Transi oning into the Community a er a Pandemic

Rehearsal Guide

...preparing people with intellectual disability/au sm (ID/A) to successfully

transi on back into the community

INTRODUCTION FOR CAREGIVERS A rehearsal guide contains realis c pictures, concrete ideas, and clear, brief instruc ons for guiding a person through what can be expected in a specific situa on. It includes helpful sugges ons for caregivers to follow to make the experience meaningful for the person and increase the likelihood of a successful outcome. This approach is beneficial when suppor ng people with intellectual disability/au sm (ID/A) who are anxious about situa ons such as doctors’ appointments, hospitaliza ons, and medical tes ng.

A rehearsal guide provides opportuni es for the caregiver to assist the person to learn about a specific situa on. It contains informa on about what is needed and why, and explains exactly what can be expected. Such a guide is most effec ve when it is person-centered and used in conjunc on with discussion to allow explora on of specific areas of concern. It can be a powerful tool when used as intended.

The expected result is that the person will then experience the situa on in a way that supports health and well-being by being prepared and knowing what to expect. The guide can be used at all stages of the situa on to facilitate a posi ve end result. Thank you for taking the me to use this tool to work with self-advocates to improve their health outcomes.

HOW TO USE THIS REHEARSAL GUIDE

For best results, begin to review this rehearsal guide with the person prior to the day of the appointment. Some mes it will help to review this material with an individual several days or weeks before an appointment; other mes, it may be be er to wait to review this material un l just before the procedure is to take place, perhaps the day before or the morning of the procedure. It is up to the caregiver to determine which will best suit the individual’s needs and abili es in understanding the informa on provided; however, it is important not to wait un l 5 minutes before a procedure to introduce this guide to an individual. Give the individual enough me in advance to become familiar with the procedure based on the pictures and informa on contained on each page and on the individual’s abili es.

It is best to review this guide slowly and to focus on one idea/page at a me, allowing the person to talk and/or ask ques ons a er each idea/page is presented. A caregiver may want to share experiences in regards to having this procedure done personally, but be sure to do so in a posi ve manner, depic ng a posi ve outcome.

For best prac ces: • Allot me to review this material when the individual is alert and interested in doing so. • Ensure that the se ng is free from distrac on. Based on the individual’s a en on span, it may be best to

review one page at a me, rather than reviewing an en re guide in one si ng. • Explain each picture and prac ce the suggested exercises with the individual, such as deep breathing, as

they appear throughout the guide. • On the day of the procedure, take this guide along to con nue rehearsing the various steps involved in the

procedure. Review each page step by step. • Remain posi ve, calm, and upbeat. • Remember to offer posi ve reinforcement and praise throughout the procedure, especially a er the

individual has successfully completed the procedure.

In The GREEN!

Just like a traffic light, green means GO!

If your county is in the green phase, it means you can GO!

You are allowed to do some things you were not allowed to do during the red and yellow phases.

What Can I Do?

You can go back to doing ac vi es that you enjoy doing in the community, such as:

Work or other day me ac vity

Shopping

Going out to eat

Bowling or going to the gym

Ge ng your hair cut or nails done

Note to caregiver: Explain to the individual that they can go to the places they used to enjoy. Ask the individual what places they would like to visit and make plans for an ou ng.

New Rules In The Community

The virus is s ll around, so there are new rules to help keep everyone safe during ac vi es in the

community.

Rule: You might have to wear mask.

New Rules In The Community

Rule: You might have to let someone to take your temperature before you go inside

places like work, stores, or vehicles.

New Rules In The Community Riding in a van or bus might look different.

Rule: You might have to wear a mask and sit

apart from others .

Note to caregiver: Explain to the individual how riding a van or bus to be transported into the community might be different now.

New Rules In The Community

Rule: You might be asked to wash your hands or use hand sani zer before going inside a

building.

Note to caregiver: Explain to the individual that it is important to wash their hands or use hand sani zer a er touching any surfaces while out in the community.

Work and Other Day me Ac vi es

You will probably be asked to wear a mask and sit apart from others on the van or bus.

You will probably be asked to wear a mask while at work or another day me ac vity.

Note to caregiver: Explain to the individual how ge ng to and being at work or another day me ac vity will be different than it used to be.

Work and Other Day me Ac vi es

You might have to allow someone to take your temperature before you going into places like

work, stores, or vehicles.

Note to caregiver: Explain to the individual that being out in the community will be different than it used to be. Explain that the rules at work or other day me ac vi es will be different.

Shopping

You will probably have to wear mask. You will be asked to stay a safe distance away from

other people.

