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? 

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!
  
  
   

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.

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.

What Alzheimer's Disease Has Taught Me (so far)

I've been in long term health care for 15 years now.  I've worked with and cared for numerous individuals and families who have been touched by the heartbreaking disease known as Alzheimer's.   There have even been a few of my own relatives who have lived with AD--few aunts and uncles.   Then, a couple years ago, my dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer's-type dementia.

My knowledge base has grown and grown over the years I've worked in geriatric care.   More than most anyone, I am well trained and equipped on what to expect and how to handle the myriad of twists and turns that accompany AD.   Still, as anyone will tell you, when it's *your* close family member who is part of the Alzheimer's equation, all bets are off.   It's impossible not to be emotionally invested in whatever happens on this journey.

Granted, I'm a pretty easy-going person.  I try to look for the positive and the lessons that can be found in any situation, no matter how hard, sad or devastating.  (I get this trait from my dad, I believe).  And while my dad is in the early stages of AD at the moment, I realize things can change quickly and that there is no more taking things for granted where he is concerned.

The Alzheimer's Association has a wonderful online support forum filled with tons of people who either are caring for someone with AD or who are dealing with the disease in some way, shape or form.   I  recently was inspired to add to a great thread where forum posters list what they've learned from Alzheimer's Disease.

Here are just a few of the lessons I've learned so far:

• Many people with AD can still keep their sense of humor through most of the disease process. Looking for the humor in those not-so-great moments can be a life saver!

• People will forget what you say and what you do for them, but they will never forget how you made them feel.

• Hugs and kisses go a long way, especially when you don't know what to say.

• We're a society that prides ourselves on our "intellect" and we are trained to live in our heads. Perhaps AD is here in part to teach us to live in and with our hearts more.

I wish this disease did not exist, but I continue to remain open to what it has to teach on an individual and collective level.   The lessons are always there, you just have to be open to finding them.

ElderNews You Can Use (4-24-10)

ElderNews is a semi-weekly round up of links around the web that touch on topics of aging, death/dying and health care.

• Cognitive stimulation therapy helping dementia patients in the UK.    In the facility where I work, the recreation department has a daily structured program in place that is very similar to this concept for our more severely cognitively impaired residents.  I can tell you the program  does seem to aid in reducing agitation and some other dementia-related behaviors.  It would be interesting to gauge as to whether or not CST has any effects on improving our resident's overall cognitive capacity.


• How the Class Act is seeking to set up a Class Program to assist caregivers in managing their loved one's care at home.  While every bit of financial assistance is a wonderful thing, I would suggest a minimum cash benefit of $100 a day for those with more skilled care needs.   It already costs around $300 per day to reside in a long term care facility, so that would still be a huge savings.


• I love the insights, tips and glimpses into the world of Alzheimer's Speaks.  This blog is a beautiful narrative depicting the love a daughter has for her mother who has AD and resides in a nursing facility.  Her post about the "surprises" one can encounter when loving and caring for an Alzheimer's individual is truly touching.


• Only about 30% of adults create an Advance Directive.  Doctor's need to step it up and encourage more of their patient's to name health care agents and outline their health care wishes before a catastrophic medical event occurs.   More importantly, Advance Directives should be drawn up before an elderly loved one is no longer able to articulate his or her wishes.


• The American Geriatric Society Foundation for Health & Aging lists tips to ensure caregivers find good long term care placement for their loved ones.

Social Work Wonder Woman

I like this idea on Nechakogal's blog asking readers to describe their social work environment via a cartoon-ish character parody.   Now, I can't really identify with the three options given in the poll:

1. Cinderella Social Worker- this is the worker who essentially is caught up in cleaning up after her wicked (and wealthy?) clients.  She pushes paper more than she actually engages the people she works with.  She's a slave to the grind and buried in her work.  Hopefully, a magical Prince will arrive and save her from her thankless tasks and buy her lots and lots of new shoes.


2. The Firefighter- this social worker is running around putting out fires all the live long day.  Ok, I can kinda relate to this one.  There certainly are some days where it feels like all I'm doing is deflecting one hit after another and getting close to nothing actually accomplished.  Everything is an urgent matter.


3. Papa Smurf-- This social worker is community-driven and approaches his or her work with idealistic compassion and seeks to unify rather than divide.  Papa is the social worker I think many of us *want* to emulate, but often get sidetracked because we're busy being firefighters and thinking about new shoes when we're buried in our paperwork.  (How's that for a nice tie-in?) :D

So, I participated in the poll but naturally, had to choose the "other" option.  When it comes down to it,  none of the above truly embody what it is I do or who I sometimes feel like in my practice.   I definitely can see a little of the firefighter tendency in me as a social worker, but it's not a consistent feeling.   The cartoon/fictional character I believe best embodies the social worker I am and the environment I exist within is.....



You got it.

I'm Wonder Woman.

I'm not trying to be cocky or silly, but after truly thinking about this (and consulting the google gods for a little Super Hero back-story research), I think Wonder Woman is a near perfect fit to describe my Social Work Persona and the general themes that develop in my work.   Per Wikipedia:

Wonder Woman is an Amazon (based on the Amazons of Greek mythology) and was created by Marston as a "distinctly feminist role model whose mission was to bring the Amazon ideals of love, peace, and sexual equality to a world torn by the hatred of men.'" Her powers include super-speed, super-stamina, super-agility. She is highly proficient in hand-to-hand combat and in the art of tactical warfare. She also possesses an animal-like cunning and a natural rapport with animals, which has in the past been presented as an actual ability to communicate with the animal kingdom. She uses her Lasso of Truth (which forces those bound by it to tell the truth), a pair of indestructible bracelets, and an invisible airplane.

Ok, so I am no Amazon woman and I don't wear corsets and thigh high red boots to work.  I also don't have one of those newfangled invisible airplanes, (however, my salary review is coming up) but, I dig the "feminist role model" and super-speed/super stamina powers.  Hell, I'm a damn speedy and efficient social worker!  I can get a lot accomplished and still be a client advocate.  Those traits definitely represent me on a lot of levels.  And I have this uncanny ability which warrants people (clients and non-clients)  to divulge their life secrets and on occasion, I hear some pretty heavy confessions.  It's as though I have a symbolic Lasso Of Truth force that emanates from me.  I kid you not.  Also, I have the ability to communicate with my cats.  We talk to each other all the time.

So there it is.  I am Wonder Woman, Social Worker.  Hear me roar!