Emily Lamunu remembers one moment in Muhanga District that shaped her approach to social work in Rwanda. An older woman, sitting alone in a modest home, quietly recounted the losses she had endured—family members taken during the genocide, years of displacement, and the slow erosion of community ties.

For Lamunu, a Ugandan-born social work researcher and global health practitioner, the encounter was a vivid reminder that health is more than medicine.

ALSO READ: Rwanda’s first PhD radiologist on innovation, policy and medical imaging

"Doctors are often well-prepared clinically,” Lamunu explains, "but they may not have the social work or interviewing skills to deeply understand patients’ social and emotional contexts. Teaching medical students how to listen empathetically, assess psychosocial factors, and build trust can dramatically improve patient outcomes.”

ALSO READ: Prepayment model promises a win-win for patients and health facilities

Lamunu played a key role in strengthening health systems across Western Uganda, supporting more than 880 health facilities to improve service delivery and community-level health outcomes.

Her work centred on integrating a social work perspective into public health and clinical systems, emphasizing the importance of understanding patients’ lived experiences, emotional well-being, and social contexts alongside their clinical needs.

This approach has been especially critical for older adults in the region, many of whom face challenges related to displacement, trauma, chronic illness, and social isolation.

ALSO READ: Equity for all: Championing disability inclusion in healthcare

Currently, Lamunu works as an Adult Community Clinical Services (ACCS) Clinician supporting adults in the Boston area who are living with mental health challenges and have histories of homelessness.

In this role, she provides trauma-informed care, case management, and community-based clinical support, helping individuals stabilize, build resilience, and navigate complex health and social service systems.

The skills and perspectives she continues to develop in Boston directly inform her work in Rwanda, particularly in supporting communities impacted by trauma, displacement, and age-related challenges.

In Rwanda, Lamunu led training programs for social workers, clergy, and community health professionals in Muhanga, with a focus on mental health, ageing, and post-genocide trauma recovery.

Her cross-context experience enables her to integrate clinical practice with community-based healing approaches, strengthening psychosocial support systems in both settings.

These sessions equip practitioners with the skills to recognize signs of depression, anxiety, and social disengagement, and to respond with appropriate support.

"Older adults in Muhanga carry incredible resilience,” Lamunu says. "But they also face deep loneliness and trauma. Training local professionals to support them holistically is not just social work—it’s community healing.”

Gaps in ageing care

Globally, ageing populations are growing, and social work is evolving to meet new demands. Lamunu notes that social workers now play central roles in coordinating care across sectors, advocating for age-inclusive policies, and integrating mental health into services for older adults.

In low- and middle-income countries, where formal social protection systems are limited, social workers also serve as capacity builders—training community health workers and local leaders to address aging-related challenges.

Despite these advancements, gaps remain. Many low-resource settings lack mental health services for older adults, sufficient community-based programs, and trained geriatric social workers. Families often bear the brunt of caregiving, with little formal support.

Structural issues such as limited funding, weak referral pathways, and fragmented health and social welfare systems further compromise care, particularly in rural communities where transportation, trained personnel, and age-friendly facilities are scarce.

Community-based approaches

Lamunu highlights the effectiveness of community-based models. Programs that integrate social workers, community health workers, and older adult peer leaders have shown significant impact. Home-based care and outreach ensure continuity for older adults with mobility or health challenges.

Support groups led by community social workers address mental health, grief, and social isolation. Intergenerational programs connect youth and elders, fostering mutual support and reducing loneliness.

Community-based rehabilitation programs link health services, livelihoods, and social reintegration. "Community approaches work because they build on trust and local relationships,” she says. "Older adults respond best when support is embedded in their familiar environments.”

Social workers also play a critical role in supporting caregivers. Many family members experience burnout or emotional strain while providing long-term care. Lamunu explains that practical skills training, psychoeducation, home-based check-ins, and peer support can relieve this pressure.

Social workers may advocate for respite services, guide families through benefits and entitlements, and coordinate networks so that caregiving is shared rather than isolating.

"Caregiving should not be a burden carried alone,” Lamunu emphasizes. "Empowering families with knowledge and emotional support is essential for sustaining ageing care.”

Policy and investment priorities

Policy, Lamunu says, is equally vital. She praises Rwanda’s approach, including the National Older Persons Policy and community-based health insurance programs that provide coverage for older adults.

Many African countries still lack protections specific to older populations, leaving them vulnerable to neglect or exploitation. Lamunu calls for investments in universal social protection—such as non-contributory pensions, disability benefits, and age-friendly health insurance.

Policies should also integrate mental health into primary care, strengthen long-term care systems, and fund caregiver support. Transportation assistance and development of age-friendly communities are particularly crucial in low-resource settings.

Looking ahead, she emphasizes that future social workers must be prepared for complex ageing systems. They should focus on gerontology—the study of ageing—mental health assessment, trauma-informed care, chronic disease management, and community-entered approaches.

Interdisciplinary collaboration, cultural responsiveness, and skills in data analysis, program evaluation, and policy advocacy will become increasingly important.

"Social workers are not just service providers,” Lamunu says. "They are system-builders, innovators, and advocates for dignity and independence among older adults.”

For Lamunu, every workshop, every classroom session, and every home visit is a reminder that listening, empathy, and connection are as vital to health as medicine itself. In her view, advancing social work and ageing care is not only a professional mission—it is a commitment to community, dignity, and the human spirit.