Eating Disorder Recovery residential team hosts first virtual friends and family event

08/25/20 10:10:am

The Eating Disorder Recovery residential care team successfully transitioned their monthly Friends and Family events to be virtual, allowing them to answer questions and address treatment concerns.

Prior to the pandemic, the team would invite friends and family members of residents to a day of presentations, discussions, and hands-on experiences. This collaborative dialogue is beneficial to patients’ continued recovery post-discharge.

“Usually treatment focuses on the patient,” says Jenifer Waite Wollenburg, manager of residential operations, Eating Disorder Recovery. “But we know that having a strong support system is so critical for the successful outcomes of our patients after they transition home. Not being able to hold these sessions during the pandemic would have been detrimental.”

The first session’s focus was on how the pandemic has changed programming in Rogers’ eating disorder care. Jenifer said that because the first session “had excellent questions and participation” that future meetings are being expanded from 60 to 90 minutes. August’s event will cover discharge planning during the pandemic.

Held through Microsoft Teams, the event included experts from a multitude of roles, including behavioral specialists, registered dietitians, nursing, experiential therapy, and the Eating Disorder Recovery leadership team.