Media Center

Disaster Preparedness for the LGBTQ+ Community (March 2022)

Webinar Slides:

• Slides
• Fact Sheet

Summary:  

Being prepared for a disaster often means that you are able to recover faster and easier. In this webinar we will discuss ways that members of the LGBTQ+ Community can be more prepared when a disaster happens. What steps should you take now to prepare, and what should you do if a disaster impacts you. 

Consideration for the LGBTQ+ in Your Organization's/Community's Emergency Planning and Disaster Response (March 2022)

Webinar Slides:

• Slides
• Fact Sheet

Summary:  

Disasters don't discriminate, but often an organization or community's response to an emergency overlooks the needs of all community members who have been impacted. In this training we will discuss factors that emergency planners, service providers, and disaster responders should consider ensuring that the LGBTQ+ community is included in a community's response after a disaster.

Training Workshop Compilation How to Increase Caregiver Vaccine Uptake (June 2021)

      Webinar Slides:  

• A Workshop: How to Increase Caregiver Vaccine Uptake

How to Increase Caregiver Vaccine Uptake Speaker Videos here. 

Summary: COVID vaccinations are still lagging among home care workers. The Kaiser Family Foundation and the Washington Post conducted a survey, and it showed that only 26% of home healthcare workers had received the COVID vaccine. Home care workers lag behind their counterparts in nursing homes (50% vaccinated as of June 2021) and hospitals. Many caregivers are on a continuum, seeking information from trusted sources, and have been waiting to see how the COVID vaccines impact the lives and health of people they know and love.

   Tool: Seven Steps to Building Vaccine Confidence (June 2021)

COVID Vaccines: The Impact on Infection Prevention and Control in Home Care (5/27/21)

Webinar Slides:  

• COVID Vaccines: The Impact on Infection Prevention and Control in Home Care (Heather Saunders, MPH, RN, CIC)
• COVID Vaccines: The Impact on Infection Prevention and Control in Home Care (Charlene Brown , MD)

Summary: In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a major shift in the everyday lives of individuals around the world.  The pandemic changed how we go to school, where we shop, and how we approach our everyday jobs.  For those in the healthcare industry, the COVID pandemic opened our eyes to the importance of infection prevention and control across the healthcare spectrum, including during care provided in the home. 

Addressing Common COVID Vaccine Misconceptions Among Caregivers (4/29/21)

Webinar Slides:

• Addressing Common COVID Vaccine Misconceptions Among Caregivers ( Nadeene Riddick Ph.D.)

• Addressing Common COVID Vaccine Misconceptions Among Caregivers  (Charlene Brown, MD)
  

Summary: COVID vaccinations are still lagging among home care workers. Vaccine skepticism among caregivers on the frontlines of home care is made worse by the fallacies and myths (and truths) that are circulating about the COVID vaccines. Join this session to learn how to debunk common COVID-19 vaccine misconceptions within your teams.

Increasing COVID Vaccine Confidence through Caregiver Engagement (4/22/21)

Webinar Slides: 

• Increasing COVID Vaccine Confidence through Caregiver Engagement (Charlene Brown, MD)

Summary: This session will highlight strategies that are being used to build caregiver engagement and trust leading to increased confidence in the COVID-19 vaccines. Learn Care Together LLC CEO & Founder, Dr. Charlene Brown, and the Director of Caregiver Engagement at HouseWorks LLC, Ms. Vinette Tyme, will describe how they worked together and in collaboration with agency Caregiver Engagement Specialists, to systematically engage caregivers to tackle common vaccine myths and increase vaccine confidence.

PPE for Home-Based Care: It's NOT Easy

Slides Available for Download

Summary:  Dr. Amy Schiffman discussed the role of PPE, addressing challenges unique to home-based care, success stories, and our pathways forward. There are so many questions without clear answers and best practices aren't always clearly defined for our industry.

COVID-19 Misinformation - What you don't know CAN hurt you

Summary:  Dr. Lisa Fitzpatrick from Dr. Lisa on the Street and Ama Adepa Gryn, an experienced home care CNA, discussed community misinformation about COVID-19 and how what you don't know it CAN hurt or even kill you.

