In each series of ‘Care to chat’ we try and make sure that as part of the conversations we have, we hear the voices of people who use social care or social work services, their families and carers.
Many families navigate having care at home for the first time without knowing what to expect. In this special episode we are privileged to hear about one family’s real-life experience of receiving homecare services.
Two daughters (Janeen Stevenson and Deena Nimick) talk about their experience of social care supporting their mum (Edna, now passed) and 91-year-old dad Jim Gordon, to remain at home together when they both needed care. Joining them is Hayley Todd, from the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust’s Home Care Team, that supported both Edna and Jim.
Dr Wendy Austin and guests talk passionately about how important it is for social care practitioners to hear that what they do is valued by families and those who they support. The episode also covers why it is important for families to have the conversation with their aging parents about what their wishes could be if they needed care. It is often left to the last minute or after a crisis, but with a little planning, and an openness to talk about it, the wishes of those who need care can be put in place – with a positive experience for everyone in the family.
This is a great example of social care working well for families. With a blend of support from family, statutory services and personal assistants (personal assistants are not required to be registered social are practitioners), this story evidences the navigation of finding the right options for Jim and Edna’s wish to stay together was possible.’
At its heart this is a love story, which hopefully will help other families that find themselves in similar situations, ensure the right care is put in place to support a loved one.
Social care is a job that is led by the heart with people who make a ‘real’ difference in people’s lives. They have to however be the right person to provide social care support – including being able to build strong relationships with the people they care for and their family members, take the time to really get to know the person, and recognise that small acts of respect and kindness count.
Deena, who is also Policy and Campaign Manager, Centre for Independent Living (CILNI), shared her family’s experience of the care.
“We had a lot of security knowing that the care staff were going in four times a day and she adored them. She saw each of the as a new friend coming through the door and loved to hear about what was going on in their lives…they become like extended family in my ways.”
This podcast episode complements the ‘Social care – Making a difference’ campaign an annual campaign which encourages people to consider social care as a career of choice and recognises the value of the social care workforce.
‘Care to chat’ releases a new episode every fortnight, discussing current topics about social care and social work regulation in Northern Ireland. Listen to ‘Care to chat’ wherever you find your favourite podcasts including Apple, Spotify, or on our website at: niscc.info/care-to-chat-podcast, where you can find all the new episodes and episodes from our previous series.
Episode 5: What social care means to us – Our family’s story (33 minutes)
For more information:
As the Care to chat podcasts are designed with the social care and social work workforce in mind, we would like to invite suggestions of topics that our listeners would be interested to hear covered. If you have questions, suggestions or feedback about the podcast, email: comms@niscc.hscni.net.