August 19 Is World Humanitarian Day

In recognition of World Humanitarian Day, I'm taking a moment to reflect on what it is that embodies humanitarianism.

Traits that often come to mind include: selflessness, a sense of justice and equanimity for all persons, willingness to sacrifice for a particular cause, a desire to help others achieve success.

Sometimes when I think about it, its easy to become a little cynical and question whether anyone who seems selfless is truly not out for some sort of personal gain too. In the media, we often hear about celebrities such as Bono, Oprah, Princess Diana, and Angelina Jolie who stand (or have stood) behind various causes and use their celebrity status as a forum to promote awareness and such for their cause. Yet in a way, I also feel that if a person is going to live a life of fame and fortune, it means something if they dedicate a part of their lives to a purpose that goes beyond languishing in luxury.


There's also those who have become famous (or perhaps even infamous) because of their efforts. People like Martin Luther King Jr, Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, or Oskar Schindler come to mind. I feel that those in this category are the ones who in essence, became their cause...they lived their lives in an effort to better the world, or their corner of it at least. They did not seek fame or riches or reward. They saw, or many times witnessed firsthand, an injustice and decided to do something about it.

I have my own causes and social issues I feel are important as I'm sure many of us do. I support them as I am able and do my little part to raise awareness. It may not be much, but it is a start. The point is, I am a big believer that at least part of our purpose on this earth is to leave it a little better than we found it. We've all seen ways injustice and/or ignorance is able to permeate society and draw a dividing line between groups of people.

What are some causes/issues that are meaningful or perhaps even personal to you?  What do we need more of in order to see these causes through? How might you use what you learn and live on your daily path to become a humanitarian in your own part of the world? 

I Would Think We'd Be Higher

Number 9!!

Source: amandaonwriting.tumblr.com via Amanda on Pinterest

Discoveries Of The Week

Things learned, accomplished and discovered this week...

Blog Discovery: How Not To Do Social Work  --I love the honesty and earnest insights into the profession shared here.

New-to-me-Etsy Shop: RossLab.  Whimsical, simple ceramics.  Because there can never be enough bowls and cups!

Activism task: I signed a petition to President Obama asking him to leave social security benefits alone.

Weekly treat: I enjoyed a week off from work...the last full week of vacation time I took was in October 2011! Of course, I fully absorbed a total state of doing-nothingness and may even have raised it to a whole new level.

Social work resources:  New search engine providing valuable info on local and federal U.S. programs for housing, employment, food and health for those in need.  It also gives users the ability to add resources.  And the website, Promised Land, has some awesome ideas and tools on how to become a changemaker in your community. 

Moment of suckage:  Watching the movie "Twilight: Breaking Dawn".  I have no adequate words to describe the pointlessness involved in this series, and furthermore, no rational explanation as to why I actually watch the movies.

Question of the week: Why are there so few resources such as social work blogs and/or helpful online resources (e.g. U.K Social Care Network | The Guardian) established by American social workers?

Social Workers Tweet

What Social Workers Are Talking About On Twitter This Week

Oh coffee fairy where are you......
— social worker mom (@morncuppacoffee) February 1, 2013

Just spent 2 hours cleaning out a hoarders room. Not even close to looking clean yet. #phew #socialwork 😳😤
— Melissa Sloan (@Mel_Sloan) February 2, 2013

This frontline social work is bloody hard work. Bed time. Hopefully all recovered for birthday bash tomorrow.
— Jess (@Mr_Boddy) February 1, 2013

I think social workers should follow PR people/firms. I learn so much from them about how our profession connects with people. Blog soon.
— Andrew Ellery (@Andrew_Ellery) January 27, 2013

When I started the #socialwork degree I said I'd do anything except child protection. Now I couldn't imagine doing anything else.
— KGH (@KieranGH) January 26, 2013

101 Greatest Websites for Social Workers - bit.ly/Wlwpjc via swhelpercom #SWUnited #socialwork twitter.com/swhelpercom/st…
— Socialworkhelper.com (@swhelpercom) January 25, 2013

Sometimes you have to FIGHT for SOCIAL WORK!
— Aidan Worsley (@AidanWorsley) January 25, 2013

I am drowning in a sea of things that "will only take a second." #socialworkproblems
— Kelly Ked Dixon (@kedastrophe) January 24, 2013

Social Work Digest

This week's news and announcements in the world of social work.

