INTERVIEW WITH AGINGSOCIAL WORKER

By: Alma Sanchez

Aging Social Worker Field Practice

I interviewed

Cindy Daniel BSW

Case Manager with Aging and Disability Resources Center

Services Provided by Agency•In home care services for elderly and disabled adults

assistance with bathing, dressing, toileting,

personal hygiene, eating, transferring, housekeeping, and transportation.

•Information and ReferralAssistance accessing community

resources such as support groups, senior nutrition, transportation, legal services, transportation

home care services, and housekeeping

•Nurse Home visits•Durable medical equipment•Family Caregiver Support

support for unpaid family caregiver.•Advocacy•Respite Care

As a Case Manger Cindy’s job duties include

•To promote, plan, develop and provide long-term care services responsive to the needs of client.•Assess for eligibility•Authorize caregiver payments•Assist clients implement care plan•Assist client in problem solving•Provide durable medical equipment•Advocacy•Communicate with client primary care physician•Referral to additional community resources

Highlights of my professionAdvocating

Traveling

Assisting clients to remain independent

Assist clients to stay safe

Client interaction

What I least enjoy about my careerManaging mental health client

because it is very draining and challenging to assist clients with mental illnesses specially Dementia and Alzheimer's.

DeathIn this profession I have found

myself close to death and it is emotionally draining to see my clients die.

Dealing with Elder AbuseDealing with elder abuse and

neglect becomes a challenge as family issues arise and you have to be very tactful when dealing ethic customs while ensuring clients safety.

Would you change something about your job

No as I believe that Washington State provides clients with choices and option that ensure their wellbeing.In addition clients are in charge of their own plan of care and participate actively in its development.

Thoughts on Elder Abuse

Elder abuse, like other types of domestic violence, is vey complicated. It is common to find a combination of psychological, social, and economic factors, along with the mental and physical health of the victim and the abuser, contribute to the occurrence of elder maltreatment.

Caregiver stress also plays a major roll in elder abuse case especially when senior lives with caregiver.

Cycle of violence

Isolation

Personal problems of the abuser

Thoughts on Intervention

I believe education and awareness about our growing Senior citizen community and their needs is the key to intervention.

Acknowledging clients individual needs, problems, and issues. In order to provide adequate and appropriate services.

Give client information in order to promote acceptance of change in order to ensure seniors well-being and independence.

Thoughts on essential elements of prevention

Be an advocateGood communication between client, case manager, and familyAbility to identify potential problemsIntervention from family, friends, and neighborsReport any Suspicion of potential abuseEducate yourself on senior services and share your knowledge with othersPrevent isolation by staying as active as possible

Advice to future Social workers in regards to Elder Abuse

Be very aware of mandatory reporting laws and report any suspicion of abuse

Remembering that it is not up to you to investigate

Remembering that elder abuse comes in many forms and some are difficult to recognize such as

Self-neglect because you have to always respect clients right but at the same time you have to ensure their safety and well-being.

Social workers need to be aware of all types of abuse

Interesting Fact of our Aging Society

The United States is undergoing a demographic transformation. By 2030 the number of people aged 65 and older is expected to double, rising to 70 million. This growing population of older adults will create an unprecedented demand on aging related programs, policies and services. NASW has established an Aging initiative to raise awareness about the breadth of geriatric social work practice, and increase the number of professionally trained and credentialed social workers who serve older adults and their families

Aging Field Goals

To ensure seniors have access to resources that will meet their most basic needs regardless of their ethic, cultural, social, sexual, economic and spiritual diversities that exist among today’s seniors.