The National Nursing Home Social Work Network offering four webinars this spring

The National Nursing Home Social Work Network is offering the following four webinars this spring!  There is no cost to participate; however, registration is required.

The POLST Paradigm in Nursing Homes 
Tuesday April 7, 3:00pm eastern (2:00pm central)
To register: https://uiowa-schoolofsocialwork.webex.com/uiowa-schoolofsocialwork/onstage/g.php?d=667262192&t=a

POLST stands for "Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment." The POLST paradigm is a system for increasing the chances that people who are in frail health get the type of medical care they prefer. It includes a medical order that communicates the patient preferences regarding attempting CPR and artificial nutrition through tubes. The presentation will describe the POLST paradigm and its rationale, discuss the extent to which it is being followed in states, and POLST in nursing homes. The three presenters are working together on a Hartford Change AGEnts Action Award, and will share insights from using POLST in two nursing homes. Speakers: Jane Dohrmann, MSW, Program Director, Honoring Your Wishes (http://iowacityhospice.org/honoring-your-wishes/), Nicole Peterson, advance practice nurse at the U Iowa College of Nursing, and Mercedes Bern-Klug, U Iowa School of Social Work.

Supervising Social Work Field Students in Nursing Homes
Wednesday April 22, 3:30pm eastern (2:30pm central)
To register: https://uiowa-schoolofsocialwork.webex.com/uiowa-schoolofsocialwork/onstage/g.php?d=668119379&t=a

This webinar will start off with Cathy Tompkins, MSW, PhD (George Mason University) and Bob Connolly, MSW (Geriatrics Consultant)sharing results from their study about social work field placements in aging settings (first 12 minutes). We will then transition to Lynda Sowbel who will discuss her many years of experience in placing undergraduate social work students in nursing home settings for field placements. She has advice for students and for nursing home social workers on how to make the most of this experience. Lynda R. Sowbel, PhD, LCSW-C is an Associate Professor/Director of Field Education in the department of Sociology & Social Work at Hood College in Frederick, Maryland.

Achieving Cultural Competence for the Younger Adult in the Long Term Care Setting (two part series)
Note! You must register for Part 1 and Part 2 separately.

To register for PART 1 (May 7th 2pm eastern/ 1pm central): https://uiowa-schoolofsocialwork.webex.com/uiowa-schoolofsocialwork/onstage/g.php?d=665547703&t=a
To register for PART 2 (June 10th 3pm eastern/2pm central): https://uiowa-schoolofsocialwork.webex.com/uiowa-schoolofsocialwork/onstage/g.php?d=665737969&t=a

The younger adult population in the nursing home poses unique challenges and opportunities for staff. This talk will address best practices such as identifying needs and wants and how to prioritize competing interests. Emphasis on facilitating relationships is key, all within a cultural context that both honors this cohort of adults but also provides clear guidance to staff on achieving the best possible outcomes. May 5th will be part ONE of a two part series. (Part 2 is scheduled for June 10th at 1pm eastern time) Our presenter is Paige Hector, LMSW Clinical Educator & Consultant Paige Ahead Healthcare Education & Consulting, L.L.C.

As part of the evaluation form, participants can request that a “Certificate of Attendance” be emailed to them. In some states these certificates of attendance can be used toward CEUs. Please check with your state.

For more information about the National Nursing Home Social Work Network click here.