• "We're getting back to good old-fashioned social work". Department of Human Service social workers in Michigan moving into elementary and high schools.
• New Jersey social service workers unhappy as case loads increase but staffing levels remain stagnant. 
• Over 3,000 front line social service workers in British Columbia walk off their jobs in effort to receive higher wages.  “We do realize this is a fight we’re having with the government,” says social services bargaining committee chairperson.
• Finally! Someone explains "what is social work". Spoiler alert: Not all social workers work in schools or for child protection agencies.
• I like this U.K.  model for attracting and retaining social workers.  Adequate supports and ongoing opportunities for advancement and trainings are key.
• Need for social workers growing; Northwest Nazarene University in Idaho planning to offer new social work program. 
  

  Jan Roeser, regional economist for the Idaho Department of Labor, said careers related to social work and two other degree programs NNU plans to offer in Twin Falls are projected to show a lot of growth.  The number of new jobs is expected to increase by 20 to 35 percent this decade. The professions also have high wages. {via Times News | MagicValley.com} 

  My note: Not  so sure about the 'high wages' part though!
  
  
   

Culture of caffeination

Words of Wisdom

“Never permit a dichotomy to rule your life, a dichotomy in which you hate what you do so you can have pleasure in your spare time. Look for a situation in which your work will give you as much happiness as your spare time."  ~Pablo Picasso

Are The Elderly A Burden To Society?

This moron Taro Aso (pronounced "as-hohl"), who happens to be Japan's finance minister, thinks so:

"Why should I have to pay for people who just eat and drink and make no effort? I walk every day and do other things, but I'm paying more in taxes"  {via The Guardian}.

Oh my.  I'm glad As-hol is a healthy 72 year old and not in need of assistance or medical care. And let me be clear: I do believe there are situations where prolonging life that lacks quality can be burdensome, not just financially, but from a humane perspective as well.  Aso's comments, however, are sadly reflective of notions of deservedness which run rampant in Western society as well.

Who defines what "quality of life" means?  And more importantly, who decides who deserves health care and who should just "hurry up and die"?  Believe me, I get that in the U.S. a lot of government spending in health care (in the form of Medicare and/or Medicaid) is distributed to our older population.  I'm not sure what long term care looks like in Japan, but when we in the U.S. talk about "exploring innovative ways to finance services for the elderly", and the never-ending chatter about cutting back programs like Medicare and Medicaid, it seems like we're shooting ourselves in the foot.

Image via: http://www.nyspltc.org/rates.htm

Do people realize how difficult it is for elderly people living at home to receive home health aide services?  Medicare (in NY anyway) will only pay for *maybe* 8 hours of aide service per week. And home health aides and visiting nurses are spread thin enough as it is...its pretty hard to attract people to these professions when pay is typically so poor. Yet, some elderly people would benefit greatly from having access to more home health services, which if they could receive, would keep them home longer. And guess what? Medicare and Medicaid would actually save money for covering home health services vs paying for long term care for seniors. In NY state alone, the average monthly cost for a skilled nursing home resident is between $8000-$9000 per MONTH. The government doesn't even start to cover costs of long term care until the resident has exhausted all of their personal resources. At $9000 a month, that doesn't take very long.

Instead of threatening to cut Medicare and/or Medicaid benefits to the elderly (because let's face it, with the expense of long term care, the government allocates a good chunk in Medicaid benefits for the aging population), why not expand home health care benefits?   Programs like Meals on Wheels and Adult Day Care Centers are much more doable financially and do heighten quality of life for many elderly people committed to remaining at home as long as they can. Home health care including ongoing physical therapy, social services and daily aide services would undoubtedly make a difference in whether a person could stay home (and save money/not need to tap into government aid so hard) vs moving into skilled nursing where the care costs are exorbitant.

Of course, people like me would be out of a job if the elderly stayed home and never moved to a nursing home. I realize what I propose affects the bottom line of for-profit long term care.  Still, who but a small percentage of business owners benefit from the current system in which we care for our elderly?  Why shouldn't options for how we spend our later years be wider in scope? After all, aging is the great equalizer.  

Are You Really For Real?

I think I'll pass on the Sarah Palin "kind-of-feminism".

You know guys like these are just pissed off because some woman they were chasing after blew them off.  Rather than look at themselves and their own shortcomings, its so much easier to insult female strength and intelligence.

ElderNews

Apparently Bradford County's Area Agency on Aging had been allowing criminals to fulfill community service requirements via programs that cater to elderly residents such as Meals on Wheels.

