NADONA Conference Spotlight

The National Association of Directors of Nursing Administration (NADONA) will hold its 25th Annual Conference at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center (2800 Opryland Drive; 615-889-1000; www.gaylordopryland.com) in Nashville, Tennessee from July 21 through July 25.  Attendees at this conference can expect to get updates on the latest regulations being implemented in long-term care (LTC) facilities, learn about the newest clinical and management techniques, collaborate with key thought leaders to improve resident care, and promote educational activities that improve the quality of life within the LTC community.   

Why attend the 2012 NADONA conference?

• Receive up-to-date information on the newest products and enhancements that will improve resident care in the LTC setting
• Gain an understanding of Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement
• Learn to develop a wandering preparedness team for residents with dementia
• Have the opportunity to network with key LTC personnel

Keynote Address

Lisa Thomson, LNHA, will lead the keynote address at the 2012 NADONA/LTC National Conference. This address, “The Age of Champions,” will take place on July 22 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM.

This session will highlight the award-winning documentary, Age of Champions, which follows the lives of 5 competitors who compete for gold at the National Senior Olympics. The insights shared in this documentary have real applications in the LTC setting. The film has been used throughout the country in community screenings and events to promote the message that you are never too old to achieve your dreams. Its fun and inspiring feel is characteristic of the power of positive thinking. The film promotes the concept of healthy aging by making thoughtful daily lifestyle choices to improve both physical and mental wellbeing. Thomson will address the impact of exercise on the mind and body as being an important component to healthy aging in LTC residents.      

Thomson received her degree from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. She has over 25 years of experience in the post-acute and LTC settings and is currently the vice president of Pathway Health Services. Her hands-on leadership style is unparalleled in the industry, as she has been crucial in spearheading leadership teams through a number of organizational changes to establish regulatory compliance, standards of practice, and operational strategies. 

Workshops and Educational Sessions

A number of informative educational workshops and sessions are available throughout the conference. Below is a sampling of some of the workshops and sessions that will be presented, but be sure to check out the full schedule online at
https://www.signup4.net/public/ap.aspx?EID=2012569E&OID=110.

Educational Sessions and Workshops Scheduled for July 21 (Pre-Conference day)
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

• National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners Certification Program
• American Association of Nurse Assessment Coordinators Review Course

Educational Sessions and Workshops Scheduled for July 22
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

• The Age of Champions

12:30 PM – 2:00 PM

• Preventing and Managing Medication Errors

2:15 PM – 3:30 PM

• Planning for Never Events

3:45 PM – 4:45 PM

• Preventing Re-Hospitalizations

7:30 PM – 9:30 PM

• NADONA Debut of The Age of Champions—A PBS Film

Educational Sessions and Workshops Scheduled for July 23
9:45 AM – 11:15 AM

• Health Care Reform and its Effects on Nurse Administrators

2:45 PM – 3:45 PM

• Corporate Compliance
• MDS 3.0 from 10,000 Feet

4:00 PM – 5:30 PM

• Current Legal and Regulatory Challenges in the LTC Continuum

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

• Managing Diabetes in Long-Term Care: Strategies for Long-Term Success

Educational Sessions and Workshops Scheduled for July 24 (Boot Camp Day)
9:15 AM – 10:45 AM

• Managing Re-Hospitalization Outcomes: An Operational Approach

11:00 AM – 12:30 PM

• Writing Effective Plans of Correction

• ADL and Restorative Care: Optimizing your Reimbursement

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

• Managing Falls: The Antigravity Program

• Effective Wound Care with Quality Outcomes with Today’s Staffing Cuts

4:15 PM – 5:30 PM

• Juggling All of the Changes with Day-to-Day Operations (A Balancing Act!) – A Panel Discussion

Educational Sessions and Workshops Scheduled for July 25
(QAPI/Risk Management Assessment)
7:30 AM – 8:45 AM

• A Renewed Focus on Pain Management in the LTC Setting

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM

• Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI): Part 1
• Selecting an Electronic Health Record

10:45 AM – 12:15 PM

• Risk Management Assessment (QAPI): Part 2

In addition to the educational sessions and workshops, a variety of product theaters are scheduled to take place July 22 through July 24. For more information on product theaters, please visit the Web site at https://www.signup4.net/public/ap.aspx?EID=2012569E&OID=50.

