Hospice Foundation of America Presents New Educational Webinar on 'SUPPORTING PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES THROUGH ILLNESS, GRIEF...( WASHINGTON July 7 /- Nationally-kno...),Health

WASHINGTON, July 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Nationally-known experts Claire Lavin, PhD, and Kenneth J. Doka, PhD, will discuss the importance of helping those with intellectual disabilities face illness and grief during Hospice Foundation of America's (HFA's) new live online webinar on Tuesday, September 15, 2009, from 1pm-2pm EDT.

"Persons with intellectual disabilities must have support to cope with normal grief reactions, and caregivers need to understand how to help," states Dr. Doka, Senior Consultant to HFA. Dr. Lavin and Dr. Doka will discuss how persons with intellectual disabilities may respond to the illness and death of a loved one; the challenges involved when those with intellectual disabilities face their own end-of-life situations; and the role that caregivers play in providing education and support. The speakers will also discuss how partnerships between organizations can better serve this population.

Claire Lavin, PhD, is a professor of psychology at The College of New Rochelle in New York. A licensed clinical and school psychologist, she works with children and adults with disabilities in facilities and schools. Kenneth J. Doka, PhD, is a professor of gerontology at the Graduate School of The College of New Rochelle. Dr. Doka has served as a panelist on all sixteen of HFA's Living With Grief National Bereavement Teleconferences. Dr. Lavin and Dr. Doka co-authored Older Adults with Developmental Disabilities.

"For over sixteen years, HFA has been the leader in presenting high-quality educational programming on hospice care, grief and loss, and end-of-life issues through our annual teleconference," said Amy Tucci, President/CEO of HFA. "This webinar gives organizations a new opportunity to easily access this informative programming."

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