Page last updated: 6/25/2020
At HPP, we have talked about how to say thank you. Words feel inadequate to pay tribute to those on the frontlines, but we would like to express our gratitude, encourage you to keep up your resolve and offer you support with some of the resources that HPP is proud to be able to make available during this challenging time.
To our customers, colleagues, and friends,
We at HPP are in awe of the courage, dedication, expertise, and compassion of all of you in caring roles. You are prioritizing others’ needs and working tirelessly to protect those in your care and limit the spread of the novel corononavirus—above and beyond the everyday care you provide in your chosen line of work. We salute and thank you.
While you are giving your all to protect and save others, we offer our support with these complimentary resources to read, print, and share. We hope they provide valuable advice and inspiration in this unprecedented period of life-threatening care. It’s important to find time to pause and refresh, to lean on others, to mourn for those lost, and to find the resilience to push on to find the moments of recovery that are why you became a caregiver.
- Dementia Care at a Distance
Creative ideas for staying connected and person-centered in a time of social distancing. - Nursing Homes Need Support, Not Blame
Jill Vitale-Aussem details why nursing homes need our support right now, and five things you can do to help. - Reframing Healing as a Physician in Hospice Care
When cure is not possible, removing the stress of the sick is good medicine. Read how one physician reframed medicine and healing when he began working in palliative care. - Caregiver Stress Exercises
It’s critical to manage your own stress so you can keep assisting others. Find the strategy that works for you. - 30 Dementia Care Activities During COVID-19
This coronavirus-sensitive list offers just a few ideas for maintaining critical socialization and engagement in this time of crisis. - Creating Cultures of Dignity During COVID-19 and Beyond
Leslie Pedtke reminds staff in long-term care of their strengths, and encourages all to remember how much they matter not only during this time of a pandemic, but every day. - Our Devastating Disregard for Elder Care Workers
Jill Vitale-Aussem shows how we can provide the desperately needed validation and support to those dedicated to the elders in their care. - Supporting Long-Term Care Staff as They Grieve the Death of Their Residents from COVID-19
Mary Kaplan shares policies and practices to address the grief support needs of long-term care staff, and promote the opportunity for caregivers to grieve for the loss of their residents. - “Choose One” Activity for Enhancing Relationships
This activity, modified for social distancing needs during COVID-19, helps caregivers gain a better understanding of residents and their life stories in meaningful ways.
- This Provider article has helpful tips on managing care and social distancing for people with dementia.
- This article from McKnight’s Long-Term Care News highlights three things to remember when communicating through a mask with elders.
- Florida State University’s Institute for Successful Longevity has launched an initiative to help older adults use the Zoom video platform to stay connected with friends and family, to access learning opportunities, and to stay engaged with the community.
- This article from Futurity recommends four ways to stop stereotyping older adults during COVID-19.
For daily updates on COVID-19 and its impact on the older adult population, follow us on Twitter.
Dementia and COVID-19: How to Help People Living with Cognitive Changes from The Green House Project
In this webinar, Dr. Al Power and other experts in dementia care discuss how they have been able to ensure person-directed, relationship-rich care for people living with dementia in a time of social isolation. You can access the session notes here.
- Education and Support Posters and Handouts
Recommendations and information from the World Health Organization. Print and hang in your community, or pass out to staff. - Person-Centered Guidelines for Preserving Family Presence in Challenging Times
Developed by an international “pop-up coalition,” these guidelines are a compassionate approach to family presence that balances the benefits of family’s physical presence with a loved one and the need to minimize the risks of transmission of COVID-19. The recommendations are now widely available to provide guidance to healthcare leaders and local and regional authorities on what constitutes responsible, compassionate family presence during, and in the aftermath of, a pandemic.
- Argentum has created the Coronoavirus Preparation and Response Toolkit, updated often as they learn about new resources, guidelines, and public health directives
- LeadingAge has compiled a page of resources, news, and updates on corona virus
- The American Health Care Association (AHCA) joins the fight to protect seniors and individuals with disabilities in long-term with these coronavirus emergency preparedness resources, including resources by state.
- The International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) has created a COVID-19 Response Center with resources to help maintain well-being during this pandemic.
