Hawai‘i Dementia Initiative

Hypertension and Alzheimer’s Disease Risk
2026-01-20 08:00 - 09:00 (Pacific/Honolulu) | Zoom
The National Association of County and City Health Officials is hosting a Cardiovascular Health Community of Practice (CoP) peer-learning session about the connection between Hypertension and Alzheimer’s Disease Risk Reduction. This session will explore the connection between hypertension and Alzheimer’s disease, highlight evidence-based risk reduction strategies, and share practical tools and resources that support local and state public health efforts. Participants will also engage in interactive discussion with peers working in cardiovascular health, brain health, and healthy aging.

Implementing the National Task Group-Early Detection Screen for Dementia (NTG-EDSD)
2026-02-11 08:30 - 12:00 | Queen’s Conference Center, The Queen’s Medical Center, 1301 Punchbowl Street, Honolulu, HI, 96813, United States
Free half-day training that will aid staff at Hawaii agencies and organizations as well as family caregivers to assess, record and observe cognitive function over time in persons aging with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD).
In-person event with remote Zoom uplink available. Parking instructions will be sent to registrants who plan to attend in person. Lunch and handouts will be provided.
After the training, attendees will be able to:
• Describe clinical manifestations, incidence/prevalence, and risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) in persons with Intellectual Disability (ID) with emphasis on Down syndrome
• Share an overview and rationale for use of the NTG-EDSD, an administrative screen designed to detect dementia-related changes in persons aging with ID
• Describe how Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of dementia (BPSD) manifest in persons with IDD
• Develop an approach to managing BPSD that includes behavioral & environmental interventions as primary, and psychotropic medications as secondary, in partnership with healthcare professionals
• Understand how to complete the NTG-EDSD tool with persons aging with ID and their caregivers or whoever knows them best
• Know when the tool can be administered and kept in the person’s records – how and why it can be shared with the person’s physician
• Describe the challenges encountered in accurately diagnosing dementia with individuals living with IDD, and the rationale for using the NTG-EDSD tool to track cognitive changes over time to share with and help physicians with person-centered assessment and treatment options
Trainer: Ritabelle Fernandes, MD, MPH is a Professor at the Dept. of Geriatric Medicine, John A Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii. She is also Medical Director of Population Health at AlohaCare. She is a certified Regional Trainer for the National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices. Dr. Fernandes championed memory clinics across the state to provide comprehensive, person-centered dementia care. She has served on the Doctors workgroup for the State Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia.
Learn more about the work and resources of the National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices.
To find out more about the NTG-EDSD for physicians, staff, advocates, and families, and translation of the tool into other languages: https://www.the-ntg.org/ntg-edsd

The Brain Health Recipe: Ingredients for Healthy Aging
2026-03-16 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Did you know? Results from the U.S. POINTER clinical trial found that key lifestyle interventions improved cognition in older adults at risk of cognitive decline. These positive results underscore the message that healthy behavior has a powerful impact on brain health.
In this webinar, we will explore how positive actions can make a difference in cognitive health, and when combined with a program that targets multiple factors like physical activity, improving nutrition, cognitive and social challenge and health monitoring, we now know it can have a synergistic effect.
Join us to:

Understand what the “U.S. POINTER Recipe” is and how to incorporate it into daily living
Learn the key “ingredients” for brain-healthy aging
Hear about the trial results and implications for future research
Walk away with a simple, doable plan to optimize brain health

SPEAKER: Claire Day has been on staff with the Alzheimer’s Association since 2001. She is the Chief Mission and Program Strategy Officer at the Northern California and Northern Nevada Chapter and as such, oversees all care and support, DEI, operations and research initiatives. Ms. Day is a clinical social worker and received her degree from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. She has more than twenty-five years of experience as a family and professional educator in dementia care. Ms. Day is a member of the California Alzheimer’s Disease Advisory Committee. In 2018, she was appointed the Chapter Lead for the US Study to Protect Brain Health Through Lifestyle Interventions to Reduce Risk (US POINTER) in California in partnership with U.C. Davis. US POINTER , a lifestyle intervention trial, reported out positive topline results in July 2025 .

