How #WeAnswerTheCall
A Day in the Life of Shira H., Holocaust Survivor Services Case Manager
At Circle of Care, we hire Registered Nurses (RNs) and Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) into different roles that support the older adults community. Our nurses are either Client Services Supervisors (CSSs), Holocaust Case Managers, or are in another management role.
We’re highlighting the various roles nurses have within the healthcare system by sharing what Circle of Care nurses do in their roles each day. Here is Shira’s day in the life as a Holocaust Survivor Services Case Manager.
As a Holocaust Survivor Services Case Manager, I have no ‘typical day’ as it varies depending on the tasks each day. But, my days often include visiting clients in their homes, assessing their needs and assessing the home environment to check for any safety concerns. This is an important part of my job, as client safety is our number one priority. I look for health and safety concerns such as spoiled food in the fridge, insects within the home, cluttered spaces, or anything else to indicate a safety risk.
After assessing the client in their home, I create and fill out assessment documents. These documents outline a client’s needs and highlight any concerns to help us move forward. This also assists us with identifying how to help the client, and can include making community referrals to Home Community Care Support Services (HCCSS) for PSW support, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, or needed nursing services; or to Jewish Family and Child Services (JF &CS), Bikur Cholim, or the Kehilla Residential Programme.
For example, I have a client with a history of dementia, who had a tendency to wander and was considered a high falls risk. To ensure the safety of the client, I connected the client with a community resource – free of charge – that included GPS tracking and falls detection. This ensured the family was at peace of mind, knowing that their loved one was safe.
Shira H., Holocaust Survivor Services Case Manager.
Not only will we assist clients to fill out the application for our Holocaust Support Services Program, but we will also be there for the client and emotionally support them throughout the process. Throughout my day I also follow-up with phone calls to clients and respond to their inquiries, while trying to help them as much as I can.
There are situations where I also provide quick support based off of things that happen unexpectedly. In one such situation, I needed to advocate on behalf of another client of mine with dementia. Their spouse, the primary caregiver, was suddenly hospitalized, and the client could not be left alone. The client experienced a lot of confusion throughout the day, and as the client’s daughter was working full-time, she was not able to step in to provide care. I advocated on behalf of the client and his family to the LHIN Care Coordinator and was able to extend his short stay respite twice until his spouse was able to safely return home. As a result, this alleviated the daughter’s worries and kept this client safe.
While supporting my clients is a huge factor in my daily work life, I also attend scheduled meetings for any departmental updates, and try to help my team as well. I feel it is a privilege and an honour to be serving this specific population who have such rich life experience with so much to share and so many lessons to be learned. It is important for their stories and legacy to be passed on to generations to come.