While it is reported that all volunteers for the Agency on Aging programs are screened prior to providing services, the agency's policy for accepting volunteers is now under review.

Comfort Care: Pasta-bilities

Pasta is THE comfort food extraordinaire.  This baked ziti dish makes for a filling, cozy winter supper.  Add a glass of red wine and I'm in heaven!

More photos including the recipe for this mouth-watering piece of magnificence can be found at Gonna Want Seconds.

Daily Escape

Even if only in our minds, we all need to have a "happy place" we can escape to when our caseloads and workloads are piling up.  Here is today's destination of solace.

What a glorious view!   This spot of pure perfection is  located at the Caruso Hotel in Ravello, Italy. Caruso Hotel is...

A former 11th century palace set on cliffs beside the Amalfi Coast, Hotel Caruso seems to drift on a 'balcony' above the Mediterranean Sea. As with so many Orient-Express hotels it is a triumph of the restorer's skill. Its ancient walls and fresco-covered ceilings have been carefully preserved to make it a work of art in itself. Stroll through the terraced gardens or lounge beside the stunning infinity pool. Take a boat trip to Positano or discover Roman Pompeii. Wherever you turn, both inside the hotel and out, a world of heritage, culture and beauty awaits.{Travel 2 Italy}

Photo via: Flickr

Comfort Care: I'll Get The Cheesecake

As social work professionals, we are often inclined to put the needs of our clients ahead of our own. We provide care and comfort to so many, but what about caring for our own souls?  This is a reminder to indulge in something just for you.

This chocolate chip cookie cheesecake looks perfectly divine!  I mean, is there anything so awful that a slice of creamy, decadent cheesecake can't make it all seem so much better? ;)

Comfort Care...

As social work professionals, we are often inclined to put the needs of our clients ahead of our own. We provide care and comfort to so many, but what about caring for our own souls?  This is a reminder to indulge in something just for you.

Cookietastic



Chocolate cookie gooeyness is good for the social work soul.  Salted mudslide cookies and a glass of cold milk will help wash away the mid-day angst.  Don't be afraid to spoil yourself now and then!

Daily Escape

Even if only in our minds, we all need to have a "happy place" we can escape to when our caseloads and workloads are piling up.  Here is today's destination of solace...

Flexibility Vs. Setting Boundaries in Social Work

For the past month, I've been going into work on Saturdays because there is simply no way I can get things done during the regular work week.  Now, I'm not overdoing it; I'm taking Monday's off to make up for it.   With all the construction and chaos going on in the building, it's pretty impossible not to succumb to the myriad of distractions that are placed on my path.  Plus, for a couple more weeks, I have to share office space with a two colleagues and its getting juuuuuust a tad too crowded.  It's hard enough sometimes with my phone ringing non-stop, last-minute admissions, or co-workers bursting into my office handing me the  latest crisis project ("Mrs. Elderkins is out of Depends, can you call her son?").  But now, I have the added disruption of whatever crisis is taking place in the work day for my two office mates.  So yeah, Saturdays are becoming my most productive days at the office.

While there isn't much more I can do to gain control over my work day for the time being, I've been thinking a lot about establishing better boundaries.   I am a fairly laid back person by nature and there isn't a great deal that I'm faced with that I can't handle, but every now and again, I fear my easy-going attitude makes my work life a bit crazier than it needs to be.   I sometimes find it hard to balance my desire to be there for residents, colleagues, and clients and my goals for the projects I want and need to accomplish.   When I first started out as a social worker, I used to think work-day interruptions were the norm.  After all, we're typically dealing with people who are frail, in need of various types of  assistance and reliant on a system that often appears set up to fail in the first place.  Plus, people, along with their needs, can be unpredictable. How can I possibly schedule human need into my work day?

But now I'm starting to think I have to work a little smarter.

Slowly, over the past several months, I'm learning to be a little greedier with my time.  Just because I'm the only case manager, doesn't mean that every time someone needs something, it is necessary I drop everything.  Every need is not urgent. Some are more important than others, and I like to think that as my experience in this career grows, I'm getting better at deciphering the needs that don't have to be addressed ASAP.   Phone calls can go straight to voice mail when I'm in the middle of something else.   Chatty family members who show up at my door at 4:45pm, as I'm shutting down the computer and organizing my desk for the next day, can be politely told that I have to go and that we can meet at a scheduled time later in the week.  The door to my office can be closed for an hour each day so I can catch up on paperwork.