Note to caregiver: Explain to the individual that the store might have circles, lines, or other markings on the floor that show a safe distance to stay from other people. Explain that they might see these markings in several different places in the community.

Shopping

There might be a plas c shield between you and the cashier.

Some stores might not let people go inside. A store employee might have to bring your items

outside to you.

Ea ng At Restaurants

You will probably have to wear mask.

Servers will probably wear masks when they take your order and when they bring your food.

Note to caregiver: Explain to the individual that going out to eat might be very different than what it used to be. Consider calling ahead to find out what the requirements are to dine before going,

Ea ng At Restaurants

You will be asked to sit a safe distance away from other people who are ea ng at the restaurant.

You might see shields on the tables.

Table shields protect other people when you take

off your mask to eat.

Table shields protect you when others people take off their masks to eat, too.

Ea ng At Restaurants

Some restaurants might ask you to sit outside while you eat.

Ea ng At Restaurants You might need to ask for items that used to be on

every table—sugar, salt, pepper, and ketchup.

Note to caregiver: Explain to the individual that condiments might no longer be le on tables at a restaurant. They might have to ask for them. Explain that these items might come in packets that are opened and thrown away. Some individuals might need help to open these packets.

Other Ac vi es

Other places might seem different, too:

Bowling allies might ask you to wear a mask and to keep a safe distance between you and others.

Hair and nail salons might require you to wear a mask. The stylist will probably wear a mask, too.

Note to caregiver: Explain to the individual that they may have to wear a mask, have their temperature taken, and answer ques ons about their health. Consider calling ahead for their requirements.

Other Ac vi es

A gym might want you to:

♦ Have your temperature taken before going in.

♦ Wear a mask inside the building.

♦ Spray and wipe exercise equipment you used.

Note to caregiver: Explain to the individual that, in addi on to the requirements listed on this page, they might have to answer ques ons about their health. Consider calling ahead to find learn the requirements.

If Worried Or Frightened

Many people feel nervous about returning to ac vi es in the community.

If you are worried or frightened, talk with

someone you trust — a caregiver, family member, friend, or therapist.

Note to caregiver: In addi on to fear and anxiety about new guidelines for returning to community ac vi es and the con nued risk for ge ng sick, an individual might be experiencing grief and loss if someone they know had the virus or they knew someone died from the virus. Encourage them to talk about such feelings before returning to community ac vi es.

If Worried Or Frightened

Remember, you do not have to leave home un l you feel ready to go into the community.

If Worried Or Frightened

Deep breathing exercises might help calm your fears and worry as you go out into the community.

1. Breathe out through your mouth, making a ‘whoosh’ sound, un l you are out of breath.

2. Breathe in through your nose as you count to 4. 3. Hold your breath as you count to 7. 4. Breathe out through your mouth as you count to 8. 5. Repeat these steps 4 mes.

Source: Relaxing Breath or 4-7-8 Breathing (Weil, A. 2006) Note to caregiver: Prac ce breathing exercises with the individual. If par cipant has difficulty coun ng, count for them.

The following pages offer reminders for returning

to community ac vi es.

General Community Guidelines

Call before you leave home.

• Make sure the place is open.

• Ask for current guidelines for visi ng.

General Community Guidelines

Wear a mask.

• In the community

• Around people who do not live at your house Note to caregiver: Assist the individual to prac ce pu ng on and removing a mask before going into the community. Explain that there are many types of masks they might see.

General Community Guidelines

Stay 6 feet apart from others.

Look for markers on the floor or ground that will help you know where to stand or sit.

Note to caregiver: Talk with the individual about social distancing. Prac ce staying six feet apart before going into the community.

General Safety Guidelines

Keep your environment clean.

• Clean surfaces and items that you touch o en.

• Clean surfaces and items that others touch, too.

General Safety Guidelines

Wash your hands o en.

• With soap and water, if possible

• With hand sani zer, if no soap and water nearby

Note to caregiver: Encourage the individual to prac ce proper handwashing for at least 20 seconds—the me it takes to sing the “Happy Birthday” song twice.

It’s that simple!

Following these guidelines and recommenda ons can help keep you and the people around you safe

and healthy!

I know you can do it! You always do a great job!

Note to caregiver: Offer the individual praise and posi ve feedback for following the recommended guidelines as they return into the community.

For addi onal informa on regarding this guide or

any of our physical or behavioral health trainings,

contact

Kepro SW PA Health Care Quality Unit

(KEPRO HCQU)

hcqu.kepro.com