Supporting Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Through Life-Ending Illness, Grief and Loss

- A Live and Interactive Webinar -

The Arc Davidson County & Alive Hospice present Hospice Foundation of America’s Fall New Perspectives webinar, "Supporting Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Through Life-Ending Illness, Grief and Loss". This live and interactive webinar is a learning opportunity for caregivers, nurses, social workers, counselors, psychologists, funeral directors, clergy, and those who support and care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This educational opportunity is offered free of charge, but registration is required.

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The ethical, medical management, and psychosocial issues for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who face death, grief and loss can be complex. This two-hour educational program focuses on the critical challenges of providing and accessing optimal end-of-life care and bereavement support for this population.

The Arc Davidson County is a family based organization that promotes, protects, and advocates for the right of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live self-determined, meaningful lives in inclusive communities.

Alive Grief Support Services is a comprehensive program that addresses the needs that arise following the death of a loved one, providing bereavement care for patients’ family members and the community at large. Services are designed to meet the bereavement needs of children and adults who have experienced the death of a loved one in the past two years.

Panelists:

Marisa C. Brown, MSN, RN

Kenneth J. Doka, PhD, MDiv

Tawara D. Goode, MA

Matthew P. Janicki, PhD

Leigh Ann Kingsbury, MPA

Teresa T. Moro, AM, LSW  

Elizabeth Perkins, PhD, RNMH

Rick Rader, MD, FAAIDD

Self Advocate Respondents:

Under development

Review Committee:

Pam Kushner, MA, MD, FAAFP

Hosted by:

Frank Sesno, Director of the School of Media & Public Affairs at The George Washington University

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this program, participants will be able to:

1. Define and differentiate intellectual and developmental disabilities and note the patterns of morbidity and mortality with populations of such individuals;

2. Describe the critical issues that emerge in the medical management of life-limiting illness in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities;

3. Describe the special issues that arise in the assessment and management of pain in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities;

4. Discuss the ethical issues that arise in end-of-life care for individuals with intellectual disability;

5. Define grief and enumerate the types of losses that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families may experience;

6. Describe the ways that grief is manifested in persons with intellectual disability;

7. Discuss interventive approaches and strategies to assist persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are ill or grieving, as well as their families;

8. Identify national resources and initiatives for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and family members who are ill or grieving.

Note: The focus of this program is on intellectual disability and generally does not include developmental disabilities where cognitive function is unimpaired.