WASHAA Community Conversations About COVID-19
2021 Updates On COVID-19 | January 11, 2021
Our first Community Conversation of the year was an 'open conversation' with an update from WASHAA Board Member and Medical Director (OB/GYN Quality & Safety) at Swedish Health Services, Dale Reisner, MD. We answered questions during this free discussion that was open to patients, families, advocates and medical providers.
Navigating New Information During COVID-19 | December 14, 2020
Updates on Navigating New Information during COVID-19. Our speakers included Dale Reisner, MD, Medical Director (OB/GYN Quality & Safety) at Swedish Health Services. People brought their questions for this 'Open Forum' on COVID-19.
COVID-19 & Navigating Grief | November 16, 2020
Millions of Americans are grieving alone in their homes, unable to lean on the people and programs they would normally rely on after a death. Anger, guilt and sadness are compounded by the pain of not being with loved ones at the end. Worse still is that COVID-19 forces people to grieve alone, without the funerals, support groups, and visits from neighbors they would normally rely on.
Grief and loss disproportionately impact vulnerable populations, with those same populations less likely to receive bereavement care. We know that grief often leads to poor physical health outcomes including anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation and substance abuse, yet not enough is being done. Hospices, non-profit grief organizations, therapists, support group providers, and others are working hard to address the escalating need for grief support, but with COVID-19 deaths continuing to grow, as well as increasing death rates from nearly all other causes as compared to 2019, we are faced with a growing crisis that requires new and creative solutions.
Speakers:
Grief and loss disproportionately impact vulnerable populations, with those same populations less likely to receive bereavement care. We know that grief often leads to poor physical health outcomes including anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation and substance abuse, yet not enough is being done. Hospices, non-profit grief organizations, therapists, support group providers, and others are working hard to address the escalating need for grief support, but with COVID-19 deaths continuing to grow, as well as increasing death rates from nearly all other causes as compared to 2019, we are faced with a growing crisis that requires new and creative solutions.
Speakers:
- Dale Reisner, MD, Medical Director (OB/GYN Quality & Safety) at Swedish Health Services
- Emma Payne, Founder and CEO, Grief Coach
COVID-19 & the Future of Assisted Living | October 19, 2020
As we have learned more about COVID-19, some of our behaviors have changed. We explored how our current experience informs how seniors are coping with changes to their home living situation and what the future of Assisted Living may be different. We also had a COVID-19 update on current news, trends and projections.
Speakers:
Speakers:
- Dale Reisner, MD, Medical Director (OB/GYN Quality & Safety) at Swedish Health Services
- Nisan Harel, Vice President of Operations, ERA Living
COVID-19 & The Senior LGBTQIA+ Response and Resiliency | August 24, 2020
Hear updates about COVID-19 and GenPride. Dale Reisner, MD, provided updates on COVID-19 and Mitchell Hunter from GenPRIDE shared how the experience of the 1980 HIV/AIDS Epidemic led to important lessons of resiliency in these current COVID-19 times. Mitchell shared learning from GenPride, a Washington-based, non-profit, community organization which empowers older LGBTQ+ adults to live with pride and dignity by promoting, connecting and developing innovative programs and services that enhance belonging and support, eliminate discrimination, and honor the lives of older members of our community.
Speakers:
Speakers:
- Dale Reisner, MD, Medical Director (OBGYN/Quality & Safety) at Swedish Health Services
- Mitch Hunter, (He/Him) Training Coordinator at GenPRIDE and an active leader in the Seattle Transgender & Non Binary (NB) as well as the LGBQIA+ community for the last 30 years
COVID-19 & Building Immune Defense | August 17, 2020
We are still learning about COVID-19 and while a strong immune system will not prevent you from getting COVID-19, learn how building a strong immune system can help you fight bugs and viruses. In this Community Conversation, we heard an update on COVID-19 and discussed specific strategies for boosting your immune system.
Objectives:
Speakers:
Objectives:
- Updates on what is happening in the health system with COVID-19, what has changed, and what to expect ahead.
- Why is it important to build up the immune system, even if it won't protect you against becoming infected with COVID-19?
- What actions should be undertaken to boost your immune system?
- What should we know about new information about COVID-19 transmission?
- Providing specific resources / actions or ideas for participants.
Speakers:
- Dale Reisner, MD, Medical Director (OBGYN/Quality & Safety) at Swedish Health Services
- Deanna Minich, PhD, internationally-recognized teacher, author, scientist, speaker, with more than 20 years of diverse, well-rounded experience in the fields of nutrition and functional medicine, including clinical practice, research, product formulation, writing, and education
Navigating COVID-19: The Importance of Advocacy in the Hospital | July 27, 2020
Updates and context as to how the pandemic is affecting our country. We heard from two social workers who provided their perspectives on the importance of health advocacy, especially in the hospital and health systems. COVID-19 has changed the way healthcare support is managed. For many healthcare systems, loved ones cannot accompany patients to visits, surgeries or at end of life.
