Meet the Panel for Facing Dementia Together: What Everyone Needs to Know
- Headmistress Jill Miller
- Oct 22
- 6 min read
Thanks to these incredible women for agreeing to be on our Facing Dementia Together: What Everyone Needs to Know on October 29th, at Flying Pig Improv's new location at 2320 E. Douglas at Grove in Wichita, Kansas. (Parking and entrance in back.)
About the event: With the aging of the population, the number of Americans with dementia is expected to increase to about 1 million by 2060. It will touch all of us in the coming years, whether it is with yourself or a loved one. Yet surprisingly hopeful findings in just the past year could lead to better diagnosis and treatment for Alzheimer’s, which starts developing 20-30 years before detection.
Join this panel of experts as they discuss the various types of dementia, prevention strategies that address known risk factors, early detection methods, and effective coping strategies for patients and their families.
Sponsored by Optometric Billings Solutions, optometricbilling.com, (316) 722-2021 and Flying Pig Improv, flyingpigimprov.com, (316) 833-1889
This event is open to the public, and everyone is welcome.
The registration fee is $10 at the door or in advance.
We are meeting at Flying Pig Improv's new location at 2320 E. Douglas Ave. at Grove, 6 to 8 PM.
Panelists:
Lorrie Beck, Retired, Volunteer Community Educator with the Central & Western Kansas Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association
Lorrie is a happily retired federal employee. She retired in December 2014 to care for her mother, who suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease. She obtained a college degree (Leisure Management – Outdoor Recreation) in 1981 from Missouri Western State College (St. Joseph, Missouri). For the next 33 years, she worked for a variety of federal agencies before retiring from the US Fish & Wildlife Service (Great Plains Nature Center), Wichita, Kansas.
When Lorrie’s mother became a full-time resident at a memory care facility in April 2019, Lorrie had a lot of free time on her hands. She began volunteering as a House Warmer at the Ronald McDonald House (Wichita) and Wichita Habitat for Humanity, where she swings a mean hammer on construction sites and also serves on the Homebuyer Selection Committee.
When Lorrie’s mother died (Christmas Day, 2022), her volunteer activities expanded to include the Kansas Food Bank, various live theaters in Wichita, and she continues to volunteer at the Great Plains Nature Center. She remains very involved as a Community Educator (volunteer) with the Central & Western Kansas Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association (Wichita).
Kasey Breidenthal, CDP, CMA, Registered Operator, Comfort Care Homes
Kasey is a Wichita native and third-generation at ComfortCare Homes. She attended both KU and K-State, graduating with a degree in Horticulture, Landscape Design, and Spanish. Following graduation, she worked as a Landscape Designer and Contractor in Seattle and Kansas City for over a decade prior to returning to Wichita and becoming a full-time caregiver to her mother-in-law with early-onset Dementia in 2013. Kasey started her journey with ComfortCare Homes in early 2014 and has worked in almost all aspects of the company, including as a Medication Aid, Activities Director, and is currently the VP of Operations and Sales and the Operator of three homes.
Aside from spending time in her own garden, cooking, reading, and spending time with her husband, two teenage boys, and friends, Kasey also serves on the KCAL board as the Home Plus Representative and is a board member and longtime volunteer for Beauties and Beasts, Inc., a local animal rescue. She has helped care for and introduce many of our loving pets at ComfortCare Homes. Whether it’s finding the right pet, creating a beautiful garden space, or making sure our operations are running smoothly, Kasey is passionate about creating the best environment for those living with dementia.
Micala Gingrich Gaylord, President and CEO, ComfortCare Homes
Micala is president and CEO for ComfortCare Homes. She was recognized as a Health Care Hero in 2023 and was a 40 under 40 recipient in 2019. She is a certified dementia practitioner and trainer in the Wichita community and beyond. She is passionate about ComfortCare Homes' mission of caring for those living with dementia.
When not working with her dynamic ComfortCare team, Micala is a local artist and is deeply involved in community work in Wichita. She is vice president of the Jupiter Arts Academy board and serves on the board of Harvester Arts in Wichita. She also recently joined the Downtown Rotary Club. She loves all things to do with community engagement and development to make Wichita better for those 9 to 99.