Addressing Food Insecurity for People Living Alone with Dementia
2026-03-17 08:00 - 09:00 | Zoom
National data indicate that nearly one quarter of older Americans living alone have dementia. This population faces numerous challenges, including food insecurity, which is often worsened by cognitive impairment, limited social support, and physical isolation. Traditional senior meal delivery programs are not always designed to address the unique needs of individuals with cognitive impairment, who may have difficulty safely storing, preparing, or cooking meals.
This webinar will provide insight into an innovative, volunteer-based food delivery model created to better support seniors living alone with dementia. Participants will learn about common barriers to food-based services experienced by individuals living alone with dementia, the key components of an effective food delivery service model for people living alone with dementia, and program evaluation best practices for measuring the impact of services for this population.

Care Home ECHO: Communicating Effectively
2026-03-19 14:00 - 15:00 | Zoom
This one hour Care Home ECHO session covers topics essential for care home and foster home operators. Topics include the 4Ms of geriatrics: What Matters, Medication, Mentation (or Mind) and Mobility which are based on evidence-based practices that support healthy aging.
Dorothy Colby, Certified Positive Approach to Care™ Trainer and Mentor, will teach this session about Communicating Effectively.
Target Audience: Care Home Operators, Care Home Staff, Nurses, Allied Health Professionals, Social Workers, Foster Home Operators, Case Managers, Service Coordinators
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Meeting Communities Where They Are: Innovative Approaches to Dementia Supports and Services
2026-04-07 08:00 - 09:00
Addressing the unique support and service needs of communities is central to effective home- and community-based dementia care. While many dementia-specific interventions are grounded in research and best practices, they often require thoughtful adaptation to effectively reach underserved populations. Supports and services for people living with dementia, their caregivers, and their communities are most impactful when tailored to reflect cultural values, language, and lived experiences.
This webinar will feature two specialized, community-based dementia programs, each focused on an underserved population—African American and Korean American communities. Both programs have adapted their approaches to reduce barriers to service acceptance, increase engagement, and address unmet needs. Together, they will demonstrate strategies for delivering strengths-based, dementia-specific services and supports while navigating and overcoming challenges.
Direct questions to NADRC-Webinars@rti.org
Please note:
NADRC webinars are free and open to the public.
NADRC webinars are recorded and will be posted at https://nadrc.acl.gov/.
Closed captioning is available during the webinar and included in all recordings.

Early Detection of Dementia: What to Do Now — National Resources to Plan, Partner, and Act
2026-04-13 07:00 - 08:00 | Zoom
The BOLD Public Health Center of Excellence on Early Detection of Dementia is pleased to offer an upcoming webinar to discuss new resources that they have developed for our partners, including two new resource guides — one for community-based organizations and one for health departments who are interested in promoting early detection of dementia within and across sectors.
In this conversation they will discuss how to leverage the Center’s resources to assess needs and assets; identify goals and next steps; build and sustain partnerships; and measure and communicate your impact.

Diagnosis and Management of Dementia in Adults with IDD
2026-04-13 13:00 - 14:30
The National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices is hosting an educational series called “Advancing Dementia-Capable Primary Care: Supporting Adults with Intellectual Disabilities.” This series supports primary care clinicians participating in the CMS GUIDE Model and others serving adults with IDD, including Down syndrome. The series provides a practical, step-by-step framework spanning early identification, diagnostic evaluation, medical management, and post-diagnosis care planning.
1 Free CME contact credit will be provided upon attendance and completion of post webinar survey.
This session will be on “Diagnosis and Management of Dementia in Adults with IDD.” Diagnosing dementia in adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) presents unique clinical challenges that can lead to under-recognition or delayed diagnosis. This one-hour educational activity equips primary care clinicians with a structured, IDD-informed diagnostic approach, including how to adapt standard dementia evaluations, identify reversible conditions that mimic dementia, and assess likely dementia etiology. Participants will gain practical guidance on avoiding common diagnostic pitfalls and determining when specialty referral is indicated.
Presenter: Seth Keller, MD. Neurology Associates of South Jersey

Brain Healthy Nutrition - Hawaiʻi Dementia Initiative Coalition Meeting
2026-04-29 15:00 - 16:15 | Zoom
Join our next Hawaiʻi Dementia Initiative Coalition meeting to discover how local flavors and brain-healthy foods can boost brain health, reduce dementia risk, and support overall wellness. We’ll also share updates on the coalition, action teams, and upcoming events.
Presenters:

Heidi Wulzen, MPH, RDN, LD, Founder of Heritage Health
Jordan Smith, MPH, Hawaiʻi Good Food Alliance

Learning Objectives:

Describe the core nutrition principles of the Mediterranean Diet and the MIND Diet.
Identify locally available foods that align with brain‑healthy nutrition guidelines.
Explain how culturally relevant, locally sourced food can promote health equity in Hawaiʻi communities.
Recognize Nutrition Supports Services and eligibility criteria.
Identify the roles of health centers, health care providers and community-based organizations within community care hubs.

