The 15 concurrent sessions were delivered over the two days of the conference along with a variety of poster presentations, industry displays, book fair, as well as a Wine & Cheese Reception all providing opportunities to network and learn from the experiences of our colleagues. The evening Public Forum, Mindful Care... Planning for the Future attracted more than 250 conference attendees and members of the public.

The overall feedback was very positive and the planning committee was overwhelmed by the efforts and support from the Brandon, Marquette and South Westman Regional Health Authorities as well as the involvement of the numerous presenters, sponsors, volunteers and participants. We are honoured to have been part of the 1999 event and express our gratitude to all who contributed.

A Step Back in Time to 1999:
Summary of Evaluation Comments about:
Mindful Care...A Psychogeriatric Conference 1999

• This was the best conference in psychogeriatrics I have been to. Accommodation facilities, organization, content were exceptional. Thank you for keeping to schedule, breaks and sessions were well balanced, refreshments appreciated. The only criticism I would have would be to better enforce non-smoking areas in foyer and lunch facility. Thanks again for an excellent two days. Also the value for money was incredible!!
• Excellent two days. Enjoyed it. Could you have another conference in Brandon next year? It was great. Who needs Winnipeg?
• A very thoughtfully prepared “menu” of nurturing info. Can we “do lunch” again soon? Annually perhaps?? Well organized. Great speakers. A welcome education experience.
• An excellent conference and very well organized with all the amenities. The hotel was also excellent. Job well done!
• The Conference exceeded my expectations. Super. Long overdue in Manitoba.
• The conference was excellent. When is the next?
• This beat the Provincial Health Conference hands down. Great job committee!!
• Excellent conference, so well planned. Next time please put where from on name tag. Health care people should smoke outside.
• Conference was well organized otherwise and worth the money.
• Very well organized. Excellent lineup of speakers and topics.
• Excellent, Excellent, Excellent!!! Good facilities, good refreshments. Excellent preparation, and wonderful speakers (knowledgeable in their fields). Suggestion: there were no sessions on physical and emotional abuse placed on the caregiver. This is a big part in being a caregiver of a psycho-geriatric patient.
• I have thoroughly appreciated the past 2 days. The general topic and breakout sessions were most valuable. Accommodations, refreshments, lunches, etc., were great. Everyone involved in making this happen deserves congratulations. Thank you for an excellent conference.

Editorial Note:
Not included above were several comments about the facilities, sound system, lunch and breaks. There were also several complaints about smoking at the 1999 conference. We are pleased to announce that in 2004 the Keystone Centre is a NON-SMOKING facility.

We will host an evening Public Forum to provide opportunity for the general public to hear experts speak frankly about some of the challenges and adjustments faced by seniors.

The format will include brief presentations by conference presenters and an opportunity for questions and answers from the audience. There will be time for a nutrition break and to visit informational displays.

Location: Pioneer Lounge - Keystone Centre

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Date: To be confirmed (either September 29 or 30, 2004)

For the 1999 Mindful Care Public Forum…Planning for the Future, there were over 220 in attendance. Approximately 40% were Conference attendees and 60% were members of the public.

There were 71 evaluations returned.

Comments from evaluations included:

• “Wonderfully informative. Rarely discussed issues flung out of the closet for all to consider. Thank you.”
• “Controversial Topics presented in a logical, helpful and informative manner”
• “Enjoyed the information. Also each having a sense of humor made it more interesting”
• “Thank you, I had a number of questions that were well answered”
• “The questions that I came with were answered when the speakers gave their addresses”
• “An excellent evening”
• “Very informative, Thank you”
• “Well organized. Informative panel members”
• “Will come again”
• “Good choice of speakers and topics”
• “Interesting and thought provoking”
• “Enjoyed each speaker, very informative. Will get a Living Will and have it signed”
• “Ten minutes was just right! Really great to have the Q&A. Got a bit confused with the scope of Enduring Power of Attorney and Personal Health Care Decisions”
• “Selection of panelists and topics showed a planning process with your audience in mind. Congratulations.”
• “Fruitful evening.”
• "Very Good! I think the people on the panel were well chosen”
• “Excellent opportunity for public to address experts knowledgeable in the field”
• “Delicate and important issues were addressed in lay-mans terms for effective understanding. Open question answers were excellent”