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Quality Assurance

HCBS Quality and Risk Mitigation Webinars

IDoA, with its provider network, continues to promote independence, dignity, and quality of life to older adults in Illinois. Providing continued educational opportunities through the Quality Webinar platform is a vital piece of this mission when serving older adults through the provision of home and community-based services under the Medicaid Program. This ongoing webinar series provides an opportunity for professionals with similar goals to share their knowledge and experiences to enhance our network's understanding of successful risk mitigation and best-practice approaches.

September 28, 2023

Role of Occupational Therapy

Presenter: Steven Taylor, PhD, OTR/L, RUSH & Ryan Durkin, OTD, OTR/L, RUSH         

Please join us in learning how Occupational Therapy Practitioners provide a unique role which partners well with other caregivers for older adults in the community-based setting.  It has proven to reduce the percentage of falls following therapy, a reduction in rehospitalizations, and cost savings in annual medical costs for older adults with dementia and their caregivers. Using a combination of screenings, durable medical equipment, assistive technology, and training for both the participant and the caregiver, Occupational Therapy Practitioners enable older adults to complete their day-to-day activities, despite impairments, activity limitation, participation restrictions, or risks for their specific problems. An older adult’s increased capacity to perform activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living, assists in their everyday activities that people do as individuals, in families, and within their communities to occupy time and bring meaning and purpose to life.  

August 24, 2023

SAFE – Home Opioid Management Education in Older Adults: Naloxone and Opioid Awareness Program (SAFE-HOME)

Presenter: Abigail T. Elmes, PharmD, BCPS, University of Illinois Chicago – College of Pharmacy

In collaboration with RUSH, E4Center, CATCH-ON, and University of Illinois Chicago – College of Pharmacy

Please join us in learning the goal of SAFE-HOME.   Every day in the United States, 187 people die from an opioid-related overdose, a rate that has been on the rise since the late 1990s. Naloxone is a highly effective drug that can reverse an opioid overdose if administered in time, typically by someone who is on the scene when, or shortly after, an overdose occurs. Despite its benefits, naloxone is underutilized. Education on opioid overdose, misuse, and naloxone rescue has been shown to be most effective when provided directly in the community setting. The goal of the SAFE-Home Opioid Management Education (SAFE-HOME): Naloxone and Opioid Awareness program is to educate health and caregiving professionals on the risks of opioid medications and the appropriate use of naloxone, particularly in older adults, in order to educate and empower their patients in the midst of the opioid epidemic.

July 27, 2023

Drink Water. Live Better.

Presenter: Susan Glassman, MS Ed. University of Illinois Extension                                    

Learn how older adults can stay hydrated with different beverages, including water, identify symptoms of dehydration, and list the benefits of staying hydrated.

May 11, 2023

6th Annual Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day Symposium

Presented by:  National Council on Aging and partners: Administration for Community Living, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, E4 Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Disparities in Aging

Please explore this virtual conference for public health practitioners, professionals in the aging network, mental health providers, health care professionals, and anyone interested in ensuring the mental health of older adults.

May 3, 2023

Valued Social Roles in Older adults with Serious Mental Illness

Presenters: Marcia Hunt, PhD & Catherine H. Stein, PhD & Jim Klasen           

Presenters describe how the concept of valued social roles can shape our work with older adults coping with serious mental illness.  We focus on how people providing health care and assistance to older adults with mental illness can best partner with them to address the impact of social role losses and gains and work together to help these adults enact desired and valued social roles.

February 9, 2023  

Professional Self-Care (v 2023)

Presenter: Dr. Martha R. Crowther, Director of Clinical Psychology, University of Alabama                       

Dr. Crowther teaches professional caregivers’ activities that increase resilience and implement strategies to improve their self-care during stressful times, while also identifying caregiver responses to stress as well as the common indicators of burnout and compassion fatigue.

