July 2020: Weekly Patient Resources
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Dear Patients, Family Members, and Caregivers:
The outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) has become stressful for many people. You may find yourself overwhelmed with the amount of information coming out from multiple sources.
IPRO ESRD Network of New York would like to share some important patient education resources that might be helpful for you, your family, friends, caregivers or others in your community.
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Mount Sinai Health System
"
COVID-19: Impact on Kidney Disease and Dialysis"
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American Kidney Foundation "
COVID-19 and Kidney Disease
":
Individuals with weakened immune systems and serious underlying health conditions are more susceptible to complications from COVID-19, and that means kidney disease patients are of particular concern. Dialysis treatment is essential, life-sustaining care, and is most often provided at a dialysis center away from a patient’s home. Given the need for patients receive treatment and care during a time of recommended shelter-in-place mandates and other social distancing recommendations, the American Kidney Fund (AKF) has issued five urgent reminders for patients:
- Do not skip treatment. Dialysis is life-sustaining and skipping a single session could put a patient’s health at life-threatening risk.
- Maintain constant communication with your care team. As this public health crisis evolves, dialysis centers are being flexible, adjusting their policies to align with public health expert rules. These changes may result in clinics temporarily closing waiting rooms to family members, or require that patients remain in their car up until the start of their dialysis treatment.
- Speak up if you experience symptoms of COVID-19. Patients should to inform their dialysis center immediately if they experience any symptoms, or if they have been exposed to anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 so that the center can take appropriate measures, including possible referral to a hospital or other designated center for treatment.
- Have an adequate supply of food and medicine on hand. Patients need to minimize trips to supermarkets or pharmacies to limit potential exposure to the virus. Adequate food supply should include items that adhere to the KCER 3-Day Emergency Diet Plan.
- Follow Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for hygiene and social distancing. This includes regular handwashing and avoiding close contact with others
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Mental Health Resources
Combating Social Isolation, Stress, Anxiety, Telehealth and .....More!
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World Health Organization:
Fear, worry, and stress are normal responses to perceived or real threats, and at times when we are faced with uncertainty or the unknown. So it is normal and understandable that people are experiencing fear in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Looking After Our Mental Health: As countries introduce measures to restrict movement as part of efforts to reduce the number of people infected with COVID-19, more and more of us are making huge changes to our daily routines. The new realities of working from home, temporary unemployment, home-schooling of children, and lack of physical contact with other family members, friends and colleagues take time to get used to. Adapting to lifestyle changes such as these, and managing the fear of contracting the virus and worry about people close to us who are particularly vulnerable, are challenging for all of us. They can be particularly difficult for people with mental health conditions. Fortunately, there are lots of things that we can do to look after our own mental health and to help others who may need some extra support and care.
- Mental health and psychosocial considerations during the COVID-19 outbreak: WHO and public health authorities around the world are acting to contain the COVID-19 outbreak. However, this time of crisis is generating stress throughout the population. The considerations presented in this document have been developed by the WHO Department of Mental Health and Substance Use as a series of messages that can be used in communications to support mental and psychosocial well-being in different target groups during the outbreak.
- Doing What Matters in a Time of Stress: An Illustrated Guide is a stress management guide for coping with adversity. The guide aims to equip people with practical skills to help cope with stress. A few minutes each day are enough to practice the self-help techniques. The guide can be used alone or with the accompanying audio exercises.
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Network Educational Resources
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Medicare Physical
The "Welcome to Medicare" physical exam is a one-time preventive physical exam paid for by Medicare. The exam should be scheduled within the first 12 months after you have enrolled into Medicare Part B.
If you have had Medicare Part B for more than 12 months, you can get a yearly “wellness” exam. The wellness physical exam is also covered by Medicare and will allow you and your doctor to develop a personalized health plan.
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Patient Advisory Committee (PAC)
The Patient Advisory Committee (PAC) provides an opportunity to patients, transplant recipients and care partners for the purposes of lending perspective and assisting in the promotion of patient, family and care partner engagement in ESRD care, as well as promoting positive relationships between patients, provider staff, ESRD stakeholders and the Network. The PAC consists of three separate levels of involvement: Members, Representatives and Advisors.
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The IPRO ESRD Network of New York team is available to offer you support 24-hours, 7-days a week.
Please call our dedicated COVID-19 Hotlines. Patients: 516-209-5626 or Providers 516-209-5578
to discuss positive cases, concerns/needs, reporting questions, or to request support/resources.
We are also accessible to provide technical assistance or guidance during this public health emergency.
Visit the Network's website for up-to-date information on CMS and CDC guidelines, alerts, educational resources, and stakeholder webinars.
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IPRO ESRD Network of New York
1979 Marcus Avenue, Suite 105, Lake Success, NY 11042
Main:
516-209-5778 |
Fax:
516-326-8929
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