Return to Latest COVID-19 Team Member Updates
The past year has been challenging and, at times, emotionally overwhelming. It is normal and understandable to feel anxiety, sadness, and fear. We encourage you to reach out for help coping with the stress and new challenges our community has endured.
Need a listening ear?
Messiah Lifeways has a new Employee Assistance and Work-Life Program available at no cost to all team members and their immediate family members. EmployeeConnect can provide assistance in a variety of ways, through face-to-face or telephonic consultations and their many online resources. Find help with stress management, anxiety and depression, parenting and family issues, legal matters, education planning and more.
Click here for an informational flyer or visit their website at GuidanceResources.com
Username: LFGSupport; Password: LFGSupport1
For immediate assistance, call 1-888-628-4824 to speak with a counselor who can provide counseling and referrals.
Immediate Stress Reduction Techniques with WB Music Therapy
WB Music Therapy has provided a very effective music program to the residents on our campus and are now expanding their reach, in a new way, to team members. Check out these 10 -12 minute videos focused on immediate stress reduction. These videos are a great way to start or end your day – helping you to maintain or transition to a positive, relaxed mindset.
Carebridge EAP App
The carebridge app, in addition to other useful resources, offers mindfulness exercises and podcasts to help promote relaxation and stress relief. Simply go to the App Store on your device and search Carebridge EAP.
Listed below are some sections of the app you might find especially helpful during COVID-19. Feel free to explore and find the resources that best fit you.
Stress Release and Relaxation Videos and Audio
Under the Carebridge App select Mindfulness and Wellness. Once inside, you’ll find short Mindful Audio and Videos that help promote relaxation and stress relief after a long day or week.
Also under the main menu of the app, you’ll find a section called Pandemic Support. This section offers self care audio tips – coping, breathing exercises, relaxation exercises and more.
Prevent Burnout
The Buddy System couples individuals in similar roles, who work within physical proximity and similar shifts so that they can keep an eye on and support each other.
• Offer to help each other with basic needs such as getting a snack, water, or transportation to/from work.
• Encourage each other to take breaks throughout the shift.
• Watch each other put on their Personal Protective Equipment, for their physical safety.
• Acknowledge difficult situations that have occurred that day.
• Demonstrate appreciation for achievements, even the smallest moments of the day.
• Share humor, hope, gratitude, and optimism.
• Share stress relief opportunities such as breathing exercises, stretching, meditation, and healthy sleep habits.
Learn more: Preventing Burnout using the Buddy System
Processing the Passing of a Resident
Front line team member develop relationships that are meaningful with residents. Often they are there helping and caring for residents, in the most intimate ways, when family members cannot. It is a unique relationship, one to be valued and honored. When a resident passes, front line team members may not have the opportunity to properly process their loss.
Suggestions on ways to process your grief:
- Find a way to honor the relationship you had with the resident. Often having the opportunity to say out loud, “you mattered to me and I will miss you” can create a sense of healing.
- Keep a journal with your personal thoughts
- Reflect on the meaning that came from the work you did with the resident
- Reflect on how he/she impacted your life
- Write down what you would like others to know about the resident
- Write down what you would like this resident’s family to know about him/her if you could share this with them
- Imagine the resident sitting with you: what would you like to say to him or her and what she/he might say in return
source: When Your Patient Dies
Aetna & CVS Health Support site
Click here for a flyer describing the support Aetna and CVS Health can provide.
Team Pennsylvania COVID-19 Crisis Counseling Program
Click here for a flyer – Get connected with a FREE crisis counselor. This resource has been recommended by LeadingAgePA
