Does your loved one need a medical social
worker? Hospitals provide social work services to elderly patients who have post-stay
needs. If you're not sure whether your parent or relative requires social work
services, take a look at the benefits of working with one of these healthcare
professionals.
Needs Assessment
What does your loved one need in terms of
after-care when they leave the hospital? A medical social worker will screen an
elderly patient, evaluate their present condition/diagnosis, and assess their
future needs. Their needs may include anything from help around the house with
everyday activities to dementia care.
Even though you may think you know what
your elderly parent or loved one needs, a medical social worker has the
expert-level knowledge and experience to truly understand the challenges that
come with returning home. Their ability to proactively plan for your loved
one's return and anticipate their care needs are benefits caregivers/family
members should take advantage of.
Patient and Family Education
The medical terms doctors use aren't
exactly family- or patient-friendly. While you may understand the basics of
your loved one's medical condition, healthcare jargon can confuse anyone
without a medical degree.
Medical social workers often serve as a
bridge between other hospital staff and the patients or families. They can
demystify and explain the patient's condition and healthcare needs in a more
accessible way.
Beyond the ability to translate medical
terminology into easy-to-understand terms, the social worker can also provide
patients and their families with educational materials and other resources. This
helps everyone involved better understand what a return home truly means and
what aftercare will involve.
Community Resource Advice
Along with disease or condition management
and patient healthcare education, a medical social worker can also provide caregivers
with information on community and other related resources. These may include
entitlement benefits (such as ways to pay for therapies or medical needs), meal
home delivery services, or other services communities and care organizations
offer.
Expert advice on which community services
to use following a hospital stay can streamline the post-care transition. A
social worker can eliminate the guesswork that's often involved in this process
and make it easier for patients and families to connect with the help they
need.
Home Healthcare Help
Will your loved one need home healthcare to
live independently? If the hospital's medical and social work doesn't think
skilled nursing care or rehab is necessary, your loved one is free to return
home. But they may still need assistance with activities of daily life
(feeding, bathing, shopping, and other similar tasks), mobility, or memory
care.
The hospital-to-home transition comes with
a set of challenges a social worker will understand. If you aren't sure how to
help or get help for your loved one, a professional can take charge. This
leaves you free to spend time with your parent/relative, get back to work, or
resume your regular daily activities.
Not only will you get a break from
caregiving, but a social worker can also help you to select the right home
healthcare staff for your loved one's needs. Whether your parent/relative
requires 24-7 nursing care, a daytime companion, physical therapy, or another
type of assistance, a social worker can connect you with professional help.
A social worker can also coordinate care
and communicate with homecare workers. This is an important step in the
post-hospital care process-especially if you're not sure what or how much care
your loved one needs.
Does your elderly parent or relative need
home healthcare after a hospital stay? Contact us or have a medical social
worker call us at A Visiting
Redi Nurse for more information.
