Adult Care Home Conference

The Adult Care Home Conference will be held on Monday, June 9, 2025 at OMSI. This conference is open to all Multnomah County adult care homes and Oregon-based adult foster homes. Register now!

Adult Care Home Conference Save the Date

Learn From Industry Experts

The 2025 Adult Care Home Conference will be returning to OMSI on Monday, June 9. 

Register Now

Learning sessions include:

Care Plans  |  Horticulture Therapy  |  Income Taxes  |  Power of Attorney  |  Build Your Business Team  |  And More!

See Full Conference Schedule

Attendees will enjoy:

  • Breakfast and lunch buffets
  • Vendor fair
  • Networking opportunities
  • Raffle prizes
  • Free giveaways!
OMSI Jurassic World exhibit

Plus adult care home residents can explore OMSI for free! The featured exhibit will be Jurassic World by Brickman. Experience Jurassic World, the blockbuster franchise, through 6 million LEGO bricks, including large-scale LEGO brick dinosaurs, props, scenes and activities. Other exhibits include Knowing Nature: Stories of the Boreal Forest, the Paleontology Lab and Earth Lab. Plus we will have a series of planetarium shows available to residents!

OMSI exhibits are designed to be enjoyed by all ages, and are appropriate for most residents. Caregivers can enter for free while accompanying a resident.

Five motorized scooters are available to attendees and residents to explore the museum with ease. Scooters are available on a first come, first served basis.

 

Register and Pay Early to Save Money!

Register Now

Early Bird RegistrationMonday, March 3 – Wednesday, April 30$60
Regular RegistrationThursday, May 1 – Friday, June 6$85
Conference Day RegistrationMonday, June 9$100

To pay your conference fee, call the ACHP at 503-988-3000 after you register online. You can also register and pay in person at the ACHP office. The office is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Event Date: Monday, June 9

Time: Provider check in and breakfast begins at 7 a.m. The first learning session begins at 8:15 a.m.

Location: OMSI, 1945 SE Water Ave, Portland, OR 97214

CEUs: 8

Meals: Breakfast and lunch included. 

Resident and vendor

Drinks and light refreshments will be available for residents and their accompanying caregivers, while supplies last.

Parking: Free in lot next to the building for easy access. You can also reach OMSI on TriMet.

Just like last year, OMSI will be closed to the public. Residents and their assigned caregivers can explore OMSI for free any time between 9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Caregivers or other staff who want to attend the conference sessions and earn CEUs must register and pay for the conference. 

 

Conference Schedule

Session Option 1Session Option 2Session Option 3
7 – 8 a.m.
Breakfast buffet and conference attendee check-in
8:15 – 9:45 a.m.

Emergency Preparedness

An empowering and informative workshop designed to help you become better prepared for the challenges posed by emergencies, ranging from extreme weather and wildfires to the Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake. You’ll learn how to prepare for the disasters most likely to affect Multnomah County. We will highlight how your biggest asset in preparedness is building relationships within your community.

Presented by Lydia Ledgerwood-Eberlein, senior analyst - community capacity building, County Office of Emergency Management.

Maximizing Meal Enjoyment While Managing the Food Budget

A multifaceted approach to streamlining meal preparation from purchasing and preparation to food storage. From a focus on culture surrounding food as community within a home and the impact upon nutrition for the individual, as well as approaches to special diets that can support success.

 Presented by Kate Baker, chef AC

Care Planning (Part 1 of 2) How to Evaluate and Document Individual Needs

Learn the importance of identifying and documenting each person's abilities based on their independence, and how to determine the level of assistance that may be needed to achieve each activity of daily living.

Presented by Linda Bifano, DNP, MPA, RN; Oregon Community Based Services Consultant;  Oregon Care Partners

9:30 a.m.
Resident check in begins and OMSI museum exhibits open
10:15 – 11:45 a.m.
Medication Management, presented by Pharmacist Jared Isse, owner of Isse Pharmacy Services

Building Your Small Business Support Team 

As your business grows, you will encounter both challenges and successes. While you may have a strong understanding of the services you offer, there will be times when seeking professional assistance can make a significant difference. This is why it is essential to build a network of trusted experts you can rely on for specialized advice.

Learn the importance of having personal contacts in place, such as your business banker, lawyer, accountant or bookkeeper, computer/information technology expert, nurse practitioner, and SBDC adviser. Building these relationships proactively can help you navigate obstacles and position your business for long-term success. This panel discussion explores the key benefits that each member of your professional small business team can bring to your operations.

Facilitated by Diana Moreno, director of the Mt. Hood Community College Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

Panel presenters include:

  • Jay McRostie, attorney at law
  • U. Nekol Pyle, accountant
  • David Figurate, small business specialist, US Bank
  • Sean Rooney, owner, Green Duck Technologies, LLC

Care Planning (Part 2 of 2), How to Identify and Use "Person Centered Care" to Document Individual Preferences 

Learn the importance of knowing how to use person-centered care approaches and language to document individual care/service plans. Each person is unique and their care plan must reflect their routines and preferences for how and when all care/services are provided.

Presented by Linda Bifano, DNP, MPA, RN; Oregon Community Based Services Consultant;  Oregon Care Partners

12 – 1 p.m.
Networking luncheon
1:15 – 2:15 p.m.

How to Keep Your Residents Steady and on Their Feet

Balance, strength, and changes in overall health can place your residents at risk for falling. This presentation will review fall risk factors, home safety and mobility, medications and medical issues related to fall risk.

