While lots of Americans have tried to stay home over the last few months, many others are on the job every day, doing what they do best. Whether they are truck drivers, healthcare workers, first responders, pharmacists, store clerks, postal workers, trash collectors, or another important role, essential workers have kept the country going. To honor these hard-working men and women, we want to shine the spotlight on some of them.
Child protective services is a commonly heard term, yet people may not think about protective services for the elderly. Clay County has two adult protective services social workers who each spend many hours a week to ensure the wellbeing of senior citizens. The roles of Jim Branscum and Lisa Johnson are considered so valuable, they were recently designated as first responders, along with child protective service social workers.
In early June, the NC Department of Health and Human Services officially designated protective services social workers as first responders. “Child protective services and adult protective services are essential to protecting children and adults who are suspected or who have been found to be abused,” a NCDHHS press release said.
Clay County DSS Director Todd Goins said the designation is probably overdue. “They are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” he said. “They get a call and we’re required by law to respond, depending on the urgency. COVID does not impact the requirements, but how we handle them. Sometimes adult children are calling to report parents needing to be checked on.”
Clay County’s adult protective social workers had 73 reports for 2019. They had 40 Adult Protective Services reports from January 1, 2020 through June 30, 2020. “I know it does not sound like a lot,” Branscum said. “We are working with the most vulnerable population in this.” Not only do they follow up on new reports, but they field dozens of other calls weekly. There are specific criteria for further DSS follow-up; however, they both do a lot of home visits and phone calls to regular clients, as well.
Johnson said the pandemic has made many senior citizens afraid to leave their house, “It is not always abuse, neglect or exploitation,” she explained. “But sometimes it is self-neglect. Some just need an outreach and we can visit and meet them on their porches. Everyone in North Carolina is a mandated reporter. We can go out and determine the level of disability. We are part of a critical infrastructure for the state so PPE is available for us.”
Bransum added, “Sometimes we link them up with the sheriff’s office or EMS to determine the need. We work closely with Jeff Ledford at the community paramedicine program.” Clay County Transportation sometimes helps with phone calls. In addition, DSS has information about caregiver groups and a grandparents group for those raising kids. “Clay County is great at cohesion,” Johnson said. “Everybody’s working for the same goals and county employees are appreciated.”
Branscum added, “And we have supervisors who support us, as well.”
Branscum and Johnson have both worked in nursing homes. They can help someone be discharged from or admitted to a nursing facility, but that is a last step. Goins said their job it to help people stay in their homes. Occasionally someone will ask to be moved to a facility. “I have had people say all of their friends are there, so they want to go, too,” Branscum smiled. “A nursing home is a last resort for anything, but some don’t realize that is not what we are trying to do. We protect them at any cost.”
They sometimes do other tasks. “We pick up medicines, shop and go into public,” Johnson said. “That’s one of our biggest stressors. We’re making sure nothing we take into their house could hurt them. Our goal is to protect these vulnerable citizens. I am a hugger so it is hard not to hug them.”
Goins said DSS also has in-home aides who help 20 older adults with other services. “They spend four hours doing cleaning and basic household chores,” he said. “Sometimes they dust, vacuum or do dishes, but some seniors just want someone to talk to them.” There is no cost, but there is a waiting list.
Johnson shared a reminder to the community. “We rely heavily on community support to look out for each other during this time,” she said. “Meals on Wheels has taken it to the next level and the Senior Center has stepped it up, too. We all want to stick together, but we’re inundating our community resources. A lot of the volunteers are elderly and they’re risking a lot to help others.”
Goins agreed. “Our informal resources are done really well. Our true resources are the people who will jump in and help.”
Johnson encouraged those who want to help to engage with an already established community group. “Churches and others who want to help, these folks really need some help with yard work,” she said. “They like being in their home, and are proud of their yards, but they can’t do it anymore. Start a community resource of your own. Use your lawnmowers.”
Jim Branscum is retired military who has been in social work for 15 years. “I love what I do. They’re family,” he said. “It can just be about being able to listen to someone. I don’t mind if they need a hug, I’ll give them a hug. At the end of the day, if we put a smile on their face or they say thank you, it feels good to build a relationship. Sometimes they call us to check on us.”
Lisa Johnson loves her job, too. “I have worked with every population. I have seen babies born and people pass away. The older population touches my heart the most. This is my dream job in social work. They’re family,” she said, misty-eyed. “I get a lot of ‘I love yous.’ They’re so sweet.”
To make a report or learn more about helping, call 828-389-6301.