Those of us who work in healthcare have always known that “the only constant is change”, but the COVID-19 pandemic has taken things to a new level. Everyone is likely dealing with some level of stress or anxiety. Hopefully, you’ll find something helpful in the list of COVID-19 resources below.
Free DIRECT download: COVID-19 Therapy resource list (cheat sheet). (Email subscribers get free access to all the resources in the Free Subscription Library.)
Outline:
- COVID-19 vaccines.
- AAC communication boards about COVID-19.
- Patient-friendly COVID-19 resources.
- Therapy materials and home exercise programs.
- Self-care during COVID-19.
- Telepractice and working from home.
- Staying informed about COVID-19.
- Related Eat, Speak, & Think posts.
- What are your go-to COVID-19 resources?
COVID-19 vaccines
UConn School of Pharmacy is publishing a series of educational videos about the COVID-19 vaccines, in English, Spanish, Polish, Mandarin, and Cantonese.
Questions include:
- Will I test positive after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine?
- Should pregnant or breastfeeding persons get the COVID-19 vaccine?
- Does the COVID-19 vaccine cause infertility?
- What are the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine?
- How was the COVID-19 vaccine studied in diverse populations?
- Are the COVID-19 vaccines effective against new strains?
- What is herd immunity and why is it important to defeat COVID-19?
- Can the COVID-19 vaccine cause Bell’s palsy?
- Does the COVID-19 vaccine contain formaldehyde, mercury, animal parts, or fetal tissue?
- Why is it really important that women receive the COVID-19 vaccine?
AAC communication boards
Here’s an excellent six-page topic board on the Coronavirus / COVID-19. You can use these images as visual support to your education, or your patient can use these images to ask questions or make comments.
Patient Provider Communication has pulled together a great resource page to help with communication about the Coronavirus. For instance:
- Supporting communication with patients who have COVID-19.
- Free English tools.
- Free bilingual tools.
- Case examples.
- Tips for bedside communication & materials preparation.
PrAACtical AAC has a great list of resources for children and adults on dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Patient-friendly COVID-19 resources
Handouts in English, Spanish, and other languages
Here are some easy-to-read handouts about COVID-19 and emergency preparedness. Some of them are also available in Spanish, and the CDC offers fact sheets in multiple languages.
CDC fact sheets in multiple languages
You can download several fact sheets from the CDC. Most are available in multiple languages, including Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Arabic, Portuguese, and Vietnamese. They include:
- 15 days to slow the spread.
- What to do if you are sick.
- Stop the spread of germs.
- What you need to know.
- Symptoms of Coronavirus Disease 2019.
- Wash your hands.
- 10 ways to manage respiratory symptoms at home.
Resources for children and adults with developmental disabilities
The Waisman Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison has created an excellent list of COVID-19 resources for children and adults with developmental disabilities.
The list includes social stories, handouts, online activities and more.
- About COVID-19.
- Hand-washing and other precautions.
- Resources for families, caregivers, and providers.
- AAC resources.
- Coping and mental health support.
- American Sign Language resources.
- Educational resources for students with disabilities.
- University and governmental COVID-19 resources.
- Legislation and policy issues related to COVID-19.
- Fun virtual activities and experiences
Here’s another excellent collection of materials for children and adults with developmental disabilities. It includes:
- Posters and sequencing visual supports.
- Social narratives.
- Videos.
- Communication boards and visual supports.
Tactus Therapy’s aphasia-friendly handout
Tactus Therapy has an excellent four-page handout on COVID-19. It’s been translated into Italian and Greek. The handout is designed to be easy-to-read for people with aphasia, but would be good for many. It includes:
- What COVID-19 is.
- Who is affected.
- The symptoms.
- How to protect yourself.
- What you should do if you get sick.
- What is happening around the world.
- How long it will last.
- Whether there is treatment or a vaccine.
- Additional information.
SARTAC plain language in English or Spanish
You can download a plain-language handout in English or Spanish from The Self Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center. It includes:
- What COVID-19 is.
- How you get it.
- What happens if you have it.
- When you should call a doctor.
- How sick do you get.
- What you can do to stay healthy.
- Steps to take when you’re sick.
- What to do if you live with someone who is sick.
- How to say hello to friends.
- Where you can and can’t go.
- Why this is important.
- Whether there is medicine.
- Dealing with anxiety or stress.
- Making a plan.
Aphasia Center of California’s aphasia-friendly checklist
The Aphasia Center of California has created two versions of an aphasia-friendly checklist for making an emergency kit.
Tips for talking with children (English or Spanish)
If your patient has children or grandchildren, you can print tips for how to talk to your child about COVID-19 in English or Spanish. You can find more information on the same site, including “what to do if your child is sick” and “how to prepare your family.” It includes:
- Find out what your child already knows.
- Offer comfort and honesty.
- Help kids feel in control.