Click the flyer link below for the Zoom link or email DOH.Dementia@doh.hawaii.gov.

Managing Cognitive and Behavioral Symptoms in Aging
2026-05-11 12:30 - 13:30 | Zoom
Presenter: Brett Y. Lu, M.D.,PhD, Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry, University of Hawaiʻi, Psychiatrist, Queens Medical Center
At the end of this session, physicians will be able to:

Be more familiar with modifiable risk factors for cognitive/behavioral symptoms in aging.
Become more aware with behavioral symptoms that may require medical intervention.
Manage behavioral symptoms more effectively and safely, particularly in those with dementia.

Intended Audiences: Physicians, nurses, and other allied health staff caring for geriatric patients.

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of The Queen’s Medical Center and the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine. The Queen’s Medical Center is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The Queen’s Medical Center designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Supporting Function and Safety After Diagnosis: Dementia Care Planning for Adults with IDD
2026-05-11 13:00 - 14:30
The National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices is hosting an educational series called “Advancing Dementia-Capable Primary Care: Supporting Adults with Intellectual Disabilities.” This series supports primary care clinicians participating in the CMS GUIDE Model and others serving adults with IDD, including Down syndrome. The series provides a practical, step-by-step framework spanning early identification, diagnostic evaluation, medical management, and post-diagnosis care planning.
1 Free CME contact credit will be provided upon attendance and completion of post webinar survey.
Following a dementia diagnosis, adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) need coordinated, person-centered support. Presented from a nurse practitioner and social work perspective, this one-hour webinar focuses on practical post-diagnosis care planning, highlighting strategies to support function, safety, communication, and collaboration with families, direct support professionals, and community resources.
Presenters: Marie Clouqueur, LICSW and Kathryn Service, RN, M.S., FNP-BC, CDDN

Special Populations and Dementia Care Navigation
2026-05-13 09:00 - 10:00 | Microsoft Teams
Gain insight into dementia care for two unique populations: frontotemporal degeneration (FTD) and those with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD). This session explores the lived experience perspective, strategies for addressing symptoms associated with FTD, the nature of dementia co-occurring with IDD, and strategies to help people living with IDD and dementia.​
Who Should Attend ​

Dementia care program staff​
Social workers, nurses, and care managers​
Primary care and specialty clinicians​
Community-based dementia care partners​
GUIDE providers and navigators

Addressing Cognitive Impairment and Dementia Among Older Adults Experiencing Housing Insecurity and Homelessness
2026-05-14 09:00 - 10:00 | Zoom
Join the National Alzheimer’s and Dementia Resource Center (NADRC) for a webinar that will focus on supporting older adults experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity and cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Participants will learn how to recognize early signs of cognitive impairment in shelters and temporary housing settings and gain practical strategies for engaging seniors in ways that foster meaningful participation.
The session will also explore effective referral and partnership approaches that help connect vulnerable seniors to supportive services and pathways to stable housing. This webinar will offer actionable tools to improve outcomes for one of the most at-risk aging populations.
The presenters are from Phoenix, AZ: Kylee Volk, MPH, Associate Team Leader at Hospice of the Valley and Jackie Solares, Ozanam/De Paul Program Manager at The Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

NADRC webinars are free and open to the public. Registration is required. Webinars are recorded and posted on the NADRC website. Live events and recordings include closed captioning. If you have questions, please email NADRC-Webinars@rti.org.