Being a social worker is all about being flexible, no doubt about it.  Things happen that aren't planned and your whole day can turn around in a matter of five minutes.  Real crisis's can crop up five minutes before you're ready to walk out the door. It's what happens when you're in the field of working with people.

But without setting a few boundaries and promoting respect for your time,  the most rewarding part of our jobs--helping others--becomes a dreaded chore.

What do you do to set boundaries in your work place?

 

 

Celebrating A Life With Alzheimer's

I found this touching letter written by a man battling Alzheimer's.  The author's son submitted the letter, which was written by his father nearly 10 years ago at the onset of the disease.

...if I fight it and think positively maybe I can conquer this Alzheimer fellow . It would be a pleasure to laugh at him and say goodbye. Think of what you have achieved in the past years and these thoughts will help. You have raised children, and they have loved you and you are so fortunate. Appreciate what you have. You have to be strong, I realize, but you can do it! I volunteer at two hospitals and enjoy taking people to their destinations in the hospital. I sometimes (actually quite often) joke with them. As I am leading patients upstairs, I will humour them a bit by telling them "I am taking you first to Las Vegas" and then we will go up in the elevator. They always laugh and say, "Oh please!" It makes them feel good and I feel good also. Another casualty of the fiendish Mr. Alzheimer is the family. My family takes good care of me but sometimes I feel they are at fault because they are being overprotective. They mean well but it makes me feel like a nothing. In my case, I am on the borderline of Alzheimer’s. I say this because, I am not that bad. I forget names, that is all! I was advised not to drive but I still feel that I can drive better than all the hot-shots on the road to-day. I have not seen the statistics of my condition and on my next visit to my doctor I will ask him to show me the results of my tests. I still play a great game of tennis, I bowl and do all the normal other things that people do, and yet I have this Alzheimer’s’ stigma. Maybe if they (whoever they may be) could live with me and see how I act daily I wouldn't be put in this category.

To read the entire piece, check out The Birthdays Continue Despite Alzheimer's Disease.   It will make you smile.

I Will

Its hard to believe that next month marks the 10-year anniversary of the 9-11 attacks.  911day.org is reaching out on a collective level to gather ideas and ways to honor and remember this important day in U.S. history while paying tribute to those that were lost in the attacks. The premise is to draw support to make September 11 a day of service in whatever community, capacity or collective endeavor available.  I think its a beautiful concept.

Grant Me The Serenity To Accept The Things I Cannot Change

I'm in my second month of my new position as a case manager in an eldercare facility.  There are also many changes taking place within this organization, which makes my new role a little bit harder to learn.  I know that down the road, things will click into place, but for now, it's an uphill battle as anyone who has ever been involved in a massive organizational overhaul knows that most people DESPISE change, no matter what form it takes.

I must be odd, because I kinda enjoy when things are in a state of flux.  Sure, cultivating a routine and having a sense of security are important on the job, but I seem to thrive in chaos for some strange reason.  My main issue (or gripe?) in all of this is attempting to facilitate cohesiveness in a setting where many of my colleagues and team members seem prone to getting caught up in negativity. It's easier for some, to adopt a fatalistic attitude when so much is changing around them.  Many of the other disciplines in this facility have been a part of the organization for more than 20 years and I do believe for a few folks, there is almost a secret wish for the new direction being set forth to flounder.

Yet, on the other side of the "doom and gloom" and  nay-saying, there is a lot of great potential that comes with change.   Change is never all good or all bad.  In the middle ground, there tends to be a huge amount of room for growth.  Perhaps that is why the notions of change and chaos appeal to me. I like knowing that when all is said and done, I will have been a part of an evolution of sorts.

For now though, I have to suck it up sometimes.  I try to set a good example, but it does get difficult to avoid getting pulled into some of the negativity.  There is a lot that is unknown in this early stage.  I make mistakes regularly as I attempt to feel my way around and plow through the maelstrom that has become my current work environment.   I do believe that it all will work out in the end and that I will truly hit my stride in this next chapter of my social work career.

I'll just have to do a lot of drinking between now and then. :P

Without accepting the fact that everything changes, we cannot find perfect composure.  But unfortunately, although it is true, it is difficult for us to accept it.  Because we cannot accept the truth of transience, we suffer.  ~Shunryu Suzuki

When caring for someone with dementia behaviors, what seems to help to soothe him or her?

When caring for someone with dementia behaviors, what seems to help to soothe him or her?

Answer here