Supporting relationships between caregivers, care workers, and older people: A case study of the Sportello at the Centro di Solidarietà in Reggio Emilia
Giulia Notari
In Italy, the primary caregivers for the older and/or disabled people are the families, often aided by foreign care workers. To support this kind of caregiving activities, some Regions and Local Authorities have introduced sportelli, services aimed at regulating the private care market. This study examines these services, focusing on the methods professionals use to strengthen relationships between caregivers, care workers, and the people in need of their assistance. The research employs a qualitative case study of the Sportello managed by the Centro di Solidarietà in Reggio Emilia (Italy). Observations were conducted on the daily activities of the professionals, particularly their interactions with caregivers and care workers. Additionally, 24 interviews were conducted with the professionals and a sample of caregivers and care workers. A thematic analysis was performed on the collected field notes and interview data. Intervention methods by the professionals were analysed through the lens of the Relational Social Work Paradigm (RSW), offering insights into how relationships are managed and improved. The findings provide recommendations to enhance the Sportello and similar services, while also proposing measures to improve the quality of care work.
Keywords
Care work, Caregivers, Case study, Relational Social Work.