Dementia-Specific Respite Care: Innovative Programs and Sustainable Pathways
2026-06-10 07:00 - 08:00 | Zoom
The Center for Dementia Respite Innovation (CDRI) is funded by the Administration for Community Living, and administered by the Alzheimer’s Association, to pilot innovative dementia-specific respite programs. The programs are designed to expand access to high-quality, person-centered respite care for people living with dementia and their caregivers. CDRI awards grants to support home and community-based service programs that advance innovation, accessibility, and sustainability in respite services. This webinar will provide a brief overview of CDRI’s funding approach, program structure, and impact to date, followed by presentations from two funded providers highlighting their respite models.
The Care Collective in Boise, Idaho, will discuss their CDRI funded program which is leveraging a volunteer driven, community-based approach to delivering group respite in a faith-based setting. Participants benefit from live music, movement and creative activities, as well as intergenerational visits. The University of Central Arkansas will discuss their Interprofessional Therapeutic Activity Program (I-TAP), which delivers programming through structured activity sessions focused on physical activity, cognitive stimulation, and social engagement. By integrating physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing, and exercise science students into these dementia specific sessions, I-TAP pairs person centered respite for families with essential, supervised clinical training for students.

Managing Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Dementia: Evidence-Based Strategies
2026-06-12 09:00 - 10:00 | Zoom
Learn evidence-based strategies to manage neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia. This webinar covers assessment, responding to acute symptoms, and both non-pharmacological and medication-based approaches—plus how to connect individuals and caregivers to sustainable, effective supports.

Connecting Health Care, Public Health, and Community for Dementia Detection and Care
2026-06-16 06:00 - 08:00
This inaugural forum, hosted by the Gerontological Society of America (GSA), will bring together researchers, clinicians, public health professionals, and community-based organizations to explore innovative, real-world strategies for improving brain health and dementia care.
Designed as an interactive, application-focused experience, the forum will highlight exemplar initiatives and practical solutions aligned with the KAER (Kickstart, Assess, Evaluate, Refer) framework, which supports early detection of cognitive impairment and effective care coordination across clinical and community settings.
June 16, 2026 at 12-2 pm ET (6-8am HST) and June 17, 12-2 pm ET (6-8am HST)
Key highlights include:

Building practical skills to enhance early detection, diagnosis, and connection to dementia care
Showcasing scalable, real-world strategies from clinical and community environments
Encouraging cross-sector collaboration across health care, public health, and community organizations
Focusing on implementation, what’s working now, and how approaches can be adapted locally

Moderated by Drs. Soo Borson and Joshua Chodosh, the forum will feature a mix of faculty presentations, case studies, and peer-driven discussions, with a strong emphasis on actionable insights and shared learning.
This event may be especially valuable for applicants seeking to strengthen their approaches to brain health, dementia detection, and cross-sector collaboration within their proposals.
Registration is discounted for GSA regular members and complimentary for GSA student members. Registration for Non-Members: $69.00

Connecting Health Care, Public Health, and Community for Dementia Detection and Care Copy
2026-06-17 06:00 - 08:00

Dementia, Restraints, and the Regs
2026-06-19 14:00 - 15:00 | Zoom
Healthcare Association of Hawaii is hosting this webinar. Providing care to those living with dementia in nursing facility settings can be complex and rewarding. Having an understanding of various approaches to deal with challenging behaviors is important and impactful to the resident’s quality of life.
Best practice standards indicate that dementia behaviors should be managed without the use of physical or chemical restraints; however, when they are deemed necessary staff members must have knowledge of current CMS regulations and documentation requirements. The interdisciplinary team must make efforts to reduce psychotropic drug use as appropriate and provide compassionate and person-centered care in compliance with regulatory standards.
Join us as we examine strategies to manage challenging behaviors from those living with dementia and discuss physical and chemical restraints, documentation standards, interdisciplinary approaches, and maintaining quality of life in accordance with regulatory compliance.

