2024 Caring for the Caregiver - Caregiver Summit

Nancy has 30+ years in aging and home-based services. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in public and human service administration from Minnesota State University Moorhead. As the director of the HHS Adult and Aging Services Section, she has spent the last 24 years focusing on expanding community-based services and quality of life for older adults and people with disabilities in North Dakota.

A gerontologist, and nationally known dementia educator and communication coach, is the founder of Gemini Consulting, based in Cold Spring, Minn. She spends most of her time in skilled nursing homes, assisted living centers and memory care neighborhoods, helping team members become the best dementia communicators they can be. Erin has always cherished opportunities to connect with families. A recent diagnosis in her own family has added depth to her knowledge that only those who have a loved one with dementia can understand. She knows what it is like to grieve the person’s losses while celebrating their remaining strengths. Erin is a certifi ed activity director with a master’s degree in in gerontology.

Josh is the state director for AARP North Dakota. He had previously served as the associate state director for advocacy for the organization. Josh has a broad background in advocacy and election work, having worked on Capitol Hill, as a campaign consultant, lobbyist, appointee and served two terms in elected local office as a Bismarck City Commissioner. He received a master’s degree from the Graduate School of Political Management at The George Washington University. He is an avid endurance athlete who has completed two Ironman triathlons, multiple half Ironman triathlons and time qualified and completed the Boston Marathon. Josh resides in Bismarck with his wife Crystal and his three children.

Roxanne is a registered nurse and board-certifi ed nurse life coach. After caring for patients, elderly parents, and herself, she came to realize there is nothing more important than our health and well-being. Using a combination of science-backed Western and holistic medicine, she believes wellness can be achieved at any point in your life, whether you are healthy of not. You deserve to live well and thrive!

Christiana has been the kinship navigator for the Kinship-ND program for the HHS Children and Family Services Section for three and a half years. She previously worked for the TRIO Student Support Services grant at Dickinson State University for eight years. Christiana has a unique understanding of the needs of kinship families as a former foster parent, kinship youth, and has many family members who have been kinship caregivers. She has a master’s degree in human services and a bachelor’s degree in cross cultural studies.

Although this event is free, registration is required as a free lunch will be provided and venue space is limited. Please register early to secure your spot. You can register on our Eventbrite page. 

For registration questions, email lifespanrespite@nd.gov.

All summit activities will be at the Bismarck Public Schools Career Academy, 1221 College Drive, Bismarck, ND 58501. For general questions about the summit, email lifespanrespite@nd.gov.

North Dakota Health & Human Services Adult and Aging Services Section
North Dakota Lifespan Respite Grant
AARP North Dakota
Minot Commission on Aging Inc.
Charle’s Angels of Caring – Hettinger, North Dakota
Lions Club
Northland PACE Program

Presenter Handouts 

Coming soon!