specific needs of children and elderly left behind as a ... - IOM Moldova

Policies and mechanisms existing on the protection of children and the elderly
Community social services are within the competence of community social
workers. These services include: counselling, providing information
and case management: “if we see their pension is small, they have the possibility
to apply for social benefits and for social canteen services; they can
get a free travel pass for public transport; we inform them and recommend
them services they can benefit from, for example material or humanitarian
aid” (FG_EE_urban); “the elderly address the social worker when they
need help, when they face problems with dividing something, or with children
or when they need to place someone under the guardianship or to conclude
documents”, “sometimes they come for advice, it is most important
to be informed in order to help them solve their problems. Most often they
address the social worker. While before they were addressing the mayor
or the secretary, now they come to us” (FG_EE_urban_rural). These services
are based upon the initial and complex evaluation of the elderly
and their individual needs: “during this process we assess the beneficiary’s
needs. Taking into account identified needs, we work out the social assistance
plan. The psychologist also participates in the creation of this plan
and if it is necessary we involve other members of the multidisciplinary
team” (III_EE_7). The core of this process is to mobilize the efforts of
the elderly and to ensure the support of their family and community in
solving issues. The case management 7 determines the practical support
the elderly will benefit from. Belonging to the category of the elderly
left behind as a consequence of migration is not always a criterion of
vulnerability and vice versa: “a person was complaining that in their village
parcels with food were distributed for lonely people. A family who has
2 daughters abroad sending them money for living on a monthly basis also
received such a parcel as they were included in the category of elderly left
behind. While others living only on a pension did not receive anything as
their children are in the country and they can not be included in the target
group. There is no indicator when the financial condition of children is no
better than that of their parents’... They also have families and face serious
problems to live on and they have no possibility to help their parents
with money. Tell me in this case who has a greater need for that parcel
with oil and pasta received as a humanitarian aid? The community is to
decide as they are acquainted with the situation” (III_EE_4). According
to central authorities “community social workers work a lot with the
elderly and they try to involve them in different activities in order to bring
them together to share opinions. This also represents a form of support for
the elderly” (III_EE_7).
Local public authorities of the second level (Social Assistance and Family
Protection Departments/Sections) implement social policies, and create
and develop social services in the district. At this level a number of community
services are administered, the majority of specialized services.
NOTE
7
“The main
methodological
instructions for
community social
workers refer to the
case management by
which the social worker
assesses the needs of
beneficiaries and their
families, coordinates,
supervises and supports
the beneficiary to benefit
from social services that
will meet their needs.”
Case management.
Handbook of social
assistant. Approved by
MLSPF’s order no. 71 of
October the 3rd 2008.
213