Elderly people and people with disabilities are among the most vulnerable population groups, especially in the context of an unfavorable epidemiological situation.
Elderly people and people with disabilities are among the most vulnerable population groups, especially in the context of an unfavorable epidemiological situation. To ensure that during the pandemic they are not exposed to risk, neither in residential institutions nor in self-isolation at home, and that they lack nothing, feeling care and support, the employees of the social protection system have made efforts, and their recognition took place in a solemn ceremony at the regional executive committee.
– The additional measures taken to prevent the spread of coronavirus infection among the elderly population and people with disabilities, especially in residential institutions, can be confidently said to have helped cope with this task today, – noted Andrey Lobovich, First Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the Republic of Belarus, while presenting awards to the heroes of the occasion.
– We did everything possible for our wards to preserve their lives and health and prevent the spread of coronavirus infection. A complete isolation regime was introduced in boarding schools, work teams switched to a shift method of work for two weeks, and some for 30 days. They were fully provided with personal protective equipment, all necessary safety measures and pneumonia prevention techniques were applied, internet technologies were actively used, and cooperation with VGMU received a new impetus. This yielded the main result – we prevented the spread of coronavirus infection in residential institutions, – summarised Vera Astapenko, Head of the Department of Social Support of the Population and Residential Institutions of the Committee for Labour, Employment and Social Protection of the Regional Executive Committee, who, incidentally, is also among the awardees – she was awarded a Certificate of Honour of the Regional Executive Committee.
The social protection system of the Vitebsk region includes 15 boarding schools, 21 24-hour care units, and 25 territorial social service centres.
For their work during the pandemic, the Director of the Glubokoye psycho-neurological boarding house for the elderly and disabled, Kleopatra Supranionok, the head of the Lunacharskoye psycho-neurological boarding house for the elderly and disabled, Olga Lyudskaya, and Elena Lautkina, who leads the team of the Bogushevskoye boarding house for children with disabilities with psychophysical development, received Letters of Appreciation from the Chairperson of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus.
One of the largest boarding houses in the region is Lunacharskoye (Verkhnedvinsk district). It is home to 430 people, many of whom are elderly and have disabilities. Since April, the staff has switched to a two-week work schedule. Earlier, a mask mandate was introduced, along with daily medical examinations, temperature checks, and other anti-epidemic measures. To prevent stagnation, physical exercises were increased from two to six times a day for all residents. This effort involved not only the physical therapy specialist but also the entire staff, from the director to the orderlies.
“The pandemic revealed the best qualities of the staff and residents. People united, understood the situation, and followed all recommendations. Throughout the entire period to date, even though we have now moved away from the shift method of work, mortality among our residents has decreased by 24% compared to last year, and there were no cases of pneumonia or ARVI,” noted Olga Lyudskaya, Director of the Lunacharskoye boarding house.
To assist the elderly and disabled individuals in home self-isolation, call centres established at each territorial centre for social services of the population undertook extensive work. They received over 8,000 requests, all of which were fulfilled in full, typically involving the delivery of food and medication. Public organisations, including the Red Cross and BRSM, assisted social workers.
Among those who came to the aid of the elderly every day was Almira Andreeva, a social worker at the Territorial Centre for Social Services of the Population in Shumilino district, who was awarded an Honorary Certificate of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Republic of Belarus. After maternity leave, the mother of many children returned to her profession precisely during the period of increased illness. The workload increased, as she had to help not only her regular clients but also other elderly residents of the district centre who were in self-isolation and had no one to go to the shop or pharmacy for them.
– At this time, one acutely realizes the significance and necessity of social services, understanding that one must work, despite everything, not give up, as people need your help, – this is the personal conclusion reached by Almira Andreeva.
Addressing the social service workers, the Deputy Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, Vladimir Penin, emphasized that the fight against the pandemic was successful only thanks to coordinated collective efforts. He also drew attention to the fact that even with the return of all institutions to normal operation, it is important to remember that the infection has not completely disappeared, therefore, it is crucial to take care of each other.