- Keep the conversation going.
SmartySymbols is offering three free social story downloads, two for children and one for harried mothers.
- Celebrating my birthday during the COVID-19 outbreak.
- Unexpected homeschooling.
- A social story for moms during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Other COVID-19 resources
You can also find information from reliable sources. If they don’t offer a print version, you can use PrintFriendly to create a PDF for free.
- COVID-19 Communication Rights Toolkit with a printable patient accommodations request form.
- DementiAbility‘s COVID-19 resource page for people with dementia. Includes books, message boards, activities, and tips for video chats.
- AAC-RERC’s emergency preparedness for people who have communication challenges and a one-page “Emergency Checklist for People With Communication Access and Functional Needs.”
- CDC’s information about the Coronavirus and what to do before, during and after the pandemic.
- Ready.gov.
- WHO’s updates on the Coronavirus and myth busters.
Videos
- The CDC has a YouTube channel and offers videos in American Sign Language (ASL) as well.
- MedBridge Education has two videos: 5 handwashing steps and how to protect yourself against the Coronavirus.
- The WHO’s YouTube channel and how to protect yourself against COVID-19.
- Interesting set of simulations from the Washington Post to show why the US is trying social distancing.
Therapy materials and home exercise programs
Honeycomb Speech Therapy’s free resource packet
Honeycomb Speech Therapy is offering a free resource packet for “Meeting Functional Needs in a Pandemic + Home Program Templates.” It includes:
- Addressing pandemic-related needs in therapy.
- Verbal expression.
- Auditory comprehension.
- Reading comprehension.
- Writing.
- Motor speech.
- Attention.
- Memory.
- Problem solving.
- Other resources.
LSVT Global’s discounts for online support for patients
LSVT Global is offering a 40% discount on Vidmeo downloads or streaming of the LSVT LOUD Homework Helper Videos and LSVT BIG Homework Helper Videos for the next 60 days.
In addition, LSVT Global will announce next week details about free online exercise classes. These online classes will be limited to patients who have graduated from LSVT LOUD and LSVT BIG.
Using multimedia in therapy
I’ve written before about how we can use multimedia in therapy. See that post for several therapy ideas. Whenever possible, ask patients to use their own technology to access the media during sessions. If you use your device, use a disposable barrier or hold it, and avoid allowing patients to touch it. Follow guidance from your company!
Find something interesting to your patient for auditory comprehension, verbal expression, or cognitive-communication goals.
Honeycomb Speech Therapy has a great list of TED talks with lesson plans.
The National Center for Interactive Learning’s STEM Activity Clearinghouse offers many activities for kids and adults.
Here are some fun sites where you can take a virtual tour.
- Georgia Aquarium (live cam).
- Google Arts & Culture: Free virtual tours of more than 2,500 museums and galleries.
- Great Wall of China.
- Hawaii, courtesy of Google Earth.
- Louvre.
- Mars.
- Monterey Bay Aquarium (live cam).
- San Diego Zoo (live cam).
- Yellowstone National Park.
- Yosemite.
Therapy materials for free or for sale
I haven’t bought or used products from all of these places, but check them out and see what you think.
- CalmSLP.
- Honeycomb Speech Therapy.
- Nice Speech Lady.
- Speech Therapy Essentials (subscription).
- Teachers Pay Teachers.
- Therapy Insight’s Therapy Fix (subscription).
- Tulsa Swallowing and Neurological Rehabilitation.
Self-care during COVID-19
Please, make time to take care of yourself. Unfortunately, this is going to be a long-term problem. Our patients and families depend on us, and if we wear ourselves out in the first month, things are going to get really rough.
Mental and physical well-being
Headspace meditation app is offering a free subscription for all US healthcare workers through the end of 2020.
Yale University’s Happiness course is free online through Coursera. The official name is “The Science of Well-Being”. It’s taught by Dr. Laurie Santos, who hosts The Happiness Lab podcast.
Mental Health America has an extensive resource page linking to many free programs, tools, relaxation and meditation exercises, and much more.
Yoga with Adriene is fantastic (and free)! You can find many other yoga classes online as well.
Active by PopSugar is offering free access to hundreds of workouts from celebrity trainers and fitness experts.
Free Guided Journal for Times of Uncertainty from Therapy Insights.
Listen to The Happiness Lab‘s bonus episodes on “Beating Your Isolation Loneliness” and “Coach Yourself Through a Crisis.”
The CDC offers self-care tips for emergency responders and how to manage anxiety and stress.
The Nice Speech Lady has published Self-Care Rating Measures.
Free peer counseling through empowerwork.org, via SMS texting or live chat.
Check with your employer regarding their Employee Assistance Program, which may offer counseling services, resources for child care and elder care, attorney services, financial planning services, and more.
Relax, unwind, and socially connect from a distance
The Met is streaming opera for free until they re-open.
