Speaker
Mr Ignatius Chida
Phd Student
Charles Sturt University
Caring for the elderly: Theoretical Perspectives
Abstract Narrative
Abstract
Title: Caring for the Elderly: Theoretical perspectives
Caring for the elderly has generated heated debates among social policy analysts and scholars particularly with regards to its consistent association with issues of gender roles, psychological, social and economic conundrums, as well as ethical and legal challenges. This paper aims to discuss the theorisation of care from different disciplinary perspectives and their practical implications for caring for the elderly. By employing the secondary data analysis method, it critically reviews the main theories of caring and points out their strengths and limitations. The analysis elaborates theorisation of care from: sociological point of view covering social/family, modernisation/industrialisation perspectives; psychological aspects focusing on emotions and mental health; economic and market driven forces; feminist thoughts; legal/ethical/rights perspectives; and biological and medical conditions. The paper argues that despite valid explanations of caring for the elderly, though with respective limitations, these theories failed to provide solutions that focus on best caring for the elderly. This is so because each disciplinary theoretical perspective has its own narrow agenda, disregarding the best interest of and caring for the elderly. That agenda may be profit, saving costs, shifting responsibilities (in terms of private, public, family, gender) and professional self-interest. This analysis has implications for integrating these theoretical perspectives to explore best possible ways to prevent neglect of and ensure caring for the elderly with dignity.
Biography
Ignatius has extensive social work practice nationally and internationally. Ignatius teaches in the Social Work Discipline at Charles Sturt University, in Australia. Ignatius’ research interests are in ageing – particularly on the nexus between formal and informal care; settlement of skilled migrants in the diaspora; trans-cultural issues for refugees and migrants.
Dr Vakai Matutu
Post Doc Research Fellow
North West University
The Welfare State, Social Protection Gaps and Opportunities for Elderly People in Post 2000 resettlements of Zimbabwe.
Abstract Narrative
The Welfare State, Social Protection Gaps and Opportunities for Elderly People in Post 2000 resettlements of Zimbabwe.
Dr. Vakai Matutu (PhD)
Post-Doctoral Research Fellow
North-West University, South Africa
This paper is based on work from a PhD thesis entitled Government Social Protection Policy Impact on Elderly- Women Headed Households in Rural Zimbabwe by Vakai Matutu- 2019 at North West University , South Africa. Government financed social protection for the poor, vulnerable populations is an important social security instrument which ensures that vulnerable members of society do have a sustainable and resilient livelihood. Elderly people in rural Zimbabwe remain one of the most vulnerable population group. The main purpose of this research was to examine and understand government funded public social protection challenges among elderly women headed households in the post 2000 resettlements (Fast Track Land Reform Settlements). This study is based on mixed methods which combined both primary and secondary data from qualitative and quantitative methods. Data for this study was generated through household survey interviews, key informant interviews and focus group discussions. Elderly women-headed households were the study participants for this research. In its findings this study established that while social protection is both a human right and a government responsibility in Zimbabwe public social protection remains weak and fragmented both at policy and implementation levels. Limited coverage, failure to address needs, inconsistent support, inability to develop household resilience and inadequate social services infrastructure are some of the key challenges facing government social protection support in the post 2000 resettlements .Government financed public social protection among elderly women headed households failed to significantly build household resilience to food insecurity and above all increasing household asset base including disposable income. A robust social protection policy and programme which addresses the multiple vulnerabilities of elderly people and at the same time building a long-lasting resilience among vulnerable households is needed to meet the basic social security needs among the poor vulnerable elderly women headed households in the post 2000 resettlements, rural Zimbabwe.
Key Words: social protection, elderly women headed households, post 2000 resettlements, vulnerability, resilience.
Biography
Dr Vakai Matutu is a holder of the following degrees: PhD in Development Studies (NWU-RSA), MSc in Development Studies (NUST-Zimbabwe) and a BSc Hons in Sociology from the University of Zimbabwe. He is a Post Doc Research Fellow with North West University. His research interests are social protection, social policy, gender, poverty and health.
Mr Edwin Mutambanengwe
Team Manager
London Borough Of Sutton
Implementation of family strengthening and community-based child protection innovations to reduce child abuse and neglect (CAN): A comparative analysis of Zimbabwe and UK
Abstract Narrative
Objectives: The purpose of the study is to explore how family strengthening programmes that are rooted in communities are being implemented in different countries with different welfare and income levels using Fixsen et al’s (2005) conceptual framework.
