Social Worker Testimonials

I love working for Age-Wise Solutions Inc. because in providing social work services in long-term care, I have the opportunity to work with a diversified caseload on a weekly basis. I’ve been able to support and offer coping strategies to various residents and families throughout the many changes that have come in their lives, specifically during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has been challenging yet very rewarding in this particular field. The experiences I’ve had and the people I’ve met through working with Age-Wise will continue to assist me and expand my skill-set in my professional life for years to come. Thanks!!

I retired after completing a twenty-five-year career as a Social Worker at the Children's Aid Society. I missed the contact with clients and staff so I started looking for a part-time job that would offer me the flexibility I wanted. I applied for a job at Age-Wise Solutions Inc to work in the Nursing Home system with the elderly. This has been an amazing job for me. My hours are tailored to my needs and I have been so supported by the staff at Age-Wise and the staff at the Nursing Home. On top of working for a wonderfully helpful organization I love the client population I am serving. I look forward to going to work every week and could not have applied for a better job.

Working as a Consulting Social Worker with Age-Wise is one of the most rewarding careers I've had because of the valuable work Social Workers contribute to the everchanging population in long-term care. Age-Wise provides its Social Workers with a supportive community to advance their professional knowledge as well as receive case specific support from other social workers and the Clinical Lead. The diverse client population provides endless opportunities to support vulnerable people in varying stages of life which keeps each work day interesting! Thank you,

After almost 20 years working for Children's Aid I decided to retire early but was not ready to quit working completely. Little did I realize that working for Age-Wise Solutions would become "my ideal." I had never worked in a long-term care home before. This job came with new challenges but also with such great rewards (even during these unprecedented times). I love to work with residents and their families to help ease their worries, their fears and their grief. This allows them to focus on enjoying life and its simplest pleasures. " Their joy becomes your joy!". It has been a truly wonderful experience!

Working in LTC has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my professional career. I feel so appreciated and respected each and every time I’m there. I’m making a difference in people’s lives and it’s wonderful.

Working with Age-Wise has been a truly amazing opportunity for me. The support from mentors and colleagues in the field sets Age-Wise apart from other companies. The onboarding process was integral to building the foundation of my practice. It was access to information and support that allowed me to take my social worker skills to the next level. Every day at my site is different and that makes it interesting and fun. I feel like I'm a part of a community both at my site and amongst my colleagues at Age-Wise. My skills are valued by my key contacts and I have been surprised at all the opportunities to be a part of positive change for the residents. For anyone looking to develop your skills and make a difference in the lives of older adults, this is the place!

Working with Age-Wise has been such a positive experience. The role offers flexibility and autonomy along with opportunity to meet monthly for case discussions with your peers. I can only speak highly of my time being employed by Age-Wise and would highly recommend anyone who wants to make meaningful change and have a healthy work/life balance.

Working as a social worker in long term care with residents, their families and their interdisciplinary team is a deeply rewarding experience. One is able to provide psychosocial assessment and counselling from the moment a person moves to long term care, throughout their life helping with a wide range of issues to improve their quality of life and assisting them at the end of life. Residents and families are very grateful for the psychosocial support they receive and the long term care team appreciates the role of social worker. Age-Wise Solutions provides support to the social worker as needed. If you wish to make a difference in the lives of the people living in long term care this position may be for you.

I have been a Registered Social Worker with Age-Wise since 2007, having worked in four Long Term Care Facilities over those years. As I am now in my retirement years, I am no longer employed in the practice. I absolutely loved the practice of social work with elders. When I began with Age-Wise, there were mostly elderly women in Long Term Care. Over the years, the population has become more diverse.
What I loved most about the work was that I was able to use all of my social worker skills daily and I was able to build long term relationships with clients. I became familiar with each of the client's family, and some of their close friends. I was able to help families deal with the huge adjustment of "putting" their loved one into Long Term Care (LTC). Many of my clients were able to unpack their feelings of giving up a home they loved so much. What was really interesting is that when elders were able to look at their lives, they could tell you such great stories of strength and overcoming adversity. Many people often told me that they were “ok” in their current situation as they did not want to "burden" their families when they knew they needed more care than family could provide.
Social work in LTC is very challenging at times. There are many issues to deal with, just as in all walks of life. I had the opportunity to deal with issues of loss and grief, finances, loneliness, and joy in many ways. There is so much "life" in our elders. Having a chance to hear stories of early years, to laugh with families, to deal with the daily challenges of life in a community setting, are only some of the benefits for a Social Worker. My day was always filled with work to do. In a few of the homes, I had opportunity to do some group work, mutual aid, and, for the residents, a "reading" circle.
Social work always gave me great joy. Don't get me wrong, some days were tough. It is always hard when you lose someone that you established a relationship with, and loss of elders is an ongoing situation. I had many challenges and was always able to approach other workers for input and discussion. I was the first social worker for some of the homes in which I worked, which was an adjustment for staff. At first, they did not see the benefit of my role. As time went on, the Personal Support Workers would approach me to make a referral. They would say something like "Mary just isn't herself this morning, can you please go and talk with her." The residents would talk with me and say that because of the role of confidentially, they knew their conversations were safe. I was always clear that if there was an issue which had to be dealt with outside of the resident and myself, they knew it would be dealt with appropriately.
I found my time in Long Term Care as a clinical social worker to be very worthwhile, fulfilling and, many times, just plain fun. There is a plenty of laughter in people's lives along with the sorrow.