The seniors in our societies face a number of barriers. One of these societal barriers is social isolation of seniors with disabilities ("FAQ," 2009). Many senior's in our communities are living in care centers because they are unable to live on their own because of an illness or disability ("FAQ," 2009). Last year I worked with an organization by the name of Linkages. Linkages works with the senior population in care centers who because of disabilities such as being unable to walk without an aid of some kind or in wheelchairs are bound to these centers causing them loneliness, seclusion, and segregation from their inability to participate in society like they used to ("FAQ," 2009). Also in the centers many senior people do not have family or friends close by to visit which is a contributor to this feeling of isolation. In order to creative positive change in the area of seniors feeling social isolated in care facilities there needs to be more services and supports provided to create a better quality of life for these individuals. By creating this change we would hopefully be able to make these seniors feel more a part of the community again and raise their self worth that are damaged by the isolation ("FAQ," 2009).
Linkages Society of Alberta is an organization that works towards eliminating social isolation and stigmas of seniors by creating school programs that link the generations together ("FAQ," 2009). By participating in this program it creates a mutual benefit for both the senior and students ("FAQ," 2009). By having these visits it helps remove generational stereotypes for both generations, reduces the barriers of social isolation from the seniors, and gives students an opportunity to interact with seniors if they don’t normally get the chance (no grandparents) ("FAQ," 2009). Although Linkages is a great organization there was so much demand for its services that there was waiting list to participate. This shows how much organizations like this one and others are needed in our society. I have always thought that in order to create change and get change started you need to become more educated on that particular area as well as educate others. It’s hard to make positive change if you yourself know little about the issue. So by creating/implementing organizations such as Linkages it makes people aware of issues such as social isolation among seniors and also eliminates them.
In a social democratic society they believe that social problems start with conflicts from within our society; therefore, society as a whole needs to fix them (Mullaly, 2007). They use the “structural model of welfare” which provides free and universal services for all members of society that are in need (Mullaly, 2007, p. 128). This model doesn’t stop at a minimum then it comes to welfare like the liberalism perspective (Mullaly, 2007). They try to help people in need to the highest degree that they can (Mullaly, 2007). The opinions of people in society and the people using these services are also important to this model when making decisions (Mullaly, 2007). This differs from the traditional ways of having professional make all the decisions (Mullaly, 2007). In a social democratic society it allows for all people in need to access services and have a voice towards these services (Mullaly, 2007). This would allow for services such as Linkages to be accessible to seniors in our society as well as other organization that work towards eliminating barriers for seniors. No one knows better than the people experiencing these barrier what their needs are. So for the senior population to have a voice in services it would help improve and gear these services to match their needs.
To create a good quality of life away from social isolation for the senior population with disabilities they need support. In order to get this support there needs to be easily accessible social services. In order to have these services we need an ideology that believes in proving these services for citizens in need. Social democratic perspective
Nicole G
References
FAQ (2009). In LINKages society of alberta. Retrieved November 22, 2010, from http://www.link-ages.ca/faq.html
Mullaly, R. (2007). The new structural social work (3rd Ed.). Don Mills, ON: Oxford University Press.
Great post! I like how you mentioned that the elderly need to have a voice in services to to improve and match their needs. It made me think about the elderly people I used to work with and how I really wanted to make a change to help them enjoy their everyday life. They do need these type of services that will eliminate their barriers. I believe that the elderly have pretty much raised all of us to be great leaders, and we definitely need to give back to them.
ReplyDeleteAngelene S.
I have never heard of linkages before, sounds interesting and the goal behind it to eliminate social isolation of the elderly, and bring generations together was very neat. I thought this was interesting and a unique topic to write about.
ReplyDeleteAutumn B.
Hello Autumn, yes it is a great organization with good goals. Until I worked there I didn’t realize that many elderly people faced social isolation let alone all the barriers they have to face in our society. I find now that I have worked with the elderly I am more sensitive to topics regarding barriers that they. It was definitely a good experience!
ReplyDeleteNicole G
In your post you mentioned isolation, and a lack of family and friends around them. In today society the medical field, the doctors pride themselves on saving lives, and "bring them back. Today's older generation are living long and outliving family and friends until they are the only ones left in their generation. I don't wanna out live my friends and family and spend my final days sitting in a wheelchair and listening to a clock tick.
ReplyDeleteJordan