Every Resident Has a Story:  Using Life Histories to Create Meaningful Care 

OVERVIEW

A patient’s chart tells you the facts—but it doesn’t tell you the person. Learn how uncovering each patient’s life story can lead to more meaningful engagement, individualized support, and better outcomes, especially for those living with dementia. This interactive session explores practical strategies for recognizing preferences, interpreting behavioral cues, and developing activity programming that reflects each person’s unique history, interests, and goals while supporting CMS expectations for individualized care. Come prepared to participate, collaborate, and leave with ideas you can immediately put into practice.

Learning Objectives

• Describe how understanding a patient’s life story supports individualized care and meaningful engagement, particularly for individuals living with dementia.
• Identify strategies for recognizing verbal and nonverbal cues that reveal patient preferences, interests, and unmet needs.
• Apply practical approaches to designing activities and daily interactions that align with each patient’s personal history, values, and CMS expectations for individualized care.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

Administration, Nursing, CNAs, Social Workers/Designees, Activity/Recreation Professionals, Long-Term Care Facilities; Assisted Living Centers

CE’s: Earn up to 3 CE

DATE

Tuesday, November 10, 2026

TIME

9:30 am-11:45 pm CST

LOCATION

Online.

Virtual Link: Class Material and Zoom link will be sent two days prior

FACULTY

Cat Selman

Educator. Motivator. Communicator. Consultant. Author. Catherine R. “Cat” Selman uses her dynamic personality and compelling presence to spread the message of continued education motivation for any given professional field. As a seasoned lecturer, Cat has more than 30 years of experience in management, social work, activities/recreation, education and consultation.

As a speaker in all fifty states, Cat is in demand and on topic. Her sessions can be from one hour to six hours. Whether short or long, it doesn’t matter – the audience is transfixed! Their attention comes not only from the impact of Cat’s message but also from her qualification to deliver it. Her career history includes:

• President/Co-Founder, The Cat Selman Company/The Healthcare Communicators, Inc.
•       Co-Founding Director, Quality of Life Alliance
• Division Marketing Manager, National Heritage, Inc.
• Corporate Activities and Social Work Consultant, National Heritage, Inc.
• Director of Social Services and Activities, Floadrian Manor

FEES

Provider and Business Members: $139
Non-members: $239