SociPaloSeetryvices A Social Worker’s Role and Rewards
Social workers support residents and their families through psychosocial assessments, care coordination, counseling and therapeutic work, crisis management and interventions, resource navigation, benefits application guidance, and discharge planning. Psychosocial assessments determine the resident’s mental, emotional, and social needs and help to understand the connection between these needs and their physical health. Social workers help the team and residents’ families develop an individualized, comprehensive, compassionate care plan. Interacting closely with the residents allows for relaying any concerning changes to the treatment team. Social workers facilitate meetings between providers to discuss residents’ treatments and health outcomes. They also advocate for the resident, wishes, connecting them and their families with resources to provide additional support. With counseling and therapeutic work, social workers help residents cope with the psychological, emotional, social, and financial challenges of aging. Residents can struggle with issues including depression, dementia, family conflicts over treatment decisions, traumatic experiences requiring immediate support, and mental and emotional disorders requiring appropriate treatment. Social workers must intervene to ensure safety and well-being by providing support and counseling to residents and families, managing difficult conversations, contacting relevant organizations or authorities, and developing short and long-term support plans. Social workers help residents, and their loved ones understand and apply for benefits and other financial assistance at the federal, state, and local levels. Social workers guide residents and families who may struggle to navigate health insurance benefits and social security. Social workers are critical in developing and coordinating a safe discharge plan for the resident from the day of admission, if appropriate. They assist with helping the resident and family adjust to the forthcoming change. Social workers ensure a continuum of care is maintained post-discharge and provide proper follow-up as indicated. Social workers in a skilled nursing facility help residents and their families during an emotionally, psychologically, and financially challenging time. Working in a facility helps provide the opportunity to connect deeply with those who are in need. Residents have life experiences and varied perspectives which they can share. Advocating for them when they need a voice can be gratifying and empowering. Social workers often form unique and rewarding connections. Developing long- term relationships allows social workers to learn and grow and make a difference in residents’ lives.
RESIDENT REFLECTIONS • SEMI-ANNUAL, ISSUE 1 • PAGE 8 Bergen New Bridge Medical Center • 230 East Ridgewood Avenue • Paramus, NJ 07652 • NewBridgeHealth.org
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