Learning Objectives

1. Define and describe consequences of physical and chemical restraints
2. Identify strategies to mitigate physical restraint use
3. Describe CMS regulatory requirements related to psychotropic drug use
4. Explore how to apply practice strategies to facilitate the reduction of psychotropic drug use

Target Audience

Interdisciplinary team members working in post-acute and long-term care settings

Speaker: Aida Wen, MD, CMD, Geriatrician and Associate Professor, University of Hawaii at Manoa, John A. Burns School of Medicine

Bridging Care: Community-Clinical Partnerships for Dementia in Hawaiʻi
2026-06-23 08:00 - 11:30 | ʻAlohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach, 2490 Kalākaua Ave, Honolulu, HI, 96815, United States
The Hawaiʻi Dementia Initiative warmly invites you to join us for Bridging Care: Community-Clinical Partnerships for Dementia in Hawaiʻi, an in-person convening focused on strengthening collaboration to better support individuals living with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD). Complimentary breakfast will be served at 8:00 AM. Valet parking validation will be provided.
This morning gathering will bring together healthcare providers, community organizations, and public health leaders to strengthen partnerships that support people living with ADRD. Through shared learning and dialogue, participants will explore best practices for referral systems, care coordination, and integrated service delivery. Grounded in Hawaiʻi’s values and community strengths, this event emphasizes collaboration and collective impact. Participants will leave with practical strategies to enhance community-clinical linkages statewide.
Learning Objectives:

Improved knowledge and awareness of innovations in Hawaiʻi’s dementia care system related to screening, testing, referral, and management of ADRD.
Identify key components of effective community-clinical linkages for ADRD.
Demonstrate knowledge of different roles within a team-based ADRD care model and how collaboration across these roles improves care coordination and health outcomes.
Improved ability to identify practical strategies, based on the participant’s role, to strengthen referral and communication processes that support better ADRD care and outcomes.

This program is Approved by the National Association of Social Workers (Approval # 886993172-2295) for 3.0 continuing education contact hours. 3.0 credit hours for CME, CNE, RD, CHES, & IPCE are approved.
Presenter Biographies:
Mia Taylor is a Family Nurse Practitioner with 40 years of nursing and leadership experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings including oncology, critical care, infectious diseases, care management, hospice and palliative care. Mia’s time at The Queens Health Systems has been devoted to development of community based clinical programs as part of The Queens Clinically Integrated Physician Network and Queens MSSP ACO. Her current role as Director of The Queen’s Physician Network and MSSP ACO including Community & Post-Acute Care Services has allowed her to be involved in the redesign of The Queens primary care delivery system to a team-based care model of care including integrated behavioral health. She is developing an ambulatory continuum of care that fosters community partnerships to improve patient access to timely high quality care.
Cindy D. Losbog, LCSW is a community social worker with 10+ years of experience in medical and community-based social work. She currently works with Queen’s Clinically Integrated Physicians Network, where she supports primary care providers through a cognitive clinical pathway, utilizing the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) to help guide patient care. Her work focuses on home safety assessments, identifying gaps in social determinants of health, caregiver support, and connecting patients and families to community-based resources to promote safe, patient-centered care.
Susan C. Price, MD, is the Chief of the Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Care at Hawai‘i Pacific Health. Raised in Honolulu, she earned her medical degree from St. Louis University School of Medicine and completed her residency, chief residency, and geriatrics fellowship at Barnes-Jewish Hospitals at Washington University School of Medicine. Before returning home in 2018, she served for two decades as a Medical Director in the Division of Geriatrics and Extended Care at the Palo Alto VA Medical Center and as a clinical instructor at Stanford School of Medicine. She joined the HPH Geriatrics team in 2019 and became division chief in 2022. Her current work centers on directing the GUIDE program, a CMS-funded initiative aimed at developing an effective model for dementia care.
Diane Terada, MSW, LSW, is the Division Administrator of the Community & Senior Services Division, one of four program divisions of Catholic Charities Hawai̔ʻi (CCH). CCH is a private, nonprofit social service agency serving people in need in the state of Hawaiʻi since 1947. She has helped initiate services for persons living with dementia and their caregivers, as part of CCH’s Circle of Care for Dementia Project, funded through the Administration on Community Living’s Alzheimer’s Disease Project Initiatives. Diane has over 35 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, working in the field of aging, as well as over 15 years of experience as a family caregiver.
Instructions for Accommodations: We welcome all participants to our events. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event because of a disability, please email us as soon as possible.