January 27, 2023

Upskill Your Medicaid Knowledge (v 2023)

Presented by IDoA Senior Health Insurance Program staff                   

This presentation focused on Medicaid coverage and how it works with Medicare.  Both new and seasoned audiences learned from this training.  Presenters touched on Medicare Savings Programs, Full Medicaid, Medicaid Waiver (CCP Services), Medicare/Medicaid Integration, and the new enrollment periods made available by CMS for 2023.

January 25, 2023

Upskill Your Medicare Knowledge (v 2023)

Presented by IDoA Senior Health Insurance Program staff                                 

This webinar reviews 2023’s changes to Medicare Eligibility & Enrollment and new Medicare Part A, B, C, and/or D content in the year 2023. It also includes details on the Inflation Reduction Act, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, and the effect on Medicare as of January 2023.

February 29, 2022

Older Black Americans & Mental Health

Presenters: Dr. Martha R. Crowther, Director of Clinical Psychology, University of Alabama and Danielle McDuffie, MA, University of Alabama   

This presentation will describe important issues for mental health researchers and service providers to consider when working with older African Americans.  It also provides a review of the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of depression, anxiety, and dementia among this population.

November 22, 2021

Palliative Care & Hospice: What’s the Difference?

Presented by Julie Bobell, Education Liaison, Memorial Health Advanced Care Management in Springfield, IL

This webinar will define Palliative Care & Hospice Care, share their likeness and differences, and identify those who may benefit from either service.  It will also identify the roles of care teams and caregivers.

August 26, 2021

If You’re Not Counted, Then You Don’t Count: Why Collecting Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Data Matters

Presented by James Moorhead, Aging Service Manager, Office of Aging and Disability Services, Maine Department of Health and Human Services             

This LGBT Webinar explores basic terms related to gender identity & sexual orientation, the history of LGBT older adults, how LGBT history impacts access to current services, and how to use inclusive demographic questions.

April 15, 2021

Caregiver's Roller Coaster Ride - Part II

Presented by Cheri Burcham & Tessa Hobbs-Curley of University of Illinois Extension

This webinar shares strategies of self-care for the caregiver, including the use of a caregiving team and productive communication techniques to reduce stress and possible burnout.

April 8, 2021

Expanding Your Tool Kit for Referrals: Interactive Health Promotion Workshops

Presented by Peggy Tully & Katie Zahm of Age Options     

In this webinar, learn how you can provide the best support to your clients by referring them to an opportunity to better manage their health and increase their independence!  The Illinois Pathways to Health is a statewide network hub of evidence-based programs to help improve the health and wellness of older adults and adults with disabilities throughout the state of Illinois. Programs are all recognized by the ACL as highest tier evidence based and have proven to improve participants’ health and wellness.

March 11, 2021

A Caregiver's Roller Coaster Ride - Part I

Presented by Cheri Burcham & Tessa Hobbs-Curley of University of Illinois Extension            

This webinar examines the mixed emotions, the losses, and the changes in relationships (with family members, with a spouse, with themselves) that a caregiver experiences while caring for a loved one.

February 25, 2021

Baby Boomers and Substance Misuse: What the Aging Network Needs to Know and What You Can Do About It

Presented by Dr. Fred Blow via E4 Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Disparities in Aging

In recent years, the abuse of alcohol and other psychoactive drugs among older adults has been increasing. Also, there is a growing proportion of individuals in the U.S. who are near or in retirement, and a larger cohort of ‘Baby Boomers’ who will reach later life in the coming decades. There is growing evidence that older adults today drink alcohol, and abuse prescription and illicit drugs, at higher levels than previously reported. This webinar will highlight key recommendations in the recently published SAMHSA Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) #26: Treatment of Substance Use Disorder in Older Adults, and will focus on the nature and extent of substance use and abuse in later life, best-practices for screening and identification of late-life substance abuse, and brief motivational intervention strategies targeting older adults who misuse substances.

