Rand Aid highlights the importance of social workers

The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of social workers and the work which they do in society
Rand Aid social workers Sue Prior, Debbie Beech, and Ulricka Beukman fulfil the role of community care coordinators in the retirement villages at Rand Aid Association.

It is the job of the social workers to coordinate the follow-up of any issues that may affect the quality of life and general wellbeing of residents in all the facilities run by the 118-year-old non-profit organisation.

Wedge Gardens and Thembalami Care Centre have their own specialised social work staff.

“Today, social workers are recognised as important role players in managed care, private practices and all areas of the industry,” said Sue.

“They work tirelessly towards long-term social solutions and are recognised for their abilities to rebuild better, more inclusive and more stable societies.

“During the Covid-19 crisis, the role of the social worker was recognised anew, with many hospitals and healthcare professionals appointing social workers or referring patients to them,” said Sue.

This is because social workers were trained for just these conditions, they are professionally equipped for a rapid response in times of crisis and to navigate emotional chaos, offering their skills to support people’s coping processes.

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“Good psychosocial care during a pandemic can help people identify and build on their natural resilience.”

Core features of a social worker’s assistance include:

• Access to information

• Emotional support

• Linking people to resources to aid existing coping skills.

“Social workers at every level have the skills and capability to not only address safety but also address grief and loss, build awareness and combat myths about the pandemic,” said Sue.

She explained that any disease outbreak or pandemic brings with it not only physical suffering for those infected but also feelings of panic, shock, loss, grief, shame and suspicion in the community at large.

“Covid-19 is the invisible enemy that makes it even harder to cope.

“One is also affected by the losses that family and friends may have experienced,” said Sue.

Such losses can be experienced through:

• Loss of life

• Loss of family income

• Loss of identity

• Interruptions in schooling

• Access to healthcare.

Take time to grieve

“Everyone has been affected on some level and the world will never be the same as before.”

She says that many people find it difficult to acknowledge their fears and losses. When asked what was lost in the past year of pandemic life, the answer often starts the same way: ‘I can’t complain.’

‘I’m one of the lucky ones.’

‘I know I should count my blessings.’

“People are, of course, comparing their losses to the loss of life of 2.6 million people globally during this pandemic, which makes it harder to talk about smaller losses,” said Sue.

“Losses can include the loss of precious time with family and friends, cancelled travel plans and missed family milestone events.
“These may not sound like much, but mental health experts agree that all loss needs to be acknowledged and grieved for future well-being.”

Functions of social workers

“A core function of the social workers at Rand Aid has always been to anticipate, assess and address psychosocial needs.

“Many hardships can be minimised or averted by frequent, open and supportive communication.

“Social workers use skills to assist an individual moreover, they can help a person to make sense of the many questions and tribulations that life brings,” says Sue.

“Social workers provide a safe space for people because they are committed to upholding human rights and dignity, which include the basic right to privacy, self-determination and, above all, to confidentiality,” she says.

At Rand Aid and other care facilities, social workers advocate on behalf of residents and families and provide information and reference on a wide range of topics, including medical aids, resident rights and how to connect with local resources.

Social workers and the aged

“It is well accepted that care facilities and retirement villages with social workers are in a much better position to deal with and also to prevent crises.

“At Rand Aid, social workers form part of a multi-disciplinary team and work alongside the medical staff to improve quality of life,” said Sue.

“They realise they work with people in physically, emotionally and socially vulnerable circumstances, many of whom are approaching the last chapters of their life.

“Alongside doctors, nurses and allied therapists, the social worker is not only part of a team examining ways to prevent and minimise physical pain, but to also work tirelessly to prevent, soothe and facilitate the healing of emotional pain.

“The social worker also has an important role in promoting personal change and growth.

“Every person learns, grows and changes until they come to the end of their life path.

“Social workers understand the need for each person to remain active and involved citizens, not to stagnate, and to experience a life worth living.

“They can coach and guide to make life more rewarding and to find one’s purpose in life.”

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