b"ADMISSIONSRegistered Social Service Worker Mike Flood (left) and Registered Social Worker Morgan Timmermans (right) with residents of Extendicare PeterboroughHow social workers help support the well-being of residentsThe positive impact of a new pilot project at several Extendicarelong-term care homesT he transition into long-term care is a major change forthe RSSW, its about service navigation, settling in, and pre-residents and their family support system. It involvesadmission work, such as touring people in the community a lot of emotions throughout the journey, says Amyand answering inquiry calls from the community about long-McNally, a Registered Social Worker and Psychotherapistterm care, says McNally. This requires a dedicated person at Extendicare. The process of transitioning into long-termto support those who might not have experience navigating care can be complex. long-term care and the health care system.It is a time when increased professional emotional andAs a result of the new project, there was a shift in the mental health supports offered to residents can help paveRSWs' work from clerical to clinical. Rather than overseeing the way for a smooth and positive experience. Recognizingadmissions, the RSWs could focus primarily on resident and the need for enhanced resources for residents and theirfamily mental health, well-being and psychosocial support.well-being at this important stage, several Extendicare homes in the Greater Toronto Area have piloted expandedWhat weve done is target providing one-on-one resources for social work support for residents.counselling and group counselling, explains McNally. RSWs are also qualified to provide ongoing assessments In a prior model, teams realized that the Registered Socialand support through the entire long-term care process, Workers (RSWs) were predominantly providing support withunderstanding the loss of health status, the grief around that, admissions. With improved resident quality of life in mind,and through the continuum right up through palliative care this led to a new and strategic approach that empoweredand end of life.RSWs to increase the psycho-social support, counselling and psychotherapy services to residents and their families.Clinical care According to the Ontario Association of Social Workers This was made possible through a pilot project that(OASW), RSWs are the largest providers of mental health introduced Registered Social Service Workers (RSSW) tocare in Ontario. In general, most people dont realize that work in the new role of Admissions Coordinator (AC). Forthat clinical care is within our scope, says McNally. 58 LONG TERM CARE TODAY Fall/Winter 2024"