Community Education Webinars 2021-2022
Our Community Education programs facilitate constructive conversations in the community about loss, grief and other end-of-life issues.
Thank you to our Community Education Funding Partner
For information on Community Education, please contact
Leigh Bluestein, leighb@caringmatters.org or 301-990-7927
Caregiver Stress in Asian American Communities
Thursday, November 3, 2022
Approximately 41% of the state of Maryland’s Asian American population resides in Montgomery County. In Montgomery County, Asian Americans comprise of about 15% of the County’s overall population. A little over 27% of Asian Americans in Montgomery County are 55 years of age and above. Given the large percentage of Asian American older adults, it is important to understand the needs of Asian American older adults and their caregivers. Due to cultural norms, caregivers’ stress in Asian American communities is more complicated. Lack of resources and support for Asian American caregivers adds to the stress and burnout. Please join us for a discussion about this topic and learn how to support Asian American caregivers.
Learning objectives:
1. Brief information about the Asian American Health Initiative (AAHI), MCDHHS
2. Local Asian American population demographics
3. Cultural expectations around caregiving in Asian American communities
4. Risk of stress and burnout among Asian American caregivers
5. Best practice in supporting Asian American caregivers
6. Additional reading and resources
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Presenter: Phoebe Shih, LCSW-C, Asian American Health Initiative
Providing Inclusive and Affirming Care for the LGBTQ+ Community
June 15, 2022
The LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer) community faces significant discrimination when seeking healthcare services. LGBTQ+ patients experience refusal of care, intentional misgendering, un-acknowledgement of same-gender partners, and overall lack of knowledge in regards to the unique needs of LGBTQ+ patients. This thought-provoking webinar explores these disparities and ways to cultivate an inclusive, affirming and safe environment where LGBTQ+ patients, especially older adults, receive inclusive care from a welcoming health system.
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The webinar discusses/explores:
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Best practices and strategies for supporting the LGBTQ+ community
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Considerations for LGBTQ+ older adults
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Understanding the barriers faced accessing care and support services
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Lessons from the pandemic on continued disparity in health care
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Creating a welcoming environment
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Local and national community resources
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Presenter: Clare Madrigal, BSN, RN, REACH: Rainbow Education And Consulting for Health, LLC
Caring for the Caregiver, June 8, 2022
One of the most common problems family caregivers face is trying to juggle their job responsibilities with their caregiving responsibilities. Being a family caregiver is incredibly important, but it is critical not to lose sight of who you are. This informative webinar will explore ways that caregivers can care for themselves while continuing to care for their loved ones and balancing other responsibilities. Caregivers are often faced with feelings of grief even though their loved one is still with them. The presentation will also explore these feelings, known as anticipatory grief, and tools for healthy coping.
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Presenter: Judith R. Peres, LCSW-C
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This Zoom webinar is presented by CaringMatters in partnership with the
Montgomery County Public Schools Employee Assistance Program.
The End-of-Life Doulas: A Collaborative Approach to End-of-Life Care
April 28, 2022
This informative webinar discusses how the end-of-life doulas work collaboratively with the interdisciplinary team to support the needs of people at the end-of-life, while assisting their family members through the journey. The speakers present two case studies and share their experiences both as volunteers and professional community doulas hired for pay.
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Presenters: Valoria Walker, Doula by Destiny and Erin Collins, Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse
Grief Support for Yourself and Those You Care About
January 25, 2022
Grief is a normal and natural response to loss that we all experience at some point in our lives.
However, we don't always know how to best support ourselves and others who are grieving. Nothing
will take away the pain of grief, but there are ways to build resilience and things we can do to better
cope in the midst of grief.
This webinar is a straightforward discussion of grief, including tools and strategies for coping and
building resilience and ways to match our words and actions with our good intentions towards
anyone grieving the loss of someone close to them.
Topics include:
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Grief and the impact of Covid
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Tools and strategies to help support yourself, your loved ones and your community
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Online resources and reading recommendations
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Children's grief and strategies for parenting while grieving
This webinar was presented by CaringMatters in partnership with
Montgomery County Public Schools Employee Assistance Program.
Grief in the Workplace:
Guidance for Employees and Employers
December 15, 2021
"How are you?" This question has become more difficult to ask and answer during the pandemic. With employees returning to workplaces, it's important to consider how to make our words and actions match our good intentions of supporting those who are grieving.
This insightful free webinar covers:
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Grief and the impact of Covid
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Strategies for navigating workplace scenarios:
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The experience of front-line health care workers
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Coworkers grieving the death of a colleague
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Returning to work while grieving
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Supporting the grieving colleague
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The impact of grief on workplaces, both healthcare and non-healthcare locations
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Examples of Employee Assistance Program support throughout the pandemic
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Lessons from grief and mental health programs instituted by Adventist Healthcare
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This free webinar was funded by the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation.
Presenters:
Jim Rossi, Director of Adult Bereavement Services, CaringMatters
Nicole D'Uva, Associate Vice President, Employee Health & LifeWork Strategies, Adventist HealthCare
Understanding Your Choices for Your End of Life Care
Thursday, November 4, 2021
As part of our observance of November as National Hospice Month, this webinar discusses aspects of hospice, palliative care, related cultural considerations and important community-based resources to guide decisions and provide support. Understanding all of the options for end of life care can help individuals and families plan ahead to honor the values and wishes of their loved ones.
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The webinar explores:
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Key aspects of palliative care vs. hospice care​
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Cultural sensitivities at end of life, especially with respect to the Latino community
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What to expect when someone is actively dying
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Community-based resources
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Presenter: Anna Maria Izquierdo-Porrera, MD, PhD
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CaringMatters proudly partnered with WPSU Penn State and the New York Life Foundation to promote and screen, "Speaking Grief," a documentary about changing the way we understand grief. The film aims to create a more grief-aware society by validating the experiences of grievers and helping guide those who wish to support them. Speaking Grief features diverse representations of grief through candid interviews with families whose losses range from stillbirth to suicide.
View "Speaking Grief" below and then view the recording of CaringMatters' September 10th online film discussion, featuring panelists, Gilly Cannon, Director of Children's Bereavement; Jim Rossi, Director of Adult Bereavement; and Maria Collins, Vice President, New York Life Foundation.
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More grief support resources and videos are available at www.SpeakingGrief.org​