COVID-19 and older adults in Africa: Social workers’ utilization of mass media in enforcing policy change

Abstract

Dominating headlines in the last few months, global attention has been fixed on the coronavirus pandemic given its rampaging impact on social events and human affairs. More than any other groups, older adults have been disproportionately affected by the deadly contagion. This situation poses legitimate concerns to the social work profession, whose mandate is to liberate vulnerable people and promote social development. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has continued to take a devastating toll on older adults in the short-term, its long-term consequences may be far more profound unless urgent attention is directed to mitigate this situation. Given the promulgation of social distancing and shutdowns among a number of African countries, many social workers have found it increasingly difficult to address the difficulties faced by older adults. This article canvasses for the utilization of the mass media in initiating policy response to the challenges of older adults throughout the continent.

Social Work during the COVID-19 Crisis: Responding to Urgent Social Needs

“…The author suggests the need for a more critical approach to understanding the processes resulting in elderly people unable to communicate. Omorogiuwa [33] addresses the COVID-19 situation and older adults in Africa, focusing the analysis on social workers using mass media to promote policy change. According to this study, social workers act as agents of change and can help empower older adults using the mass media.…”

Degrading a global COVID-19 contagion: Charting a holistic social work response

“…Psycho : Anxiety, depression, trauma, mental health complications and possibly suicide ( Barr et al, 2012 ; Chan et al, 2014 ). Social : Hunger pandemic ( United Nations [UN], 2020 ; Amadasun, 2020d ), human rights violations ( Agence France-Presse [AFP], 2020 ; Amadasun, 2020e ; Human Rights Watch [HRW], 2020 ; Khalid, 2020 ; Kunene, 2020 ; Sandhu, 2020 ; Siviwe, 2020 ), mass layoffs, under- and unemployment ( International Monetary Fund [IMF], 2020 ), loss of self-worth, anxiety, depression, trauma, mental health complications ( Omorogiuwa, 2016 , 2020 ), and likely suicide ( Barr et al, 2012 ; Chan et al., 2014 ).…”

“…This is paramount if we intend to prevent and stymie not just the dreaded contagion in itself, but also its rampaging impact on individuals, families, groups and communities. Using a diagrammatic approach, this essay sets to roll out holistic professional intervention with a view to degrading the after-effects of the coronavirus pandemic ( Omorogiuwa, 2020a ). Before highlighting these guidelines, it is germane to summarily appraise some empowering framework necessary for our intervention.…”

“…Given the biopsychosocial dimension of the COVID-19 pandemic, some theoretical scheme would be germane to aiding our efforts in downgrading the effect of the pandemic. Classic expositions find expression in strengths-based practice (anchored around building hope, resilience, optimism, relationship and resources – some of which are innate and many of which are in the natural environment; Saleebey, 2006 ), anti-oppressive practice (premised on challenging systemic exclusion, discrimination and marginalization of vulnerable groups; Amadasun and Omorogiuwa, 2020 ; Baines, 2011 ; Dominelli, 1996 , 2002 ), rights-based approach (based on challenging happenings of rights violations among vulnerable groups; Amadasun, 2020a ; Ife, 2008 ; Omorogiuwa, 2020a ), developmental practice (edged on advocating for investments in social protection programmes [e.g. old age benefits, for older adults] and socioeconomic infrastructures; Amadasun, 2020c ; Midgley, 1993 , 1995 , 2010 ; Omorogiuwa, 2016 , 2020b ), and indigenous practice (predicated on according value to indigenous knowledge and practice (e.g.…”

Importance of Social Workers in Multidisciplinary Frontline Environment During Pandemics

“…Thus, their role with people infected by COVID-19 and their families was not really highlighted in lots of countries. In some countries few social workers used social media to continue their advocacy role in the time of COVID-19 toward venerable groups especially (Omorogiuwa, 2020;Amadasun, 2020; International Federation of Social Workers [IFSW], 2020).…”