Presented by Christina Howell, physical therapist at Providence PACE

Making Space for Grief: Dealing with Loss As a Caregiver

Caring for residents in an adult care home is personal and meaningful. But saying goodbye is a part of the job, and it can be hard. In this session, we will talk about grief what it is, how it feels, and how to cope when a resident passes away. Whether you are grieving a resident you were close to or one you struggled to care for, we will explore ways to handle these emotions. We will also share simple ways to take care of yourself while continuing to give kind and loving care to others.


Presented by Morgan Clemenhagen RN and Jennifer Nash, MSW, with Housecall Providers

Horticultural Therapy in Adult Care Homes: Promoting Wellness Through Nature 

Residents invited to join session for activities!

Join us for an exciting exploration into the wonders of nature through horticultural therapy! Discover three simple, at-home activities and engage in one hands-on workshop with provided materials.

Presented by Liz Farrell, therapeutic activity specialist at Earthtones Northwest

2:45 – 4 p.m.

Income Taxes for Your Care Home (State and Private)

Filing taxes for your care home may seem complicated and expensive, but it doesn't have to be. Whether your care home is private or state, or even a mix of both, we can provide you with the proper knowledge to make sure you're filing your taxes with the best possible outcome. Considering selling your care home? One small mistake can end up costing you thousands of dollars in additional taxes. This workshop will be covering all tax related questions for your care home and provide insight on deductible expenses you may not be taking advantage of. Come prepared with questions!

Presented by Estera Gabor; accountant, licensed tax preparer, and enrolled agent; Balance Tax & Payroll Services, Inc.

Guardianship, Conservatorship and Powers of Attorney: The Basics and The Differences 

As a caregiver or service provider, navigating the different types of legal decision-making can be confusing. Kristin Riley will provide an overview of guardianship and conservatorship, and the fundamentals about the role and scope of authority for people who have been determined to be legally incapacitated. Tim McNeil will provide an overview of the different types of powers of attorney and the distinction of how these roles, purposes and responsibilities differ from a guardian.

Presented by: 

  • Timothy M. McNeil, attorney, The Elder Law Firm
  • Kristin Riley, LCSW, NCG, public guardian and conservator with the Multnomah County Public Guardian & Conservator Office

From Burnout to Resiliency 

We will define burnout, discuss symptoms and warning signs, and explore ways you can mitigate burnout in your care home. With this trauma informed foundation, we will switch our focus to the challenges and opportunities of building workplace resiliency as an antidote to burnout. Throughout the workshop, we will practice brief resiliency building exercises that you can use individually and take back to your team.

Presented by Lesley Delapaz, Multnomah County trauma informed care coordinator

4:15 p.m.
Raffle, prizes provided by Synkwise!

 

Conference Vendors and Sponsors

Do you know a company that may be interested in becoming a vendor or breakfast sponsor? Refer them to ACHP Communications Coordinator Jenny Furniss, jenny.furniss@multco.us.

The county is very limited on the amount of money we are allowed to pay for breakfast and lunch for conference attendees. Vendor fees, as well as lunch and snack sponsors, allow us to provide better meals for everyone, plus snacks and drinks.

 

Thank You to our Breakfast Sponsor!

Thank you to Gracious Care Hospice!

Gracious Care Hospice Logo

 

Thank you to TriMet!

TriMet Logo

 

Thank You to our Lunch Sponsors!

Thank you to Synkwise! Synkwise is also providing our raffle prizes again this year.

Synkwise logo

Thank you to Oregon Care Home Consulting & Training!

Oregon Care Home Consulting & Training logo

 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Question: Can I bring children?

No, children may not come to this event. Some residents need space and quiet to explore the exhibits comfortably. Other residents may not be allowed around children.

Question: Can I bring my residents with me at 7 a.m?

Yes, but we encourage you to wait and have caregivers bring residents no earlier than 9:30 a.m. OMSI requires that their staff be present in exhibit spaces. OMSI staff start at 9:30 a.m. so exhibit areas will be closed until then.

Question: Can I bring my residents to learning sessions?

No, in general residents should not plan on attending learning sessions. One exception is the learning session on Horticultural Therapy, from 1:15 – 2:15 p.m. Residents are encouraged to join Horticultural Therapy for an interactive activity!

Question: Are caregivers required to come with residents?

Depending on residents' needs, caregivers may need to accompany them. If residents are independent, they can come on their own. Otherwise a caregiver will need to accompany the residents. If a resident requires a one-on-one caregiver, they will need to be accompanied by a one-on-one caregiver at the event.

OMSI is an environment of visual, auditory and tactile stimulation. The museum is designed to be an accommodating space, but if your resident gets overwhelmed by this type of stimulus, you should have a plan in place to assist them, or consider the appropriateness of inviting them or not. 

Question: I didn’t include my resident’s name in the registration form and now he wants to attend. Is he allowed to come to the event?

Yes, residents and their accompanying caregivers are allowed to attend whether or not they are included in the registration.

Question: Will there be a quiet space to take a break?

Yes, there will be two designated quiet rooms if you or your resident need a break.

Question: When will I get my eight CEUs?

CEUs will be issued via email after the event. 

Question: Am I required to attend all four learning sessions to receive eight CEUs?

Yes, you will be required to check in to one learning session per time slot (four in total) in order to receive eight CEUs.

Question: Will the Adult Care Home Program office be open on Monday, June 9?

No, the Adult Care Home Program office will be closed due to the conference. No inspections or monitoring visits will be scheduled. 

 

2023 Conference Photo Gallery

Steve Esser and conference attendees

 

Steve Esser and conference attendees

 

Synkwise
Caregivers and residents
Housecall Providers

 

Stefannie Henderson and conference attendee
Kate Baker
Conference attendees look at program
Dion C. Jordan
Dion C. Jordan
Steve Esser and conference attendees
Toi Gibson
Adult Care Home Program Staff
Last reviewed October 16, 2023