Nashville Dining Opportunities

Since this convention will take you deep into the heart of Tennessee, you’ll be faced with dining options that include southern-style cooking and southwestern flavors. Convention attendees will find delicious cuisine right inside the Gaylord Opryland Hotel & Convention Center (www.gaylordopryland.com), as well as some great restaurants just a short ride from where you’re staying.

Inside Your Host Hotel
Lucky for you, there are 10 restaurants featured inside your host hotel and convention center, each providing different atmospheres and great cuisine. Here is a sampling of what you’ll find in the Gaylord Opryland Resort, and be sure to check out the complete list of dining opportunities on the hotel’s Web site.

Old Hickory Steakhouse (615-458-6848) is the epitome of southern-style dining and opulence. This restaurant is set in an antebellum-style mansion, and every table has a view of the restaurant’s indoor river! Old Hickory Steakhouse only serves beef from the prestigious Harris Ranch of the San Joaquin Valley. From Cowboy Bone-In Rib Steak to aged 8 oz. Filet Mignon, steak lovers will not be disappointed. Diners can also choose from a variety of sauces and toppings for their dishes and should definitely consider adding a side dish, such as the Garlic Truffle Mac ‘n’ Cheese or Asparagus & Hollandaise Sauce. An impressive wine list and cheese collection also adds to this top-notch restaurant. Reservations are highly encouraged, and the recommended attire is business casual.

If you’re looking for a true Tennessee dining experience, head over to Jack Daniel’s (615-889-1000), featuring food prepared with local Tennessee products. Try the Fried Delta Catfish to really get a sense of Tennessee cooking. If you can, make sure to save room for dessert favorites such as the Blackberry Cobbler and Whiskey Pecan Pie. This restaurant and bar features live music most nights, so you may want to find your way here at the end of long day to indulge in specialty cocktails and bluegrass tunes.

Looking for a place to relax and unwind at the end of a long day of meetings? Stop into Fuse Sports Club (615-458-6848), where you’ll be met with 100 high-definition televisions, 6 large screen televisions, and sophisticated surroundings. If there’s an important game on, this will be the place to be. Try some of the mouthwatering appetizers such as the Ultimate Nachos and Soft Baked Pretzels, or check out the expansive hot dog section of the menu that features specialties such as the Cincinnati Cheese Coney with chili, onions, and cheddar cheese or the New York City Dog with sauerkraut and spicy mustard.

Ravello (615-458-6848) features Southern Italian cuisine and fresh seafood flavors. Situated in the Conservatory Gardens, diners will feel as though they are sitting on a beautiful, outdoor patio. Diners can opt for either the 3-course tasting menu, 4-course tasting menu, or choose from a variety of pastas and entrées. Some delicious Italian dishes include, Aqua Pazza, a classic spicy seafood stew over pasta, or the Gnocchi with beef tenderloin tips and dolce gorgonzola. If you’re looking for something other than pasta, try the Winter Roasted Chicken or the Pistachio Crusted Salmon. Reservations are suggested and the recommended attire is business casual.

Restaurants in the Area
Great dining doesn’t end once you leave the front doors of the Gaylord Opryland Resort, and visitors looking to get out for a change of scenery will have no problem coming across delicious, satisfying restaurants nearby.

Logan’s Roadhouse (2400 Elliston Place; 615-320-1161; www.logansroadhouse.com) harkens back to the days of the gold rush, prohibition, and the heyday of Route 66 when roadhouses were a big part of American culture. Logan’s Roadhouse seeks to enliven each diner’s experience with welcoming hospitality, upbeat tunes bumping throughout, and a “come-as-you-are” attitude. From flame-grilled steaks, to fresh-ground burgers to baby-back ribs, and more, your mouth will be watering just perusing the menu. Logan’s Roadhouse is also known for its bottomless buckets of in-shell peanuts and ice-cold longnecks.

Demos’ Steak and Spaghetti House (300 Commerce Street; 615-256-4655; www.demosrestaurants.com) is a restaurant that has been in the family for 4 generations and features authentic family recipes that have been passed down for years. The menu is so extensive that there are options that will please everyone! Many of the sauces and accompaniments are made from scratch—even the 6 salad dressings at Demos’ are homemade. And the prices at Demos’ can’t be beat, where 70% of the dinner menu dishes are priced under $10! This is a dining experience you don’t want to miss while you’re in Nashville.

