It is a great time to consider getting the new COVID booster if you are eligible, in order to offer greater protection to you and your family during this holiday season. We’ve heard a lot of questions about the new booster and have asked some experts to respond. Take a look at the following Q and A and consider getting the updated vaccination. Thanks to Iowa Immunizes for gathering the answers.
We’ve received a number of questions from you the past two years about Conditions of Employment and particularly during the pandemic. We thank Jo Ellen Whitney, Dentons Davis Brown, PC for providing answers to your questions and ours.
Click here to view the full Q & A.
How much do you know about vaccines?
No matter where you stand, how would you like to learn more about:
The Vaccine Quest is a free online course developed in collaboration with the world's top vaccine and science experts.
The course is open to everyone and suitable for all levels of vaccine knowledge. We hope you will join us on this journey.
Click here to read Issue #1 —
Topic: Children and COVID-19 Vaccines
Click here to read Issue #2 —
Topic: Pregnancy, Fertility and COVID-19 Vaccines
You can also find helpful information about the COVID-19 Vaccine on the CDC website: Myths and Facts about COVID-19 Vaccines
Click here to isten to the discussion.
Iowa Department of Human Services (IDHS) released COVID Recovery Iowa which offers excellent resources that includes free virtual counseling and assistance for all Iowans affected by COVID-19.
Click here to view the poster.
Click here to view the flyer.
Call: 1-844-755-WARM or visit: www.COVIDrecoveryiowa.org to learn more.
14 Regional Mental Health Centers Are Available to Help
Reach out to your region for assistance.
Click here to view the regional map.
Click here for more information about region contacts.
If you are in the East Central Region, view this flyer for more information.
“Once again, the Iowa Department of Public Health is showing that its first inclination is secrecy, rather than sharing information that helps the people of this state understand the scope and danger of the coronavirus.” — Randy Evans, Iowa Freedom of Information Council executive director.
Click here to view the State Hygienic Lab letter on nursing homes.
Increased Concern for Long Term Care Residents
LIHEAPApplication Period Extended to June 30, 2020.
Funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has been provided under the recent Cares Act passed by Congress and the deadline for individuals to apply has been extended to June 30, 2020.
Iowa families are facing many challenges as they cope with the COVID-19 virus. Some have lost jobs or had their hours of employment reduced. These circumstances could lead to difficulty in paying their utility bill.
You can find a link to information about your local community action agency by going to the Iowa Department of Human Rights website at https://humanrights.iowa.gov/dcaa/where-apply or by dialing 2-1-1.
“Nothing defines ESSENTIAL quite like a pandemic.” Direct care workers and child care workers are in the thick of the pandemic right now.
Listen to this podcast, A Deeper Dive, from the Child and Family Policy Center about Iowans on the front lines battling COVID-19 with Iowa CareGivers.
The coronavirus has brought important attention to nursing homes and the challenges they face in keeping residents safe and well. Thousands of journalists and citizens from across the country have flooded traditional and social media with reporting and commentary.
Click here to read The Gazette Guest Columnist article by John and Terri Hale.
The EveryStep Hospice COVID-19 Unit is located in the Glazer-Burt Wing at EveryStep’s Bright Kavanagh Center, 3000 Easton Blvd., in Des Moines. The six-room, fully-contained unit will be exclusively available to hospice patients with COVID-19 who need 24/7 care.
If the organizations or programs you work with serve people who are facing end-of-life illness, are diagnosed with COVID-19 and need 24/7 care, the EveryStep Hospice COVID-19 Unit offers a safe, home-like option in a beautiful setting.
Click here to read more.
On the Frontlines of COVID-19 (December 2020)
Direct Care Worker Survey Results
COVID PPE and Testing Update (Oct. 2020)
Direct Care Worker Survey Results (as of 11/16/2020)
Employer Survey Results (as of 11/16/2020)
COVID-19 Check In (July 2020)
Direct Care Worker Survey Results (as of 8.18.20)
Employer Survey Results (as of 8.18.20)
COVID Follow Up
Direct Care Worker Survey Results (as of 6.15.20)
Employer Survey Results (as of 6.15.20)
COVID-19 Testing and Support
DCW Survey Results (as of 5.20.20)
Employer Survey Results (as of 5.20.20)
Childcare Challenges During COVID-19
Direct Care Worker Survey Results
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Concerns and Other Fears
Direct Care Worker Survey Results
Iowa CareGivers’ (ICs) goal during the COVID-19 pandemic is to fight for the safety and well-being of those on the front lines of direct care and the Iowans of all ages and abilities that you are doing your best to protect. We’ve reserved this page of our website to provide you with up to date and reliable information.
We also know you are dealing with levels of high anxiety and fear and we’ve created a positive space for you and your supporters to engage in conversation and provide support to each other.
Please join in our Caregiver Conversations on our facebook page, we'd love to hear from you!
Nursing Assistants/Home Care/Hospice Aides, Direct Support Professionals, and Other Direct Care Workers (DCWs) Are Among Those Who Are the Best Defense in Fighting the Spread of COVID-19.
Click here to read Iowa CareGivers’ Response to COVID-19.
With the current information overload regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) we urge you to seek out reliable resources!! It may be tempting to call your nurse friend to ask for advice, but when public health experts are releasing updated information and guidelines so often… it is important to stay abreast of any updates and take their recommendations seriously in order to adequately protect yourself, your loved ones, your communities, and the people you may provide care or assistance for. You can help by sharing the resources below to ensure people are receiving more consistent and accurate information.
SUPPORT AND PROTECT HEALTH CARE WORKERS SO THEY CAN PROTECT THOSE MOST VULNERABLE AND THEIR FAMILIES
Health care workers (paid and volunteer) in all settings from hospitals and clinics to nursing homes and hospices have greater exposure to COVID-19 and are therefore at more risk of contracting the virus than most. If those on the frontlines contract the virus those they care for are also at risk. It is critical that health care workers:
Health care workers are the selfless heroes who have the compassion and capacity to care for those who are ill while working to contain the spread until the threat of COVID-19 passes. It is vitally important that these essential members of our workforce receive the support they need from all of us during this time and that policy-makers provide the needed resources.
Direct-care workers were already under stress due to low wages and, for most, lack of health insurance. Now, the shortage of personal protective equipment may bring some to a breaking point, guest columnist Di Findley of Iowa CareGivers writes.
Click here to read the article.
Click here to read The Daily Dispatch in its entirety courtesy of Iowa Capital Dispatch
Click here to print out legal guidance and give it to the hospital along with the "passport" form. Or add a page to the "passport" form that says something along the lines of:
This information is not a waiver of any civil rights for this patient under federal and state law including but not limited to the Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act which prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability in health programs or activities.
Click here to download form.
Caregivers could be among the workers who provide oxygen, nutrition, medication and support to people in their homes.
Click here to read The Des Moines Register's Editorial.
New study says 20% of Iowa health care workers have to quit to care for their children.
Click here to read the article on kcci.com.
Important Information For Those In Direct Care Regarding COVID-19.
Iowa CareGivers is advocating relentlessly for PPE, testing and childcare assistance for direct care workers in order to ensure the safety of those served, their own families and themselves.
Click below to see recent coverage:
We Are Iowa: https://bit.ly/2RmVZaj