Understanding N95 & Other Respirator Fit Testing for Home Care

Demo Weak Solution | Demo Fit Test Strong Solution

Summary: During the presentation Dr. Roy McKay explained the different types of N95 and other respirator fit testing available for use with home care. Because not all facepieces used in home care are fit-tested, a brief description of face masks and respirators was presented.

COVID-19 & Chronic Conditions at Home - Looking Through Two Lenses

Summary:  Dr. Mitchell provided an overview of COVID-19 and the public health response in Maryland, and discussed how home health care providers can best serve their patients in these challenging circumstances.

Dementia Symptom Assessment and Management during Lockdown

Slides Available for Download

Summary: This session described strategies to assess and manage symptoms experienced by individuals with dementia who are receiving home care during the COVID-19 era.  Information provided included innovative ideas to enhance communication, conduct visits while maintaining physical distance, and maintain physical function during lockdown.

Pressure Injuries during COVID-10: Prevention and Management

Slides Available for Download

Summary: In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, effective skin and wound care is more important than ever before. In this presentation, Dr. Madhuri Reddy reviewed evidence-based prevention and management of pressure injuries for older adults. The session helped attendees make sure that their home health agency pressure injury care and management strategies are  informed by evidence!

PPE: Show Me Yours and I'll Show You Mine!

Slides are Available for Download

Summary: Celeste Wooten, a CNA with over 20 years of experience,  shared stories from the field (good, bad and ugly!) and showed just what goes on in the wacky, wonderful world of PPE!

Dealing with Social Isolation and Loneliness Among Older Adults During COVID-19

Video 1: COVID-19 and the Elderly, Dr. Alan Abrams

Summary: Social connectivity is a critical part of our overall health, especially for older adults living with functional impairments. COVID-19 has made it increasingly difficult for both family members and caregiving professionals to meet that need for connection creating significant health risks for the older adults in our care.

Stress Management for Homecare Clinicians During COVID

Slides Available for Download

Additional Resource: Mental Health Resources for Health Workers

Summary: Our work and lives are increasingly stressful. Dealing with too much stress can harm our health, relationships at home and at work, and lead to burnout. Dr. Elizabeth Galik  discussed issues of stress and strategies for stress management and self-care for both clinicians and administrators during these challenging times.

Understanding Mental Distress Among Children Receiving Homecare during COVID-19

Summary: Dr. Kalb discussed mental health among children during the COVID-19 pandemic. He reviewed how to support children who are vulnerable during this difficult time. The session looked at the lives and emotional health of children who require care at home, particularly those with developmental disabilities and how the pandemic is affecting children of all abilities. 

Post-COVID Clinical Considerations in the Home

Slides Available for Download

Summary: Dr. Teodosio discussed the clinical considerations for providing home health care services to older adults with COVID and post-COVID. She talked about the many health challenges providers can encounter and the treatment approaches, signs and symptoms of complications, and how to progress these patients back to safe activities and independence.

Caring for Older Adults with COVID in the Home - Garnering Community Support

Summary: Dr. Abrams shared real-life examples of COVID-19 care of older adults in the home, including pitfalls and key lessons he has learned through his experiences. 

Caring for the Caregiver - A CNA’s Perspective 

Summary:  Ms. Gryn discussed the burnout most caregivers experience due to the pandemic and provided input on what both caregivers and their employers can do to support caregivers during this trying time.

Aerosols and COVID - What Home Care Clinicians Need to Know 

Slides Available for Download

Summary:  Dr. Charlene Brown discussed the latest science on COVID-19 transmission via aerosols and what it means for home care agencies with clinician staff and caregivers spending hours in clients’ homes.  She also went over strategies to reduce the risk of transmission in client homes.

How Can CNAs Protect Their Clients and Patients from COVID-19 Outside of Work?

Summary:  Mr. Anderson and Ms. Jackson discussed the newly approved COVID vaccine and what else CNAs can we do to protect their clients, residents, and patients when they are not at work. They also talked about how CNAs can care for their patients, take care of their own families and themselves.