January 14, 2021

Suicide in Later Life: Clinical and Public Health Perspectives

Presented by Dr. Yeates Conwell via E4 Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Disparities in Aging

Older adulthood is a period of high risk for suicide.  This webinar will review the epidemiology of suicide in later life, the factors associated with injurious behavior in older adults, and he approaches to its prevention from both clinical and public health perspectives. It also reviews the issues raised by the COVID-19 pandemic with regards to suicide and its prevention.

December 8, 2020

Holiday Drinking: Helping Older Adults be Happier and Safer

Presented by Dr. Fred Blow via E4 Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Disparities in Aging

“Using alcohol to cope” places many older adults at heightened risk for negative consequences, especially with social isolation during the coronavirus pandemic.  This webinar will highlight the special risks of drinking among older individuals and how these risks are heightened over the holidays.

November 5, 2020

How Stress Affects Older Adults & Caregivers During a Pandemic Presented by: Nikki Rashes, CRSS, Outreach and Volunteer Manager, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI Metro Suburban)                  During this presentation, participants will explore what stress is and how it is affecting themselves and those they care for during the unsettling times we are living in.  Topics covered will include responses to stress and grief arising out of the pandemic, ways to combat isolation and how important it is to create the “new normal” necessary to cope with the unprecedented situation we are all facing.

October 1, 2020

Senior Strength Program

Presented by: Douglas Hurst, Peer Specialist Workforce Development Program Manager, DBSA (Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance)- Chicago HQs

DBSA is celebration its 35th anniversary in 2020 and is most known for hundreds of support groups nationwide.  DSA is grateful to be the leading organization which focuses on the voice of the peer and those with lived experience.  Support groups and peer support specialists are what DBSA knows best and they will be presenting them to our network and offering how are senior population can tap into these services for greater levels of mental health and wellness – now needed more than ever during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

August 12, 2020

Resiliency, Self-Care and Re-Engagement

Presented by Cheri Burcham & Tessa Hobbs-Curley of University of Illinois Extension

In the past few months, our society has changed dramatically. We continue to practice social distancing and other safety measures, which has affected the way we live and work. We face many challenges right now that cause a lot of unease and stress. With stress identified as a global health epidemic, along with the addition of an ever-changing pandemic, it is now more important than ever to identify and build resiliency skills to manage and thrive at home and in the workplace. There will also be health and safety guidelines to consider as we plan to re-engage with participants of older adult services. This session will focus on the characteristics of resilient people and explore strategies for building self-resilience and practicing self-care. Re-engagement with service participants will also be discussed – balancing the need for safety measures while re-building relationships – both seen as critical components for a successful transition.

July 30, 2020

Enhancing Socialization Through Meaningful Connections During COVID-19

Presented by Melanie Kluzek, MS, RDN, LDN, Nutritionist for Older American Services, Illinois Department on Aging  

Due to the risk for contracting the Corona virus, social distancing and “sheltering at home” have become the new normal.  Many older adults are staying home as much as possible and limiting in-person contact to protect themselves.  As a result, they are experiencing an even greater risk of social isolation and feelings of being disconnected. This quality webinar aims to increase and enhance social connections while practicing social distancing.  In addition, it also provides the tips and resources needed to increase virtual socialization while still “sheltering at home.”

June 18, 2020

QW - It's Your Wellness Your Way with WRAP®

Presented by: Judith A. Cook, Ph.D, Jessica A. Jonikas, MA, Sean Johnson, MA, CRSS-E:  Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago          

The Wellness Recovery Action Plan® or WRAP®, is a self-designed prevention and wellness process that anyone can use to get well, stay well and make their life the way they want it to be. It was developed in 1997 by a group of people who were searching for ways to overcome their own mental health issues and move on to fulfilling their life dreams and goals.  It is now used extensively by people in all kinds of circumstances, and by health care and mental health systems all over the world to address all kinds of physical, mental health and life issues. Please join the webinar to receive an overview of the program.