Amy Siple, Nurse Practitioner, Educator, Speaker
Amy Siple is a national speaker and author on healthcare issues that impact older adults and the empowerment of healthcare givers. She has served the primary care needs of residents in long-term care as a nurse practitioner for over 25 years. Three Kansas Governors have appointed Amy to serve on boards and task forces to represent the needs of older adults, and she currently serves as the Chair of the Kansas Board for Adult Care Home Executives. Amy is a TEDx speaker and a content expert for Project Echo. Under her leadership, as President of the Kansas Advanced Practice Nurses Association, Kansas became the 26th state to pass full practice authority for APRNs in 2022. She was given the AANP state award for excellence in 2023. Amy is a certified John Maxwell leadership speaker, coach, and trainer. In 2024, Amy was given the Healthcare Hero Award by the Wichita Business Journal.
Scott and Amy have been married for 33 years. They have two children and four grandchildren. They enjoy gardening and serving the Lord and their local community.
Moderator:
Jill D. Miller is passionate about helping people grow – professionally and personally. Her consulting company, Creative Solutions, has helped fledgling and seasoned entrepreneurs launch and grow out-of-the-ordinary and sometimes quirky ventures since 1998. Jill discovered her passion for teaching as a corporate trainer and now loves influencing young minds as an adjunct professor of Entrepreneurship in the Arts at Wichita State University.
As Headmistress of the Finishing School for Modern Women, Jill has worked with thousands of women, inspiring them to overcome obstacles and move toward their goals. She founded the Badass Women of Wichita Alliance in 2021, hosting weekly gatherings that foster community, promote local nonprofits, and cultivate “badassery.”
After writing a blog for the Finishing School for seven years, Jill was inspired to compile her favorites into her first book, “Never Finished: Practical Advice for Modern Women to Inspire Your Fierce, Authentic Self She published it in October 2022 and has just come out as an audiobook on Patreon.
Active in the Wichita community, Jill leads cultural and women's organizations and is a zealous volunteer. In her spare time, she likes to attend artistic events and relax at home with her miniature rescue poodle, Jack.
This panel is sponsored by Optometric Billings Solutions, optometricbilling.com, (316) 722-2021 and Flying Pig Improv, flyingpigimprov.com, (316) 833-1889
Thank you to our sponsor, Optometric Billing Solutions!
Because of their sponsorship, we're able to keep the prices for our Badass Women of Wichita Alliance events at only $10, including panel discussions.
At 10501 W. Hampton Lakes in Maize, OBS is a woman-owned, nationally recognized insurance billing company for optometrist clinics in 43 states. It was named by Wichita Business Journal as one of the best places to work in Wichita, based on confidential employee job satisfaction surveys.
If you’re ready for a career in an employee-centered company with flexible hours and options to work at home after training, OBS wants to talk to you! Go to https://bit.ly/OBSBadass for more information.
Sending a resume to BWWA@obsteam.com and letting OBS know the applicant is referred by the Badass network automatically guarantees them an interview. Make sure they drop your name when they apply! OBS rewards your referral with $150 cash each time the person you sent gets hired!
Did you know I've published a book? Learn more about it here!
Now it's an audiobook too! Learn more about the audiobook here!
Because We’re Never Finished
The Finishing School for Modern Women, located in Wichita, Kansas, offers classes to help women find their authentic selves, not because we need finishing, but because we’re never finished. We bring together women of all ages to learn from experts and each other how to claim our power in business, finance, communication, and life.
To learn more about what we do:
https://www.finishingschoolformodernwomen.com for our classes and free social membership.
Contact Us
Phone: 316-841-8927 Email: jill@finishingschoolformodernwomen.com
This was such a heartfelt post. I really appreciate how the panel brings together people who truly understand the challenges of dementia and want to help others navigate it. It also reminds me how important it is to share stories and resources online, especially with help from author website design services that make information easier to find. Thank you for creating a space that encourages understanding and support.