Hospice Care of the LowCountry

March is National Social Work Month

 

Social workers play a broad role in society and can fill a variety of positions. Due to this, there has long been confusion regarding the role of a social worker. Countless times I have called a patient family member to introduce myself as the social worker to be met with confusion. This encouraged me to begin working toward getting as much information out as possible, and what better time than National Social Work Month?

When people ask what we do as hospice social workers my quick and easy response is usually “If you are not sure who on the team does something, it is probably the social worker”. Trying to outline specifics is more difficult because no two days are the same. However, some things are always at the forefront of every day and every decision. For example, we always advocate for our patients, we always take an individualized approach, and we never take for granted being a part of one of the most vulnerable times in a person’s life.

In this blog, I will highlight 5 roles and responsibilities of a hospice social worker.

1. Emotional Support

In hospice, social workers provide emotional support to our patients and their family members daily. It is a difficult decision to admit yourself or your loved one to hospice service and social workers are trained and equipped to have difficult conversations. We will look at every situation through a strengths-based lens and want to encourage healthy communication within the family.

2. Resource Management

As social workers, we are experts in knowing what resources are available to our patients and their families. For some families this is assistance with family medical leave paperwork, getting signed up for Meals on Wheels, or navigating health insurance claims.

3. Advanced Care Planning

Social workers assist patients and their families with making decisions about end-of-life care preferences, including advance directives, and living wills. As social workers, we often facilitate conversations with families about funeral/service preferences.

4. Practical Assistance

The vast majority of what our social workers assist with falls under what I would refer to as practical assistance. This includes things like assisting with signing up for home health and finding an agency that fits the needs of our patients. Coordinating transportation, respite stays, and other needs as they arise.

5. Grief Support

Social workers provide grief support both before and after the death of a loved one helping people cope with their loss and adjust to life without their person. This can look so many ways – through support groups, individual counseling, or sometimes just being a listening ear.

Every Patient and Every Family is Unique

Social workers are some of the most compassionate and empathetic people I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with throughout my career. They are key members of the interdisciplinary hospice team, they play a vital role in supporting patients and patient family members through the end-of-life process.

End of life is a precious and critical time of life. Social workers help our patients and their families focus on what matters most.

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