The aging in the social experience some challenges that limit them from leading normal lives and living to achieve their objectives of life in an enabling environment. We visited the Harnett County Department on Aging which is a governmental Agency for the Aging in the society to get an insight into their services and role in supporting the elderly in the society. We interviewed Mrs. Mary Jane Saul's who is the administrator, Mr. Adams Walden who is a direct service worker and Mr. Johnson Gleaton who is a client and beneficiary of the government program based Harnett North Carolina
Administrator (Mrs. Mary Jane Saul's)
1. What are the agency's mission and the nature and the scope of its services?
In a nutshell, the core mission of this agency is to educate the elderly population in successful aging by remaining independent, active and healthy. We have identified that most of the older adults in our society today lead miserable lives due to isolation and loneliness. Others are at times abandoned by their children who seek greener pastures in professional development. As such we address their physical needs such as food and exercises to keep fit. We also provide counseling and step by step whole-artistic development of the elderly population in Harnett County.
2. What does the agency serve (target population)?
The services we provide include; the nutrition support program for the elderly where we offer food to these old populations. We also provide information and public awareness on the need to take care of the aging and by extension family caregiving support services to deal with psychological needs. We organize days for the elderly to meet for fitness, bond with each other and the other population among others. We also provide rehabilitation services for people with need and therapy services for the ailing. To sum it up, we support these people live to their full potential.
3. What are the agency's funding sources?
The main funding source is the government. The federal government and our state government. We get other financial aid from international NGO's and well-wishers within.
4. Does the agency have formal linkages to other local agencies?
Yes, we have linkages with other local agencies such as whispering pines. We associate and work together with the local agencies to ensure that our goals are achieved.
5. Roles do social workers play in the agency? If none, is there a need for social work component?
We incorporate social workers in an awareness campaign for the elderly support. We purpose to turn tables on the attitude and perception of the people towards the elderly and social workers play a significant role in that emancipation campaign.
6. What is your assessment of the impact of the agency's assessment on the target population?
Since inception, we have impacted on over 30000 older adults in Harnett. We have provided them with their needs such as counseling, rehabilitation, therapy, and food. We also educate the younger population on saving for elderly living.
7. What are the most critical problems facing older persons living in this community? How well are those problems being addressed by the current programs and services available to the community residents?
The most critical problem is isolation and loneliness of the older adults. They are abandoned by their grown-up children. As a result, they lack basic needs and suffer depression. However, through this program, we provide caregiver support to address their psychological needs. Recreational activities and outings to address their physical and emotional needs without forgetting the nutrition program.
8. What new services or additional resources are needed to provide for the unmet needs of the older community residents.
We still need additional resources to provide comprehensive caregiver support and set up a financial cover scheme for the older adults. In addition to that, more rehabilitation centers should be set up to supplement the available ones
Direct service worker (Mr. Adams Walden)
1. What are your programs, service and treatment responsibilities?
I specialize in ensuring the health and fitness of the elderly of the elderly in the society. I organize recreational activities and fitness classes for these people where we teach them to invest in health for the prevention of ailments that occur as a result of old age. The recreation services include jogging, running basic exercises and fun moments such as tug of war. I also monitor the progress of each person under my jurisdiction.
2. What types of client needs or problems do you deal with?
I deal with the physical needs of the clients. We educate them how to keep themselves fit through nutrition guide and fitness camps. We monitor and evaluate their progress and advise where possible.
3. What are the special challenges or issues encountered in working with older persons?
The main challenge pessimism among the old generation. Their age has reduced them into thinking that it is rather too late to live to their full potential. Isolation and loneliness are the main contributing factors to this.
4. How effective do you feel the agency services are effective in meeting I meeting the needs of the target population?
The agency has provided a platform first for the elderly to access fundamental services such as counseling, healthy living and fitness, emotional development and recreational activities that address the boredom, pessimism, and loneliness that were traditionally suffered by the aging
5. What are the most critical problems facing older persons living in this community? How well are these problems being met by the current programs and services available to the older community residents?
I think the main problem facing the aging here is the access to the fundamental services they require due to their advanced age. Consequently, loneliness and depression is another key problem that we need to address fully.
6. What are the new services or additional resources are needed to provide for unmet needs of older persons and their families?
I think we need to introduce a saving scheme for this aging people to address some of their financial challenges while old. On the other hand, we should continue to empower the young to take good care of their aging in preparation for their season.
Agency client (Johnson Gleaton)
1. Why did you seek the services of this agency?
I am crippled as you can see. Most of the time I was lonely. When I heard of this agency, I joined, and since then I found the much-needed company I wanted.
2. Do you know about the services available to older persons living in this community?
Yes, I do. The services that we are provided which include food provision, rehabilitation, health and fitness education, and recreational services among others
3. What impact has this agency's services had on the overall quality of your life?
This agency has helped me to fully access all the services I need. I have been given somebody to check on me and take care of my requirements in my home. I also get an opportunity to interact with other older adults with similar challenges. But most important of all is enabling me to get food and easier mobility.
4. What do you think are the most critical problems facing the older people in the society today?
I think most of the older people are lonely with no one to talk to or bond with. For that reason, they feel wasted and inadequate
5. What new services are required to provide for the unmet needs of the community's older population?
I think they should introduce new learning courses, curriculum, and competitions for the elderly and disabilities so that we can also feel lively and whole again. We also need personal financial support to achieve our goals and support those of our children.