Looking for something other than southern style cuisine? Check out Watanabe (1400 McGavock Pike; 615-226-1112; www.watanabesushibar.com) for sushi and Asian fusion. The dimly lit dining area features dark wood furniture and deep red lighting. The sushi menu is expansive in addition to traditional Asian dishes, such as spicy Korean stew and a variety of fried rice dishes to name a few. Looking for a place to grab drinks rather than dinner? Watanabe also features a beautiful bar, illuminated by soft aqua lighting, in a quiet and relaxed atmosphere. In addition, many past visitors rave about the exceptional service they were met with at Watanabe.

What to Experience in Nashville

Nashville’s nickname is “Music City” because it’s the center of the music industry—namely the country music industry. Nashville surely lives up to its name with tons of music related activities and locations throughout the city, with a total of 35 live music venues in the city. In addition, this historic city also has numerous tours, giving convention attendees plenty to see and do during any downtime.

Serious Country History
When visiting this infamous southern city, there are 2 iconic locations you don’t want to miss: The Grand Ole Opry (2804 Opryland Drive; 615-871-6779; www.opry.com) and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (222 5th Avenue South; 615-416-2001; www.countrymusichalloffame.org).

The Grand Ole Opry, regarded by many as “country’s most famous stage,” is Tennessee’s number 1 attraction and is world-renowned. In November of 1925, the Grand Ole Opry started as a 1-hour radio broadcast—the WSM Barn Dance—that became one of the longest-running broadcasts in history. The Opry got its first permanent stage home in 1943 at the Ryman Auditorium, but moved in 1974 to its current location (2804 Opryland Drive). Since 1943, the biggest country stars have performed on the famous stage. Membership in The Grand Ole Opry is still considered one of the highest achievements in country music culture. Many warrant The Opry as the show that made country music famous. Check the Web site to see who will be performing during the weekly concert while you’re in town, and consider taking in a show at one of the most famous theaters in the world.

The Country Music Association announced in 1961 that it would create the Country Music Hall of fame to honor and preserve country music culture and traditions. The first 3 inductees were Jimmie Rodgers, Fred Rose, and Hank Williams. The actual Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum opened in 1967 on “Music Row” (16th Avenue and Division Street), and moved to its current location (222 5th Avenue) in 2001. Inside the Hall of Fame Rotunda, visitors can tour the bronze plaques that feature facial likeness and biographies of all Hall of Fame honorees. The room was designed in a circular fashion to ensure that all honorees are recognized as equal, each receiving the same amount of space on the wall.

Touring Nashville
What better way to learn the lay of the land than by taking a unique tour led by Nashville experts? Lucky for you, Nashville is packed with fun and interesting tours that you can find throughout the city. Here are a few that may pique your interest.

If you’re looking for a tour that’s historic and spooky, the Nashville Ghost Tours (511 Union Street; 625-884-3999; www.nashvilleghosttours.com) are sure to get your pulse pumping. Nashville Ghost Tours involves 3 different tours—the Haunted Downtown Nashville Tour, the Haunted Hearse Tours, and the Haunted Tavern Tours. Choose the tour that suits you best and take advantage of a hair-raising good time.

If you’re looking to get yourself moving after a long day of sitting in meetings and sessions, then the Haunted Downtown Nashville walking tour is the perfect fit. This 90-minute tour spans half a mile, taking you to Nashville landmarks such as the Ryman Auditorium, the Tennessee State Capitol, and Printer’s Alley. Tours begin at 8:00 PM nightly and your tour guide will lead you with a lantern, winding through the downtown streets of Nashville. For those who are interested in getting familiar with spirits, and not just the spooky kind, then the Haunted Tavern Tours is for you. The 2-hour tour kicks off daily at 6:00 PM, leading guests to the most haunted bars and taverns in Nashville. The tour itself costs $15, and drinks are not included. The newest haunted tour offered is the Haunted Hearse Tours taking place nightly at 8:00 PM and 9:30 PM. Participants sit in a real hearse while the guide recounts eerie ghost stories of Nashville. Reservations are required for all 3 tours, so be sure to call or order online to ensure a spot.

Looking for a tour that’s close to home base? Well then look no further than the Delta Riverboat Tours, which take off right from the Gaylord Opryland Resort. There are 5 flatboats that carry 25 passengers each across the Delta River exploring the 4.5-acre indoor garden. Thanks to the knowledgeable tour guides, you’ll learn about the hotel’s Delta Island, which features an 85-foot fountain, 3 waterfalls, and the many shops and restaurants that the Gaylord Opryland has to offer. Keep your eyes peeled for the 80-pound catfish, Danny, who lives in the Delta River. Cruises dispatch daily between 10:00 AM and 10:00 PM. Contact the hotel concierge for more information.