Respite for All’s 6th Annual Training Conference
March 2-4, 2025
Canterbury United Methodist Church
Birmingham, AL
The upcoming Whirlwind Conference is an exciting step forward for the Respite for All Foundation (RFA) as we relocate our annual training event to Birmingham, Alabama, in response to flourishing growth! Taking place from March 2-4, 2025, at Canterbury United Methodist Church and hosted by the Encore Ministry, this conference builds on RFA’s impactful mission to inspire, develop, and mentor volunteer respite programs nationwide.
Focusing on leadership, creativity, and education, the conference aims to empower professionals and volunteers working with families and individuals living with dementia at home.
As the name “Whirlwind” suggests, attendees can expect a dynamic 72-hour program fostering innovative strategies, networking and support systems in dementia care. It’s a testament to RFA’s dedication to meeting the growing needs of communities impacted by dementia. Our keynote presenters and experienced expert directors will deliver an action-packed agenda that you won’t want to miss!
Dr. Anne Basting
A writer, artist and advocate for the power of creativity to transform our lives, Dr. Anne Basting is Emerita Professor of English at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee and founder of the award-winning non-profit TimeSlips.org, which guides, inspires, and supports care systems to infuse creativity and meaning-making into care. A published author of numerous books and internationally recognized for her speaking and her innovative work, Dr. Basting is the recipient of a MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship, and numerous major awards and grants.
Dr. Daniel Potts
A neurologist, caregiver and advocate from Tuscaloosa, AL, Daniel C. Potts, MD, FAAN, has been designated an Architect of Change by Maria Shriver for his advocacy for persons living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias and their care partners. Inspired by his father’s transformation from saw miller to watercolor artist in the throes of dementia through person-centered care and the expressive arts, Dr. Potts seeks to make these therapies more widely available through his foundation, Cognitive Dynamics. Additionally, he is passionate about promoting self-preservation and dignity for all persons with cognitive impairment.
Dr. David Geldmacher
A UAB professor of neurology widely respected in the field of memory disorders, David Geldmacher, MD, is the Warren Family Endowed Chair in Neurology and Director of the Division of Memory Disorders and Behavioral Neurology in the Department of Neurology at the UAB School of Medicine. He leads UAB’s Memory Disorder Clinics, which focus on the interdisciplinary care of people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia. He has been listed in The Best Doctors in America since 1998.
Brodie Croyle
Executive Director of Big Oak Ranch, a Christian home for abused, neglected, orphaned and abandoned children, Brodie Croyle operates by a philosophy that is a perfect fit for respite ministry: “We can’t always change our situation, but we can always be changed in our situation.” He, his family and the staff at Big Oak are grounded in one purpose – to relieve the suffering of children. A former standout player with the University of Alabama, he also played five years with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Who Should Attend?
The annual training conference is the chance to nurture the hope, love, and relationships at the heart of our growing respite community, with a gathering that includes:
- Respite Directors
- Respite Volunteers
- Respite Community Planners
- Adult Day Staff