Methods: The study uses documentary analysis and key informant interviews to explore how family strengthening and community-based child protection interventions are framed in national legislation and policy, and how these are translated at organisational level. Key informant interviews provided useful primary data to understand how implementation of child protection programmes work in practice and the extent to which there is compliance, or innovations thereof to counter the challenges.
Results: In the context of the UK, many children come to the attention of social services due to neglect and the combined impact (NSPCC, 2019) of mental health, substance misuse and domestic violence. There are numerous legislative and policy framework informing responses by child welfare organisations, primarily local authorities who have the overall mandate for child protection (Feikeert-Ahalt, 2019). There appears to be very high compliance with the policy and legislative framework which provides clear direction and guidance for professionals when a child has been abused. Overall, local authorities have the responsibility to address cases of CAN hence a very statist approach is employed with an Anglo-American Child Protection model that creates antagonism between intervention workers and families (Spratt & Nett, 2013).
Similarly, Zimbabwe has numerous child protection policies and laws derived from UK, as Zimbabwe is a former British colony (Kaseke, 1991). However, these policies are not well coordinated and there is no clear guidance to give practitioners a clear mandate and direction when offering child protection services. While children are mostly at risk of harm due to poverty, socio-economic and political upheavals, and cultural issues, there is a lack of capacity for the central government to respond to child abuse and neglect cases (SOS, 2014). As such, residual interventions (Spicker, 2020) are only offered in the direst situations particularly when addressing issues of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC). Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) are therefore left with the role of offering protective measures for children in need as well as intervening to strengthening families and community structures, albeit in an unfavourable political environment.
Conclusion
Both UK and Zimbabwe have adequate legal and policy framework to address CAN. There are nuances in practice in both contexts due to the level of resources, level of development and socio-political contexts. While the State is responsible for child welfare in both contexts, how that translates in practice is different hence in Zimbabwe CSOs offer child protection and family strengthening and community development programmes due to lack of government capacity. Nevertheless, in both contexts there are learnings that can be drawn on how to strengthen implementation of family-focused and community-based interventions by focusing on staff, organisations, community involvement and influence factors (Fixsen et al., 2005).
Biography
Edwin Mutambanengwe is a qualified Social Worker with over 12 years international experience from Zimbabwe, South Africa and currently practising in the UK as a practice manager. In 2015, Edwin was awarded a Master of Social Work, Cum Laude at the University of Johannesburg and was awarded the prestigious Golden Key Award. Edwin is currently a Doctoral student at University of Johannesburg, Centre for Social Development in Africa on implementation science
Dr Alida du Plessis-Faurie
Lecturer
University of Johannesburg (UJ)
Collaboration between the Health and Welfare Sectors who strengthen and promote health in children and families during the Covid-19 pandemic: a pilot study’
Abstract Narrative
Background: The Centre for Social Development in Africa (CSDA) at the University of Johannesburg is a research centre interested in welfare services and child well-being, along with other social development issues. Like many countries across the globe, the fragmentation of service provision and the lack of functional cooperation between health and welfare sectors serving children and families, remains an ongoing challenge in South Africa. The global Covid-19 pandemic greatly increased these challenges.
For that reason, a Community of Practice (COP) initiative was established by the CSDA between the health and welfare sectors to assist children and families in their deprived environments. The aim of the COP was to strengthen and promote functional collaboration between these different health professionals to address the needs of vulnerable learners.
Aim: The purpose of this article is to describe the experiences of social workers and professional nurses conducting psycho-social and health screenings with grade R and grade 1 learners as well as their caregivers.
Method: A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive research design was used. Focus group interviews were used to collect data. The team doing psycho-social and health screenings with 181 grade R and Grade 1 children and their caregivers consisted of seven social workers and six professional nurses. The focus group was recorded, field notes and observations made. Data were analysed using a thematic method of coding. Ethics approval from the University of Johannesburg (REC-01-050-2020) as well as consent from the CoJ and the Gauteng Education Department (Provincial and District) to conduct this research were obtained. Both children and caregivers consented in writing to participate in the study.
Results: Four themes emerged from the data analysis: The participants shared positive and negative experiences of the involvement in the field work. They realized the value of collaboration between various health professionals in supporting the wellbeing of children and families as units of care. Feedback on the data collection application was shared.