The LA Times tells you how to stream TV without paying a dime.
I’ve heard several experts suggest interesting tips, such as:
- Use video, such as FaceTime, to share a meal with family or friends remotely.
- Remote play dates using FaceTime or a similar app to allow children to talk to each other while engaging in the same activity.
- Plan to watch the same movie or show with family or friends in different locations at the same time.
Stay safe
The CDC’s Information for Healthcare Professions on COVID-19 offers guidance for:
- Clinical Care.
- Home Care.
- Evaluating Persons Under Investigation and asymptomatic close contacts in residential settings.
- Healthcare Personnel with Potential Exposure.
Check out the CDC’s Clinical Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) Free Webinars. You can access live calls through COCA’s Facebook Live or Zoom. However, they are recorded, if you can’t listen live. Many calls are eligible for IACET CEUs, and you should check with ASHA. Recent topics include:
- Underlying Medical Conditions and People at Higher Risk for COVID-19.
- Update and Information for Long-term Care Facilities.
- Update for Clinicians Caring for Children and Pregnant Women.
ASHA published “Protecting those you serve, co-workers, and yourself from COVID-19.”
MedBridge Education has published a number of blog articles and free videos, including “A Healthcare Provider’s Guide to Staying Healthy Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic.”
Telepractice and working from home
CMS is lifting restrictions on telepractice, and the federal government is pushing for it, but states also have to ease up on regulations. Home Health News reports on this, and hopefully the regulations will be lifted for home health as well. Here are some resources that may be helpful.
ASHA has updated information:
- Telepractice Services and Coronavirus Updates.
- SIG 18 is all about telepractice.
- Telepractice Practice Portal.
- Payment and Coverage Considerations for Telepractice Services During Coronavirus/COVID-19.
- 12+ free articles including a 2020 systematic review.
The Informed SLP has created a wonderful free resource page all about telepractice. They share:
- Clinical and procedural basics.
- Telepractice research divided by age group.
- Tips from their staff.
Therapy Insights has a great list of resources for learning how to do teletherapy. Just scroll down. And Aptus Speech Therapy has an aphasia-friendly guide for how to use Zoom.
Dysphagia Rambling has written about “ways to stay busy at home and how to up your game when you’re back at work.”
The Skimm has great tips for working from home.
Staying informed about COVID-19
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The CDC is leading our response to COVID-19 in the US. You can find a lot of information here, including:
- Information for Healthcare Providers.
- Clinical Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) Free Webinars
World Health Organization
The World Health Organization (WHO) regularly updates their page on the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak. You can find information such as:
- Protect yourself.
- Your questions answered.
- Situation reports.
- Mythbusters.
- A world map with data at the country level.
Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security is posting regular situation reports and has a number of fact sheets and other resources, including:
- Coronavirus Fact Sheet.
- Blame and Discrimination attached to COVID-19.
- Ventilator Stockpiling and Availability in the US.
- Selected links of their experts talking to media.
Johns Hopkins also is maintaining a world map with data with current data about active cases, recovered cases, and deaths. There’s a false story circulating that the map contains malware, so here’s the Snopes article debunking that claim with the link to the map.
Listen to Dr. Amesh Adalja from Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security talk COVID-19 myths and FAQs on the Curiosity Daily Podcast.
ASHA
ASHA’s Coronavirus/COVID-19 Updates page offers information, such as:
- Using E-Visit Codes for Medicare Part B.
- Telepractice links.
- Handling in-person appointments.
- Assessing personal risk and taking precautions.
- Infection control resources.
- Coverage and benefits related to COVID-19 Medicaid and CHIP (bottom of page).
StatNews
StatNews is a reliable source for news about COVID-19.
Related Eat, Speak, & Think posts
- Free low-tech AAC for adults.
- Free multimedia resources for the SLP.
- 24 podcasts for adult medical speech-language pathologists.
- Improve aphasia outcomes by creating intensive home exercise programs.
- A message of hope to the struggling SLP. (pre-virus)
What are your go-to COVID-19 resources?
Please share other resources you’re finding helpful!
Free DIRECT download: COVID-19 Therapy resource list (cheat sheet). (Email subscribers get free access to all the resources in the Free Subscription Library.)
Featured image by Pexels on Canva.com.
Lisa earned her M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Maryland, College Park and her M.A. in Linguistics from the University of California, San Diego.
She participated in research studies with the National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) and the University of Maryland in the areas of aphasia, Parkinson’s Disease, epilepsy, and fluency disorders.
Lisa has been working as a medical speech-language pathologist since 2008. She has a strong passion for evidence-based assessment and therapy, having earned five ASHA Awards for Professional Participation in Continuing Education.
She launched EatSpeakThink.com in June 2018 to help other clinicians be more successful working in home health, as well as to provide strategies and resources to people living with problems eating, speaking, or thinking.
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