The Municipal Social Assistance Center in Zabludow is one of the support network partners in the new model of care.
After a year of cooperation, it can be seen that it is a leader in organizing the assistance it offers to its residents using available support programs. According to the Head of MOPS Zabludow Mr. Piotr Torbicz, “all it takes is a little initiative and not being afraid of challenges, sometimes it is enough to write a project application to be able to carry out its tasks related to senior policy. Working with the elderly and dependent people is difficult, but gives great satisfaction. Often the smile of an elderly, ailing person who has been helped is the greatest expression of gratitude, which motivates the caregiver to do his job with dedication.”
He speaks with great satisfaction about his work and the commitment of the entire team without which, he says, it would not have been possible to accomplish so much. To my question : why are they doing this, what have they done so far and what are their plans for the future, he answers:
“The main idea of the daily work of our Social Welfare Center is the statutory duty to help people in need, i.e. to identify and meet the essential needs of people and families who are unable to overcome the difficulties of life by their own efforts, and to enable them to live in conditions corresponding to human dignity, trying to provide them with professional assistance. For the implementation of care services in the municipality of Zabludow uses the professional support of 5-6 caregivers, who provide assistance in more than 20 families.
We are active in programs related to the implementation of senior citizen policy conducted for the benefit of the elderly, lonely, disabled and chronically ill. The goal of the senior policy is to support and provide opportunities for active healthy aging and to improve the quality and standard of life of the elderly.
We have recently joined the following programs:
- a government program called “Support Seniors,” the strategic objective of which is to provide support services to elderly and single people over 65 years of age. The program is part of the state’s social policy to support activities for seniors who are dependent on their age and health. Among other things, the seniors receive assistance in the following areas: providing shopping, medicines, dealing with minor official matters and providing hot meals.
- the purpose of the “Personal Assistant for the Disabled” program is to introduce the assistant service as a form of support for people with disabilities and to reduce the effects of their disabilities by helping them become socially active. We have 4 assistants for a disabled person and currently 10 people from our municipality are receiving such care.
- the “Care 75+” program is to improve access to care services and specialized care services to single, elderly people over 75 years of age.
- respite care is a program designed to relieve the burden on family members or caregivers of people with disabilities by supporting them in their daily duties or providing temporary replacements. The respite care service is provided by two MOPS workers at the place of residence of the disabled person. We have approved applications for 5 families and have already provided such care to 2 families. I would like to add here that in some families we also meet caregivers from the Project Elijah Hospice Foundation home hospice and then this assistance is even more supportive.
I would like to emphasize that the pillar in the implementation of many tasks is the company “Custos Andrzej Porowski”, which has the means of transport, qualified staff with experience which greatly improves our work.
We should also emphasize the commitment of our residents, who help as needed, whether by offering some equipment to a person in need or their own transportation. Sometimes we benefit from the help of various institutions, recently the Cooperative Bank donated office furniture for one of our wards. This is an invaluable support from the society of Zabludow municipality
We also have a lot of help from the Polish Red Cross organization, thanks to which we have opened a rehabilitation equipment rental shop for community residents in the form of: 4 wheelchairs, 4 balconies, 4 sets of orthopedic crutches and a rehabilitation bed.
In all our activities we have the support of the Chairwoman of the Municipal Council Ms. Antonina Kuna and councilors. The Mayor of Zabludow and the city authorities, recognize the needs and appreciate our work.
From this place I would like to thank all those who help their neighbor, for their heart, dedication, selflessness and willingness to help. Every day I thank God that I have so many kind people around me, on whom I can count in carrying out the tasks of serving others.
Another activity we would like to implement in the near future is to join the “Senior+” program , the purpose of which will be to increase active participation in the social life of seniors through the creation of structures of the “Senior+” Day Care Center or “Senior+” Club. , which will be included in the Strategy for Solving Social Problems of the Zabludow Municipality for 2023-2030+”.
Concluding our conversation, Mr. Piotr Torbicz, stressed that the assumptions of the innovative model of care “To give what is really needed”, also tested in the Zabludow municipality, were an inspiration for MOPS to take further action in obtaining funds from the aforementioned programs, for more and more professional care for the elderly, lonely, disabled and chronically ill.
“It was a stimulus to think ” if they can, why not us,” says the MOPS Manager. That’s why for another year we are working together as partners of the network, communicating to jointly bring help to the residents of the Zabludow Municipality, giving them the care they need on a daily basis.”