Conclusion: Consensus was reached that collaboration between the health and welfare sectors are vital to support and promote families and their children’s health. This pilot study confirmed that during the Covid-19 pandemic, parents who live in deprived circumstances, were unable to support the children emotionally, physically and financially. The parents did not have the insight, knowledge and skills to support their children with ongoing education at home during lockdown. The importance of these health professionals being engaged as a team was highlighted to promote the health of families and their children, support their human rights and further social and economic justice.
Biography
Alida is a lecturer at the University of Johannesburg. She obtained her Bachelors in Nursing in 1997 from the University of Johannesburg. Her Master research was completed (cum laude), at the University of Pretoria (2008). She completed her PhD at the University of Johannesburg in 2020, with the title: ‘A model for nurses to facilitate mothers’ caring of their preterm infants in an informal settlement, Gauteng’. Alida received various national and international awards on presenting her research. She lectures Community Nursing in the Undergraduate B. Cur programme, involved in the Riverlea Community Clinic project and supervise several Master study students and one PhD student. She published in an accredited national journal. Alida was involved with the development of the GDoH Standardized Neonatal Intensive Care and –Highcare Chart in 2017. Alida is a Neonatal Nursing Consultant and has broad experience in mothers and infants in the community
Ms Ana Stambuk
Full professor
Faculty of Law, Department of Social Work
The role of the elderly people in contemporary family in Croatia – the view of the three generations
Abstract Narrative
“Ageing is the basic human experience which begin on the day of our birth and reaches its peak in older age. By accepting ageing on the personal, family and social level as a period of life which carries certain changes in psychical, health and social functioning as well as spiritual maturation we send a message about ageing process as a natural, integral and necessary part of human life. At the same time inevitable changes in older age should not be basis for development of stereotypes, prejudices and discrimination but the challenge for finding and testimony for meaningful life. In mutual (intergenerational) searching for the answer on the question about the role of elderly people in today`s world lays the ground for successful, active and healthy ageing, ageing which is not the meaning of itself but which allows (through open communication and coexistence with others) shaping of one new reality which from generation to generation send message about indestructibility and sense of human life. The goal of these qualitative research was to examine the role of elderly persons in the family from the perspective of the elderly, their children and grandchildren. In the research participated 74 participants in elderly age (65-98), 82 participants in middle age (26-62) and 86 young persons (age 18-25). The data was obtained by half structured interview in rural and urban parts of Croatia. The method of analyse was thematic analysis. The results of the research show that all three generations see the role of the elderly people in the family as providing emotional, advisory and material help/support; providing support in bringing up grandchildren; care of the spiritual aspects of life in family and care about the required members of family. Also the important theme represent the role of elderly persons in running a household. Although the main themes are common and matching in all mentioned groups of participants some specifics in individual age categories are found which will be presented and discussed. In the conclusion it will be highlighted that regardless the differences in the three generations, the role of the elderly persons in the family (seen by the elderly, their children and grandchildren) is very clear and speaks in favour of family and intergeneration connection and support within contemporary family in Croatia. ”
Biography
1988 I graduated from a four-year study of religious pedagogy and catechetical ministry at the Catechetical Institute at the Catholic Theological Faculty in Zagreb.
1990 I started studying social work at the Faculty of Law in Zagreb, and I graduated in 1994.
After graduation, I started postgraduate studies at the Faculty of Medicine, Department of Social Psychiatry.
1999 I defended master thesis entitled: “The association of sociodemographic and psychological characteristics in adapting to life in a retirement home” at the Faculty of Medicine in Zagreb
My doctoral dissertation entitled: “The attitudes of elder people to death and dying” I defended 2004 at the Faculty of Law in Zagreb.
For Full Professor I was elected 2019, and as Chair of Social Gerontology in 2011.
Since 1995, I have been employed at the Study Centre for Social Work, the University of Zagreb, at the Department of Social Gerontology, where within the eponymous course I am responsible for seminar lectures and field work. After obtaining authorisation, I maintain exams. From 2003 to today I undertake lectures, seminars, workshops and field work. Since 2011 I have been teaching at graduate level, leading the course Selected Areas – the Elderly, and since 2012 I also give lectures in the elective course Palliative Care. As part of the postgraduate studies in the theory and methodology of social work, I prepared two elective courses: Selected Topics in Social Gerontology and Palliative Care for the Elderly.