Bridging Healthcare and Social Services for People Living with Dementia and their Caregivers
2026-06-24 07:00 - 08:00 | Zoom
As the number of people living with dementia (PLWD) continues to increase, addressing their needs—and those of their caregivers—has become more important. Coordination of comprehensive care and support services across community-based organizations and healthcare systems is necessary to achieve better health outcomes which allow for both people living with dementia and their caregivers to remain in their homes and communities.
In this webinar, panelists will discuss how their organizations integrate healthcare and social services to better support people living with dementia and their caregivers. They will highlight successful program elements, share challenges faced in implementation and expansion, and offer recommendations for healthcare systems and community-based organizations working to bridge gaps between medical health care and social services.
This webinar is hosted by the National Alzheimer’s Disease Resource Center.

Brain Health Summit
2026-06-27 08:30 - 11:30 | John A. Burns School of Medicine, Medical Education Building, Multipurpose Room 102 651 Ilalo St, Honolulu, HI, 96813, United States
The Alzheimer’s Association Brain Health Summit brings together Hawaii’s leading researchers and experts to share the latest research updates and breakthroughs in the understanding, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease and related forms of dementia.

Join us for a dynamic morning dedicated to the latest advances in brain health and hear directly from our lineup of local experts as they share fresh insights into neuroscience and cognitive health.
This free, half-day summit will spotlight new research, emerging diagnostics and therapeutic approaches, including disease-modifying treatments available in Hawaii and key lifestyle interventions that can keep our brains healthy and reduce our risk of cognitive decline.

The Role of Community Health Workers in Comprehensive Dementia Care
2026-07-09 09:00 - 10:00
Join the National Dementia Care Collaborative for a free, virtual event on Thursday, July 9th at 9AM HST / 3PM EST/ 12 PST. BRI Care Consultation™ Learning Collaborative will present The Role of Community Health Workers in Comprehensive Dementia Care.
Community Health Workers are increasingly recognized as valuable members of interdisciplinary care teams, helping improve access to care, strengthen community connections, and support individuals living with dementia and their family and friend caregivers. Marquita Rockamore, MA, GCDF, C-CHW, Executive Director, Health Industry Solutions Training Academy, in the Workforce Innovation at Cuyahoga Community College will provide an overview of the education and training that prepare community health workers for the workforce, as well as an outline of their appropriate scope of practice and the level of supervision and collaboration needed to ensure quality care.
The presentation will also feature Laura Gano, PhD, MPH, Director of Operations, Indiana University School of Medicine’s Geriatrics Division, who will overview the Aging Brain Care (ABC) program, an evidence-based dementia care model that leverages community health workers as care navigators to deliver ongoing care coordination, caregiver support, symptom monitoring, and education under clinical supervision.
Finally, participants will hear firsthand from Kelsie Owen, MPA, Vice President of Nutrition & Population Health at Aging and In-Home Services of Northeast Indiana, an Area Agency on Aging that implements the Aging Brain Care program using community health workers, including their insights into training and implementation, the program impact, and lessons learned. This webinar will be moderated by Morgan Minyo, PhD, Research Scientist at Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging.

Food is Medicine - Brain Health (Care Home ECHO)
2026-07-16 14:00 - 15:00 | Zoom
Presenter: Heidi Wulzen, MPH, RDN, LD, Founder & Consultant, Heritage Health

Dementia Training for Kalaupapa
2026-07-21 14:00 - 16:00
This Positive Approach to Care (PAC) Approved workshop helps learners understand and recognize the differences in normal and not normal aging. The learner will develop better observational skills to recognize and intervene effectively when behavioral challenges occur. Learners will also develop new skills related to approach, cueing, and the ability to connect with people affected by dementia. The workshop will also address typical changes that happen in the early, middle, and late stages of the condition including the final care concerns.
Workshop Objectives:

Compare and contrast normal aging versus not normal aging related to various cognitive functions.
Describe the five sensory input and processing systems, highlighting the dominant role of vision, and the major differences between protective and discriminating sensation in each.
Discuss the impact of changing sensory awareness and processing as dementia progresses.
Demonstrate how to communicate well with people living with dementia and practice de-escalation strategies for dealing with behaviors.

Presenter: Courtney DiMaggio, RN, Positive Approach to Care Certified Independent Trainer
Born and raised on the island of Molokaʻi, Courtney DiMaggio is a devoted wife, mother, and daughter, as well as a dedicated Registered Nurse. She is honored to serve the community that helped shape her and remains committed to giving back with humility, respect, and aloha.

