b'PERSON-CENTRED CAREBuilding bridges Stock photoSocial workers and social service workers in long-term careBy Dana Church M aggie is crying. Brooke* looks up from herYou feel like you have eight arms paperwork. A personal support worker (PSW) isEvery day is different for social workers (SWs) and social standing at her desk. I tried talking to her, theservice workers (SSWs) like Brooke. They are advocates PSW says. Im sorry, but I dont have more time to talk tofor residents emotional and mental well-being, but at any her right now.moment, they might be mediators, negotiators, educators, Thanks for telling me, Brooke replies. Ill go visit her. collaborators and connectors. They take on other necessary Brooke arrives at Maggies room. Maggie is in bed. Brookeroles to help residents and their care partners/caregivers sits next to her. I dont want to be a burden, Maggienavigate the health care system and community-based whispers. She begins to cry. Brooke holds her hand andresources. Some days, you feel like you have eight arms, assures her that the long-term care (LTC) team is there forone SW told us, and every arm is pulled in various directions. her. Maggie confides to Brooke that she has bladder pain.But you also hold a lot of hands and give a lot of hugs. Her granddaughters birthday is approaching, and shesAlthough SWs might feel stretched across roles, they often worried she wont be able to give her a gift. I miss her sohave the unique honour of learning about residents and their much, Maggie says. experiences while creating space and safety for emotional After listening to Maggie and comforting her, Brooke returnssharing. For instance, it is not uncommon for residents to to her desk. She arranges for a nurse to assess Maggies pain.share personal stories with SWs and SSWs that they never She makes a note to call Maggies son about the birthdayshared with anyone before.gift. Her desk phone flashes with six new voicemails. A loud voice interrupts her train of thought, and she looks up toUnderutilized versus a growing needsee a visibly frustrated woman at the nursing station. BrookeCurrently, there are many long-term care homes in the recognizes the woman as a residents daughter, who sheprovince that do not have a SW or SSW role. This may be knows has been having a difficult time as her mothersputting these long-term care homes at a disadvantage as health declines. Brooke is about to intervene when herSWs and SSWs play an essential role in helping address the watch alarm goes off. It reminds her that she is scheduled tocomplexity of needs within homes. give a tour to a prospective resident and their family infive minutes. The transition to long-term care itself can evoke feelings of Its only 9:25 a.m. loneliness, anxiety, helplessness and grief. These feelings 46 LONG TERM CARE TODAY Spring/Summer 2025'