HOPE E-COURSE FORMAL CAREGIVERS -ND
Module 4 Week 4: The implementation of interventions (meso-level)
Welcome to the last week of the fourth module of this e-learning!
In module 3 you have learned about, and practised, the implementation of interventions on an individual level. The knowledge you have gained there is very useful in this week, where interventions on a meso-level are central. Should you have forgotten the basics of implementation, please go through the material of module 3 again.
Keep in mind that the structure, or planning, of implementation in general, can be applied in all situations, including the meso-level.
Despite this, notice that there is one major difference with the micro-level, and that is that this time you have to deal with more actors than the individual end-user only.
In the next few days, you will focus on the mesolevel.
Within this level, you will learn about three different options:
- one from a residents-perspective (case LGRA, remember?),
- one from the perspective of a care-organization (eg a nursing home) and
- one from the perspective of the municipality.
This week, you will make 2 implementation plans: one for the LGRA and one for a heat-health action plan in Climatown.
This week’s work:
1. Case LGRA (phases 1 and
2). Please make a thorough implementation plan for the residents association.
Include – of course - the interventions
you have advised upon in de former module. Be sure to include: proper
assessment, stakeholder analysis, investment costs, maintenance, communication,
education, evaluation and realistic time planning. Be as thorough as possible.
Present your plan to your co-students, or your friends. And ask for feedback.
2. In healthcare and welfare, organizations are responsible for taking care of their residents and patients. During heatwaves, these people are extra vulnerable to complications of heat stress. To deal with that, many organizations have so-called heat protocols. In these protocols, it has been formulated who has to do what, and why, in times of heatwaves. In practice, these protocols vary a lot. Please visit the Good-Practices database of this e-learning. See if you can find some good examples of heat protocols on an organizational level. If you can’t find any, in this database, please check the internet. Once you have found an extensive heat protocol, write down the main characteristics. And think critically about whether or not it is clear for every professional involved what to do in times of heatwaves.
3. The third assignment this week is about local heat-health-action plans. Please find the WHO report on this topic (week 3), and go through it with an ‘implementation perspective’. What are the tips and tricks that the WHO suggests for a proper implementation plan? And how does that relate to the plan you made for the LGRA? What are the similarities, and what are the differences?
4. Finally, please read the case of Climatown. You are asked to develop a heat-health action plan. Please do. And do not forget to use the information provided by the WHO-report!
Knowledge Check
This week’s knowledge check is rather straightforward. Please write down:
a. The criteria that are commonly used to determine whether or not people are vulnerable with respect to heat waves. This is of importance for the input of any heat action plan.
b. The possible role of GP’s, respectively of hospitals, in a heat action plan.
Have problems with finding the right answers? They can be found in the WHO report.
TO DEFINE IN MOODLE!!
To support students with their first assignment, about the LGRA, some suggestions are given underneath. This information should not be given right away, but afterwards, as a check on completeness.
Possible aspects to be taken into account for an implementation plan for LGRA to protect their buildings from heatwaves:
- Assessment and Identification:
- Conduct a comprehensive assessment of all properties owned by the housing corporation to identify vulnerabilities to heatwaves. This should include factors such as building materials, insulation, age of buildings, and surrounding environment.
- Identify areas that are prone to heat stress and heat island effect, such as urban areas with limited green spaces or buildings with high heat absorption.
- Building Retrofit and Maintenance:
- Invest in retrofitting buildings with energy-efficient materials and technologies to improve insulation and reduce heat absorption.
- Upgrade roofs with cool roof technologies or reflective coatings to minimize heat absorption.
- Install shades, awnings, or shutters on windows to reduce direct sunlight penetration.
- Ensure proper maintenance of HVAC systems to optimize cooling efficiency and reduce energy consumption during heatwaves.
- Green Infrastructure and Urban Planning:
- Implement green infrastructure solutions such as green roofs, living walls, and urban vegetation to mitigate heat island effect and improve microclimate conditions.
- Collaborate with local authorities to advocate for urban planning policies that prioritize green spaces, tree planting, and permeable surfaces to enhance natural cooling effects.
- Education and Awareness:
- Educate residents and property managers about the risks of heat waves and the importance of heat resilience measures.
- Provide guidance on simple measures residents can take, such as keeping blinds closed during peak sunlight hours, using fans efficiently, and staying hydrated.
- Distribute informational materials and conduct workshops on heatwave preparedness and emergency response procedures.
- Emergency Preparedness and Response:
- Develop and implement a heatwave emergency response plan that outlines procedures for monitoring heatwave forecasts, activating cooling centres, and providing support to vulnerable residents.
- Establish communication channels to disseminate heatwave alerts and advisories to residents, staff, and stakeholders.
- Collaborate with local emergency services, healthcare providers, and community organizations to ensure a coordinated response to heatwave-related emergencies.
- Data Monitoring and Evaluation:
- Implement monitoring systems to track indoor and outdoor temperatures, humidity levels, and energy consumption during heatwaves.
- Collect feedback from residents and property managers to assess the effectiveness of heat resilience measures and identify areas for improvement.
- Use data analysis to continuously refine the action plan and prioritize investments in heat resilience strategies.
- Partnerships and Collaboration:
- Forge partnerships with academic institutions, research organizations, and industry experts to access expertise and resources for implementing innovative heat resilience solutions.
- Collaborate with other housing corporations, local governments, and community groups to share best practices and coordinate efforts to address heatwave risks at the neighbourhood and citywide levels.
- Budget Allocation and Funding:
- Allocate sufficient budget for implementing heat resilience measures, including building retrofits, maintenance, education, and emergency preparedness activities.
- Explore opportunities for securing funding through grants, incentives, and partnerships with governmental agencies, philanthropic organizations, and private sector stakeholders.
In this way, the housing corporation can enhance the resilience of its buildings and communities to heatwaves, reducing risks to residents' health and well-being while promoting sustainability and climate resilience.