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LIVING BETTER TOGETHER COPD CONFERENCE 2018:

Thursday, November 15, 2018

This one-day learning event brought together individuals living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), their caregivers, and health care providers. Educational sessions provided health information and strategies to empower people living with COPD to more effectively manage their disease.

The conference was held at the Meridian Banquets & Conference Center in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, an intimate space that makes it easy for those with mobility challenges to participate in all of the conference offerings.

Thank you to all who attended the 2018 Living Better Together COPD Conference. View photos from this year’s event on our Flickr.

2018 Conference Sponsors

PRESENTING SPONSOR

Sunovion

LEAD SPONSOR

Boehringer Ingelheim

OXYGEN SPONSOR

Health Care Solutions Group, Inc.

SESSION SPONSORS

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois

Keynote

The title of 2018’s keynote panel discussion was Living Everyday with COPD.

An expert panel of health care providers offered practical tips for living well.

Education Sessions

In addition to the keynote, participants will attend morning and afternoon education sessions. Choices include:

2018 Morning Education Sessions

1. Understanding COPD Medication Presentation slides here.

Learn about COPD medications and practice how to use COPD medication devices properly with the support of health care providers.

2. Got Oxygen? Oxygen Use in Your Daily Life Presentation slides here and here.

Learn about various oxygen devices on the market and gain insight into which device may work best for you.

3. Mindfulness-Centering and COPD Presentations slides here.

Learn how mindfulness practice may lead to improved COPD management and wellness.

2018 Afternoon Education Sessions

4. Understanding COPD Medication (repeat of morning session)

Learn about COPD medications and practice how to use COPD medication devices properly with the support of health care providers.

5. Primary Care Providers’ Role in Managing Your COPD Presentation slides here.

Learn how to partner with primary care providers when managing COPD.

6. Care Transitions from Hospital to Home Presentation slides here.

Learn how to develop a plan following a COPD-related hospitalization.

Oxygen Available

Managing oxygen supplies can make participation difficult for people living with COPD. Through the generous support of Health Care Solutions Group, Inc., oxygen is available – at no additional charge – throughout the day. Pulmonary rehabilitation group leaders are also on hand to provide support with oxygen devices, so that all participants can enjoy the conference without interruption.

Schedule, Meals and Cost

The Living Better Together COPD Conference schedule is typically:

9:30 AM Registration and continental breakfast offered
10:30 AM Conference begins
3:00 PM Conference concludes

A luncheon is served around noon and a vegetarian option is available.

Out of courtesy to people living with COPD, please refrain from wearing cologne or perfume to the event; it can exacerbate breathing difficulties.

Transportation from Selected Sites

Bus transportation is made available to groups of 15 or more registrants traveling from the same site to the Living Better Together COPD Conference. Transportation cannot be guaranteed until event registration has closed. Confirmation letters with transportation information are mailed in early November.

If you have questions about transportation to the Living Better Together COPD Conference, please contact Jennifer Kustwin, Senior Program Coordinator, via email at [email protected]

Event Exhibit Hall

The Living Better Together COPD Conference also provides attendees with the opportunity for one-on-one visits with a variety of exhibitors. Between breakout sessions, guests are able to visit close-by exhibitor tables.

Past participants have included Boehringer Ingelheim, Health Care Solutions Group, Inc., Shire, Aetna Better Health of Illinois, Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network, RespirTech, Alpha-1 Foundation, Illinois Society for Respiratory Care, University of Illinois at Chicago and Illinois Physical Therapy Association.

2019 Planning Committee

You can help shape next year’s Living Better Together COPD Conference by joining the Planning Committee. The group meets by phone once a month from August to November (for a total commitment of four hours) to provide ideas and input to the RHA staff members. Contact Jennifer Kustwin, Senior Program Coordinator, via email at [email protected] to learn more.