I am a firm believer in the power HOBSCOTCH has to improve the quality of life for the people I serve as a CHW.
Anna Murray, BA, CHWMuch of my work as a Community Health Worker (CHW) involves connecting people to resources to help them better manage their epilepsy and the challenges it brings. Having a program like HOBSCOTCH in my CHW toolkit, I can better support patients to manage the cognitive effects of epilepsy.
As Community Health Workers (CHW), our goal in practice is to increase patients’ health education, self-sufficiency, and quality of life—HOBSCOTCH does just this. As Certified HOBSCOTCH Coaches, trained by neurologists, we are given the tools to teach our participants about memory and the impact epilepsy has on memory and thinking.
With COVID-19 surging and health care facilities across the country experiencing staffing crises, this telehealth-accessible program provides one-on-one interaction that patients I help care for can complete from home. Additionally, the virtual nature of the program allows me to continue to expand my knowledge and cultural competencies as it can be delivered anywhere to anyone with epilepsy and cognitive challenges.
HOBSCOTCH is an eight-week program, but the effects of the intervention last much longer. As a Coach, I share memory strategies, mindfulness, and relaxation techniques with participants that they can use beyond our work together. I am a firm believer in the power HOBSCOTCH has to improve the quality of life for the people I serve as a CHW. I encourage you to join me in growing your skills as a CHW and to share HOBSCOTCH with your patients.