BONTOC, Mountain Province (PIA) — The Department of Social Welfare and Development and the provincial government unit of Mountain Province have partnered in capacitating barangay health workers and volunteers in caring for the senior citizens, especially the sick and bedridden.
The two-day seminar on Home Care Support Services for Senior Citizens (HCSSSC) aims to improve the quality of care provided to sick, frail, and bedridden elderly in their homes. It also seeks to support family members, kinship care, and home care volunteers in their caregiving roles.
Provincial Administrator John K. Likigan emphasized that the seminar is a significant help to healthcare volunteers and workers in fulfilling their responsibilities efficiently.
The seminar topics included aging and the risks of elder abuse, case management for the sick, frail, and bedridden seniors, among others.
Participants expressed their gratitude to the provincial government and the DSWD for the opportunity, sharing their knowledge and skills in providing proper care for senior citizens are enhanced through the seminar.
Rhoda B. Besay, a health worker, remarked, “The seminar taught us how to properly care for senior citizens and build strong relationships with both they and their families, which is important in gaining their trust.”
Zenaida Benito, a food handler, shared, “This seminar taught me how to better engage with and care for senior citizens. Since they can sometimes be emotionally sensitive, we need to approach them with patience. As a food handler, I also want to promote healthy eating by sharing nutritious food options with them.”
Massage therapist Sheila Chinalpan, added, “As therapists, we are trained to communicate effectively, understand their emotions, and respond with empathy, patience, and care. This seminar helped strengthen those skills, especially in meeting the specific needs of senior citizens.”
The HCSSSC program of the DSWD promotes the participation of family members, health workers and volunteers and other stakeholders in the provision of intervention and social services to sick and frail elderly at home. **JDP/CGS-PIA CAR, Mountain Province