February 27, 2020

Guardianship, Powers of Attorney, and Alzheimer’s

Presented by Peck Ritchey, LLC of Attorneys at Law in Chicago

In this webinar, learn about Guardianship, Powers of Attorney, and Decision-Making Capacities for those with Alzheimer’s

 January 23, 2020

Improving Care and Awareness for People with Parkinson’s Disease

Presented by Joan Gardner RN BSN, Rose Wichmann PT, Struthers Parkinson’s Center, A Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence, Park Nicollet Health Services, Golden Valley MN

Join us in improving care and awareness for people with Parkinson’s Disease by experts in Parkinson’s care.

December 19, 2019

Addressing Social Isolation in Seniors: Statewide Initiative

Presented by Phyllis Roate, Regional and Grants Coordinator, Office of Older Americans’ Services, Illinois Department on Aging, Springfield, Illinois

Join us to learn the Illinois statewide initiative in addressing social isolation in older adults

October 24, 2019

Mental Health in Older Adults

Presented by: Ryan Rollinson, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, College of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago

This webinar, Mental Health in Older Adults, will Improve your understanding of mental health conditions and their impact on older adults, recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health conditions in older adults, and understand interventions and tools for working with older adults with mental health conditions.

September 26, 2019

Malnutrition: How CCP & Home and Community Based Programs Can Make an Impact

Presented by: Presented by Melanie Kluzek, MS, RDN, LDN, Nutritionist for Older American Services,

In this webinar, you will learn to identify the association between poor nutrition and malnutrition and quality of life.  You will also learn the steps to follow when someone is at high nutrition risk and available resources to address malnutrition.

August 15, 2019

Medication Management of Psychiatric Participants

Presented by Archana Jhawar, Clinical Assistant Professor, Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy in Chicago and Rockford, University of Illinois in Chicago

This Medication Management of Psychiatric Participants webinar will help you learn some general categories of mental health difficulties, common medications for certain mental health medications, side effects, and what a CCP caregiver can do when such signs of ineffectiveness and non-compliance are noted.

June 27, 2019

Hospice and CCP Participants: Promoting Dignity, Choices and Rights

Presented by Julie Bobell, Education Liaison, Memorial Home Hospice, Springfield, IL

Join us to discover the Case Managers’ and Homecare Aides’ roles in the hospice discussions, the difference between hospice and palliative care, the myths & misconceptions, and to learn about Advanced Care Planning.

May 30, 2019

Dehydration: Identification of Symptoms & Mitigation of Associated Risks Webinar

Presented by Jessy Thomas & Mary Colette Crang, Visiting Nurse Practitioners, University of Illinois in Chicago

Join us to identify the symptoms and warning signs associated with dehydration while understanding the treatment guidelines, intervention and prevention strategies, and how you can help.

April 25, 2019

 Assessing Fall Risk Through the use of the CDC’s STEADI Toolkit

Presented by:  Timothy Hanke, PT, PhD, Professor, Physical Therapy Program, College of Health Sciences, Midwestern University               

Join us to understand the CDC STEADI Initiative (STOPPIN Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries) which was developed for health care providers who treat older adults.

March 28, 2019

Preventing Falls: Environmental Safeguards and Resources to Support Risk Mitigation Efforts

Presented by: Mike Berkes & Jody Martin, Illinois Department on Aging   

Join us to learn about environmental safeguards which care coordinators and homecare aides can observe and assist participants and family members to put into place for a safer living environment

February 27, 2019

Medications and Fall Risk in Older Adults

Presented by: Michael Koronkowski, PharmD, BCGP, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago

Join us for Medications and Fall Risk in Older Adults: Preventing Falls Among Community-Dwelling Older adults: Focus on Medications. This webinar will focus on medication factors which increase the risk of falls and the preventions of such factors.

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