As Diabetes Care and Education Specialists, we have learned how to rise to the needs of PWD and other healthcare professionals during times of disaster. While this disaster is not weather related, it is showing to be more disruptive and deadly. During this event, we can apply some of the same disaster readiness, response, and recovery skills that we have previously learned.
I am hearing from some of DCES that they have been furloughed and are at home due to 'stay-at-home' orders, virtual medical visits, and even some low hospital census for non-Covid issues. As professionals, we can continue to contribute as we know we can make a difference! Due to our unique inter-professional skill set, we have a lot to offer. Because we are in this profession out of a genuine desire to care for people, it is not in our character to sit back and watch as this pandemic unfolds.
Here are some recommendations that you may want to consider.
- Get the word out to your colleagues that virtual volunteering is now becoming available!
- Check out your local community to see what organizations may have a need. The www.allforgood.org organization and www.pointsoflight.org are two that you can review to learn more. The Points of Light Volunteer initiative was started by former President, George H.W.Bush in 1990 as way that a 'neighbor can help a neighbor'.
- Reach out to your DCES colleagues and establish a 'think tank' with ideas on how DCES professionals can virtually volunteer.
- Establish a point person in your group who will help to coordinate all of the ideas, people, and organizations.
- Set up a group to begin thinking about what your patients with diabetes, your practice, and your community will need in regards to diabetes once this pandemic is over. No doubt we will see many changes to our practices and our lives in general. This new set of changes and challenges is often referred to as the 'second wave' of the disaster event and is every bit as important as the response to the event itself.
- Set up an After-Action review team so you can learn from the event and become better prepared to meet any future challenges. Continue to keep in contact with your local volunteer organizations.
As Mr. Rogers would say in his neighborhood, "When I would see scary things on the news my mother would tell me to look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping." If you want to calm your own fears and anxiety, reach out and help someone else.