LTSS Newsletter—July 2022

LTSS webinar – Cultural Sensitivity in Memory Care, July 27

 

American Indian/Alaska Native Long-Term Services and Supports SOLUTIONS Technical assistance for culturally competent care July 2022

 

LTSS Technical Assistance Center Visit the online LTSS TA Center for videos, best practices, toolkits, a resource library, and a step-by-step planning roadmap.

 

 

Addressing loneliness The impact of loneliness on health is comparable to that of high blood pressure, obesity, and even tobacco use. That’s why engAGED: The National Resource Center for Engaging Older Adults, offers a community toolkit to help agencies keep elders connected to friends and family both near and far. The toolkit includes a customizable brochure (PDF, 1.8 MB, 2 pp), infographics, fact sheets, and more. Additionally, a recent episode in USAging’s Answers on Aging podcast series highlights resources available to develop programs that promote social engagement among elders, people with disabilities, and caregivers.           Promoting social engagement in care facilities               Efforts to foster high-quality social relationships are vital to the health and well-being of nursing home and assisted living facility residents. For examples of such efforts, watch the CMS webinar, Keeping Tribal Elders Connected – Real Stories from the Front Lines. In that webinar, panelists from tribal care facilities cover topics such as: Holiday celebrations Use of technology to connect residents with family Activities involving traditional foods

 

Protecting elders from heat-related illness Elders are more prone than younger people to heat-related illness. And extreme heat can be especially dangerous for elders who live alone. To help prevent heat-related health issues, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages caregivers and family members to: Check in with elders regularly via phone or in person to make sure they are staying hydrated and cool Complete a care plan that lists the medicines an elder is taking and their potential effect on body temperature Seek medical care immediately if an elder is showing signs of heat-related illness, such as muscle cramps, dizziness, nausea, or headaches

Improving organizational capacity to provide PCTI Symptoms of trauma often resurface when elders develop health problems or lose a loved one. Providing person-centered, trauma-informed (PCTI) care can help address those symptoms. As noted in the executive summary of a recently published report (PDF, 550 KB, 10 pp), many organizations that serve elders recognize the importance of PCTI care. However, organizational capacity to provide that care varies. Accordingly, the report’s authors recommend that providers of aging services: Increase their understanding of trauma’s role in the aging process Acknowledge and overcome disparities in PCTI care Dedicate resources to building capacity to provide PCTI care These recommendations are based on the results of a national survey that was supported in part by Administration for Community Living funds. The survey results were reviewed in a webinar, Care for Older Adults with a History of Trauma, a recording of which is available online. Visit CMS’s LTSS Technical Assistance Center for a tribal-specific resource on PCTI (PDF, 656 KB, 9 pp).

 

Join the conversation on LinkedIn Want to learn more about or discuss LTSS in Indian Country? Looking to connect with others working in the same field? Join the Tribal Affairs Group on LinkedIn.

 

Upcoming webinar

 

Cultural Sensitivity in Memory Care Wednesday, July 27 This webinar will discuss best practices in culturally sensitive care for people living with dementia. Presenters will share examples of how those best practices are applied in tribal care facilities. Objectives: Explain how to positively approach and engage with an elder who is living with dementia Highlight the importance of person-centered care when assisting with activities of daily living Review how to build trust with a person who has dementia Please note your location's call-in time: 8 a.m. Hawaii 10 a.m. Alaska 11 a.m. Pacific 12 p.m. Mountain 1 p.m. Central 2 p.m. Eastern Have questions for our presenters? Let us know before the webinar by emailing ltssinfo@kauffmaninc.com. Register now. Presenters Donna Fischer State Long Term Care Ombudsman Division of Long Term Services and Supports South Dakota Department of Human Services Kathy Schmid Consultant Native American Health Management Marque Little White Man Director of Nursing Oglala Sioux Lakota Nursing Home Tiffany M. Shangreau Facility Administrator Oglala Sioux Lakota Nursing Home Joseph Ray President Uniting Nursing Homes in Tribal Excellence Amber R. Sierra, MSW Social Services Director Oglala Sioux Lakota Nursing Home

 

Caregiver's Corner

 

Workshop teaches new approaches to caregiving A 6-week online workshop for caregivers enrolled in a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs caregiver support program is now available. Developed by Stanford University, Building Better Caregivers enables caregivers to share their experiences helping Veterans who are living with a serious injury or illness, such as memory issues or post-traumatic stress disorder. Workshop topics include: New approaches to caregiving Stress reduction and self-care Tools to improve time management and communication Upon workshop completion, caregivers will have access to ongoing support through an online alumni group.

 

Funding opportunities

 

OSHA grants Deadline: August 1 Tribes and tribal organizations are encouraged to apply for Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) grants to develop and conduct training and educational programs over a 12-month period in disadvantaged and underserved communities. Two types of capacity building grants are available to help expand access to occupational safety and health training. Capacity building developmental grantees must have the ability to conduct multiple trainings. Capacity building pilot grantees will be required to build and provide one training program. Additionally, targeted topic training grants are available for programs addressing an OSHA-specified training topic, such as health care or infectious disease pandemic preparedness.

 

Upcoming events

 

Webinar on care options for elders August 3, 1–2 p.m. Eastern Register for the webinar on care options for elders Plan to attend a webinar on care options for elders who need assistance at home or can no longer live alone safely. Hosted by the American Society on Aging, the webinar will help attendees better understand which type of care is best and when to consider transitioning to a different care option. Webinar on substance misuse and brain health August 17, 1–3 p.m. Eastern Register for the webinar on substance misuse and brain health Join the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America for a virtual workshop on the impact of substance misuse on brain health. The workshop will highlight the need to destigmatize people who misuse substances and have dementia. It will also cover the use of screening tools and the development of treatment plans.

 

Send us your news Do you have news to share about LTSS in Indian Country? Send it to ltssinfo@kauffmaninc.com, and we'll include it in a newsletter. Contact us with other comments or feedback, too. About the newsletter American Indian/Alaska Native Long-Term Services and Supports Solutions is published monthly by the CMS Division of Tribal Affairs to share information, funding opportunities, and resources with LTSS planners, tribal leaders, and supporters.

 

 

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