FEATURE STORY (continued) — November/December 2004

Seeing ...

A case worker talks about making a difference in people's lives and his own concerns about aging

Chris Garnaat, 30, has worked with UIC's Central West Case Management Unit since 1999, and plans to pursue a master's degree at the Jane Addams College of Social Work. He serves the West Side zip code areas of 60605, 60607, 60616 and part of 60610.

How did you become interested in social work?
I just fell into it. I've always been interested in social sciences, and I've always liked to work with people. I figured it was something I could do, and I guess I was right because I'm still here.

In college, I worked with the developmentally disabled, providing direct care. Having that job helped me gain insight into what caregivers actually do and what's realistic to expect of them. I have an idea of how long certain tasks will take, which makes it easier to create an appropriate plan of care.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
When you see a marked difference in the quality of a person's life. You go to see someone who's in really bad shape or has just come out of the hospital. You get the services that he or she needs in place; then you do your follow-up and see that the person is doing better, that his or her quality of life has improved. That makes it exciting.

What's the advantage of keeping older adults with disabilities at home?
Usually, they're more comfortable, happier, and—not to sound like a politician—it's cheaper. Skilled nursing facilities are expensive to run and operate, especially for people who don't really need that much care. It makes fiscal sense and, ultimately, it makes the people it's affecting feel better, too. Everyone wins.

Does working at UIC help you with your job?
Although there seems to be a significant amount of turnover in the field, we don't experience it because of the educational opportunities available at UIC. Higher education is expensive, so it's a big perk. It helps keep people around longer. It's something that other places don't offer, and being at a university helps us keep abreast of new theories and technologies.

How do you envision your old age?
I wonder about that sometimes, but I wonder more about what my parents' old age will be like. They're still quite young. They're in their 50s, but I can't help looking at the house they live in and noticing things such as not having a bathroom on the main floor. Who's going to shovel their driveway for them? How will I care for my parents if something happens to them? Am I going to have them in a program like this? A nursing home? Supportive living? But realistically speaking, it's up to them. It's their life. A lot of it has to do with what they want. At least this generation has a lot more options, and I assume the next one will have even more.