Safeguarding Seniors When Disaster Strikes

WESTBURY, N.Y. - March 20, 2015 - PRLog -- Family & Children’s Association, Long Island’s leading human service agency is conducting a conference for first responders, emergency personnel, healthcare professionals, senior citizens and their caregivers entitled “Safeguarding Seniors When Disaster Strikes.” The conference, sponsored by PSE&G and free to attendees, will be held on April 22^nd at the Holiday Inn Westbury, 369 Old Country Road, Carle Place, NY from 8:30 a.m. to Noon and will focus on identifying and responding to the special needs of senior citizens during large-scale disaster or emergency events.  The keynote address will be delivered by Dr. Tom Demaria, an expert in psychological trauma response and founder of the trauma response team at LI University.  Three breakout sessions will be conducted including:

Project Light:  What have we learned from Hurricane Sandy?

The Nassau County Department of Health and Human Services in partnership with the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research will present its cutting edge research on the psychological impact of Hurricane Sandy and how this information can inform current intervention and future emergency preparedness efforts.  A major goal of this study is to inform first responders of the findings to help them better understand the impact of disasters on mental health and well being.  Speaking on this topic will be Rebecca M. Schwartz, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Population Health, Hofstra North Shore/LIJ School of Medicine and Samantha Kerath, Administrative Manager for Research, North Shore/LIJ Health Service.

Get a Kit, Make a Plan, Be Informed

In this workshop David Zaitlin, Recovery Director of Nassau County Office of Emergency Management, will focus on how to be prepared in a disaster, what measures to take in advance and during a disaster to reduce the risks to one’s safety.  Being prepared reduces anxiety, increases control and reduces the feeling of being overwhelmed when faced with the unexpected.  Donna Reed, Director of Long term Care from Nassau County Department of Health and Human Services will discuss her department’s role during a disaster.

Treatments for Traumatized Seniors

Increasingly, psychological traumatization of senior citizens has become an all too common phenomenon. Professionals, from a variety disciplines, are faced with becoming “first responders” for traumatized senior citizens. As such, it is crucial for these professionals to be aware of research-supported (i.e. evidence-based) treatments for trauma. This workshop, conducted by Dr. Robert Cavera a doctoral student at Hofstra University’s Child and Family Trauma Institute (CFTI), will focus on teaching the signs and symptoms of trauma in seniors, as well as exploring the current state of trauma treatment. Emphasis will be placed on practical strategies and interventions that can be employed by professionals in various community settings.

According to Family & Children’s Association President/CEO Jeffrey L. Reynolds, Ph.D., “We serve nearly 9000 seniors each year giving us insight into the special needs of this population during a crisis; we’re bringing Long Island’s seniors, their caregivers, healthcare and emergency professionals together to ensure those needs are met should Long Island experience an environmental disaster.  We’re very grateful to our sponsor PSE&G and supporters United Lifeline, Guildnet,  Agewell, Parker Jewish Institute, EAC  and Long Island University for their contributions toward making this event possible.”

Registration is required and space is limited; anyone interested in attending must register by April 15^th by emailing: dlent@familyandchildrens.org or phoning:  516-292-1300 X2223.

For more information on this event and Family & Children’s Association, please visit www.FamilyandChildrens.org

registration form:  http://www.familyandchildrens.org/event/safeguarding-seniors-when-disaster-strikes/