is founder of Sandwiched KC and an aspiring local celebrity do-gooder in Kansas City. She is a proud alum of UMKC, where she obtained her B. A. in Spanish Literature and Language and later an MPA with an emphasis in nonprofit management. She worked in the disabilities field in a variety of roles for over 13 years. She launched her business, nth degree media & designs, in 2018 to gain flexibility in her role as caregiver to her grandma. In addition to caring for her grandma, she cared for an older loved one with developmental disabilities until he passed away.  She completed her caregiving mission in 2022 and now is dedicated to improving the lives of those who are caring for family members.

Bonnie Mahar Smith

Having experienced the frustration and grief (as well as the silver linings!) of aging parents and dementia in my own family, I left my career in corporate communications to work with caregivers and families as they support their own loved ones through their aging journeys. For the past 12 years, my world has been centered around senior needs: hospice, Alzheimer’s and other dementias, and the array of services and resources in our communities to enrich lives and safety of our most vulnerable elders. For the past five years, I’ve been employed by Benton House Assisted Living and Memory Care, and serve on the Board for Northland Shepherd’s Center.

Heather McCoy

Heather is the residential sales and outreach coordinator at Bishop Spencer Place, Saint Luke’s continuing care retirement community. She handles sales in all levels of care as well as oversees all outreach levels to the community. She is wife to Tim and mom to Vivian and enjoys being outdoors and cooking with her family.

Brittani Rhoades

With nearly 20 years of experience in the culinary and hospitality industry plus non-profit management, Brittani Rhoades (she/they) is deeply passionate about creating and delivering memorable experiences for families. She has a B.S. in Culinary and Hospitality Management from the International Culinary School at The Art Institute of California, then ran a successful personal chef business for over a decade.

Currently, as Lifestyle Director, Brittani oversees the operations and quality of lifestyle programs and services across independent living, assisted living, and memory care, ensuring purposeful engagement for residents, their families, and caregivers at Meadowbrook Senior Living. In addition to their operational role, they manage the Dial 4 Seniors Foundation, which provides support to underserved seniors connected to Dial Senior Living.

While curating a personal and professional network of supportive and passionate associates, who share values of honesty, generosity, and efficiency, Brittani is dedicated to fostering a nurturing and enriching environment for all ages and abilities. In her personal life, she attempts many hobbies, has 2 daughters in elementary school, a spouse researching and writing a dissertation about early childhood education, and a chronic health condition.

Niki Staab

Niki Staab is a compassionate professional who has dedicated her life to supporting individuals and their loved ones during the challenging journey of end-of-life care. With a deep understanding of the emotional and physical needs that arise during this time, Niki brings comfort, guidance, and a sense of peace to those she serves. In 2019, Niki completed her training with the International End of Life Doula Association (INELDA), enhancing her expertise in providing comprehensive end-of-life care. As an end-of-life doula, Niki works closely with individuals nearing the end of their lives, as well as their families and hospice teams, to ensure that their final days are filled with dignity, comfort, and support. Niki’s commitment to her community extends beyond her work as a doula. She serves as a regional facilitator for the National End of Life Doula Alliance (NEDA), helping to mentor other doulas on their journey.

Niki’s services encompass a wide range of support options tailored to meet the unique needs of individuals and their families. From respite care and light housework to advanced care planning, vigil planning, and guided meditation. Additionally, her ordination allows her to provide celebration of life planning, ensuring that loved ones have the opportunity to honor and remember their departed family members in a meaningful and personalized way. Through her unwavering commitment, empathy, and extensive skill set, Niki brings solace and comfort to individuals and families during one of life’s most challenging phases. Her holistic approach to end-of-life care, combined with her passion for supporting others, makes her an invaluable resource for those in need.

Amy Vance

Amy Vance MS, DTR Bachelor’s in Dietetics and a Master’s in Kinesiology from the University of Central Missouri. She has spent over a decade working with older adults, teaching a variety of programs across the Northland. In 2024 she opened a new senior center in Platte City to meet a need and centralize her programs. Along with her work with older adults, Amys is a Dietetic Technician, Registered and uses her nutrition background to teach hands on cooking class. Besides nutrition, Amy teaches a variety of group fitness classes including yoga and tai chi. She believes in living a balanced life through healthy life choices.

2024 Resource Shopping Exhibitors

Mid-America Regional Council Aging & Adult Services
AARP Missouri
Jewish Family Services Older Adult Services
CarePatrol of KCMO
Saint Luke’s Bishop Spencer Place
qualOT of Life
T-Mobile Accessibility
Synergy Home Care
KC Fashion Quartz
CBD American Shaman
Mobile Medical
Family Solutions for Care
Better at Home Services
Lifescape Law & Development
PACE KC Adult Wellness Center
Heart Land Prairie Cemetery
Mid-Continent Public Library
Oak Street Health
Stockton and Kandt, LLC Estate Planning & Elder Law
Beth Cree, Realtor