Speakers:
Speakers:
- Dale Reisner, MD, Medical Director (OBGYN/Quality & Safety) at Swedish Health Services
- Isabel D’Amrosia, LICSW, UW Medical Center Northwest
- Ashley Van Oeveren, LICSW, Lead Social Worker at Snoqualmie Valley Hospital
- My Choices If I Become Sick in the COVID Pandemic
- Supplement to Advance Health Care Directive Due to COVID-19 - Courtesy of Matt Wiese of Wiese Law Corporation
Navigating COVID-19 & Resurgence | July 13, 2020
COVID-19 is continuing to impact our country deeply. In this live session, we explored factors related to the growing resurgence of the virus. Although we have learned a lot, COVID-19 is still a mystery in many aspects. What does this mean for us as we are weighing risks of continuing to physically distance, mask, and protect ourselves and those we work with? Are there actions we can be taking to improve or understand our own body better?
Dale Reisner, MD, Medical Director (OB/GYN Quality & Safety) at Swedish Health Services gave us an update on how the health system and country are coping with the pandemic, and new insights in navigating the virus.
Dale Reisner, MD, Medical Director (OB/GYN Quality & Safety) at Swedish Health Services gave us an update on how the health system and country are coping with the pandemic, and new insights in navigating the virus.
Open Community Conversation About COVID-19 | June 15, 2020
Weekly Community Conversation with Dale Reisner, MD, Medical Director (OB/GYN Quality and Safety) at Swedish Health Services. We took questions questions, discussed concerns, and shared examples of positive advocacy adaptation due to COVID-19. This was our community’s opportunity to talk live, in a professional and safe environment about the pandemic.
Navigating Hospice During COVID-19 | June 8, 2020
Our speakers included: Stacey Jones, Director at Providence Hospice & Palliative Care, and Bruce Smith, MD, MACP, FAAHPM, HMDC, Hospice Medical Director at Providence Health & Services. Dale Reisner, MD, Medical Director (OBGYN/Quality & Safety) at Swedish Health Services gave updates on what is happening in the health system with COVID-19, what has changed, and what to expect ahead.
- Misconceptions of Hospice pre-COVID-19
- Differences between hospice and palliative care
- How Hospice has changed with COVID-19
- What is happening now
- What will be the new normal with hospice moving forward
- Providing specific resources/actions or ideas for participants
Caregiving & Home Care During COVID-19 | June 1, 2020
Caregiving or bringing in a caregiver into your home has special considerations during COVID-19.
Shawn D’Amelio, Director of Business Development at With a Little Help, Inc. and President of the Washington Home Care Association discussed safety and the new realities in utilizing caregivers inside the home. Dale Reisner, MD, Medical Director (OBGYN/Quality & Safety) at Swedish Health Services provided updates about what Washington State health providers and systems are doing regarding COVID-19.
Shawn D’Amelio, Director of Business Development at With a Little Help, Inc. and President of the Washington Home Care Association discussed safety and the new realities in utilizing caregivers inside the home. Dale Reisner, MD, Medical Director (OBGYN/Quality & Safety) at Swedish Health Services provided updates about what Washington State health providers and systems are doing regarding COVID-19.
Personal Safety Nets: Being Prepared During COVID-19 | May 25, 2020
Our speakers included Dale Reisner, MD, Medical Director (OBGYN/Quality & Safety) at Swedish Health Services and Denise Malm, MSW, Wallingford Senior Center.
Understanding Ventilators & End of Life Choices During COVID-19 | May 18, 2020
Our speakers included Jim deMaine, MD retired pulmonary and critical care doctor for 30+ years; Emeritus Professor of Medicine, UW and Bonnie Bizzell, MBA, MEd, Community Engagement Liaison & Program Manager, Honoring Choices PNW.
Navigating Pregnancy During COVID-19 | May 11, 2020
Our speakers included Dale Reisner, MD, Medical Director (OBGYN/Quality & Safety) at Swedish Health Services.
Navigating Cancer Health During COVID-19 | May 4, 2020
Speakers included Dale Reisner, MD, Medical Director (OBGYN/Quality & Safety) at Swedish Health Services and Fred Appelbaum, MD, Executive Sr. VP and Deputy Director, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.
Navigating Mental Health During COVID-19 | April 27, 2020
Speakers included Dale Reisner, MD, Medical Director (OBGYN/Quality and Safety) at Swedish Health Services and Veronika M Zantop, MD, Psychiatric Hospitalist and Medical Director of Women's Wellness at Swedish Medical Center.
Navigating Loss Amid COVID-19 | April 13, 2020
Trudy James joined our Community for a discussion about how to navigate loss (not just death) in the time of COVID-19. WASHAA Board Member Dale Reisner, MD, Medical Director (OBGYN/Quality & Safety) at Swedish Health Services provided updates on the COVID-19 situation from the health provider frontline.
Caregiving in the Time of COVID-19 | April 6, 2020
An open discussion about health advocacy in the time of COVID-19. We focused on caregiving as a topic area. Speakers included Dale Reisner, MD, from Swedish Health Services and Albert Munanga, DrBH, MSN, RN from ERA Living.
WA State & COVID-19 | March 30, 2020
Where our state is and what we are doing to prepare for increased COVID-19 cases. WASHAA Board Member Dale Reisner, MD gave us an update and answered questions.