Neuroscience Symposium - From Inflammation to Intervention, Neuroimmune Crossroads: Mechanisms, Models, and Medicine
2026-08-01 07:00 - 16:00 | Koʻolau Ballrooms, 45-550 Kionaole Rd, Kaneohe, HI, 96744, United States
Neuroinflammation lies at the intersection of immune signaling, neural circuitry, and disease progression. Over the past decade, extraordinary advances have deepened our understanding of microglial activation states, peripheral immune infiltration, cytokine signaling cascades, and the long-term consequences of inflammatory stress on cognition and behavior.
The challenge before us is clear:

How do we move from descriptive findings to actionable therapeutic targets in brain tumors, migraine, sleep disorders, and epilepsy?
How do we design interventions that modulate inflammatory pathways without disrupting essential neuroimmune communication in multiple sclerosis (MS), CIDP, epilepsy, headache disorders, and myasthenia gravis?
How can we integrate biomarkers, advanced imaging, and AI-driven computational models to predict therapeutic response in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease?

This conference is a call to refine our tools and bridge the gap between mechanism and intervention. As we move from neuroinflammation to neurointervention, we are not merely mapping pathways—we are building bridges: between academia, clinical science, industry, government, and advocacy communities.
Join us as more than 250 members of the interdisciplinary neuroscience community—spanning neurology, psychiatry, immunology, psychology, neurosurgery, and translational research—come together to transform neuroinflammation from a diagnostic clue into a therapeutic opportunity.

2026 Hawai‘i Community Health Worker Association Conference
2026-08-07 08:00 - 16:00 | Koʻolau Ballrooms, 45-550 Kionaole Rd, Kaneohe, HI, 96744, United States
The Hawaiʻi Community Health Worker Association is gathering Community Health Workers and allies for a one-day conference to continue growing and supporting the Hawaiʻi CHW workforce.
This year’s theme, “Waves of Change: Celebrating Community Health Workers’ Impact Across Hawaiʻi,” reminds us of something deeply rooted in who we are as poʻe Hawaiʻi. Like the ocean that surrounds us, change is constant, powerful, and interconnected. Each wave carries energy forward, just as Community Health Workers carry ʻike, compassion, and service into the communities they serve.
Objectives

Identify the role of Community Health Workers in improving access to culturally appropriate care, addressing health disparities, and promoting social justice throughout Hawaiʻi

Motivate and increase CHW involvement in advocacy efforts that relate to the growth of their profession.

Continue the discussion and development with CHW allies and employers on efforts to strengthen the CHW profession.
Continue the growth of the Hawai‘i Community Health Worker Association.

Join us to partner with and support Community Health Workers throughout Hawaiʻi!

Driving and Dementia
2026-08-10 12:30 - 13:30 | Zoom
Dr. Gina Fujikami, Geriatrician at Queen’s Medical Center and Clinical Assistant Professor of Geriatric Medicine at the University of Hawaiʻi, and Ivy Castellanos, Director of Programs at Alzheimer’s Association of Hawaiʻi, will be presenting on “Driving and Dementia” via Zoom to the Department of Geriatric Medicine Grand Rounds, on Monday, August 10, 2026 from 12:30-1:30pm (HST).
At the end of this session, physicians will be able to identify potential driving concerns in patients with dementia and how to best counsel patients on stopping driving symptoms in aging.
Intended Audiences: Physicians, nurses, and other allied health staff caring for geriatric patients.
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of The Queen’s Medical Center and the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine. The Queen’s Medical Center is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The Queen’s Medical Center designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Research Workshop on Comprehensive Dementia Care Models: GUIDE and Other Models
2026-08-28 04:00 - 05:00 | Zoom
The purpose of this one-day virtual workshop is to bring together experts in the field to include current NIH grantees and future NIH applicants focused on the GUIDE model and/or other comprehensive dementia care models. The workshop will discuss differential access to GUIDE, impact of payment models in quality of care or access to care, and additional data that could be beneficial to researchers or GUIDE model healthcare providers. Furthermore, the workshop will address comprehensive dementia care models’ utility and challenges across the full disease continuum. The workshop participants will identify potential research opportunities for dementia care coordination models and discuss available and needed data to address research gaps. Outputs should also inform researchers, patients, families, health systems, and federal partners working with GUIDE and other dementia care coordination programs.
