Posted on 05/04/2018 6:09:05 AM PDT by June2
Just had a family member enrolled into hospice. So far everyone and everything has been great. Today we’re being visited by a social worker. Why are they needed and what questions should I have for them?
My experience with Hospice workers is that they are uniformly great at what they do.
I admire them. I think you have to have a special outlook to do that for work, and I have found that they seem “made” for it.
Good Luck in this difficult time.
My understanding of the hospital based/medical social worker (they call them “Case Managers” is that they serve to make sure all the encompassing needs of the patient are met, and can be a great boon to you. My wife worked as one, and she was great at her job. A good, knowledgeable and dedicated one will go the extra yard to get you services that are needed.
Don’t get these hospital based case managers/social workers mixed up with the same kind who work with welfare recipients. Two different types, if I read your situation correctly.
Without directly answering your question, you are 99% likely to be in very, very good hands, in the best place you could possibly be. In terms of both knowing that your elder is in very good care and that you yourself can relax and de-obssess with the “getting better/getting worse” dichotomy. They are there to ease the patient into their condition, surroundings, and destination and it’s an enhanced form of all those because in many cases the prior treatment was more akin to warehousing.
Because they have done this 500 if not 1000 times and you, likely, have done it zero times.
Often they are there for the family members. To help you through the death of a loved one. And to offer a bit of respite to the care givers if necessary.
First of all, my sympathies are with your family as you have reached this stage of life with your family member.
The social workers can help prepare your patient in saying good-bye, preparing for the losses which they and you will shortly endure, I.e. The loss of self and concerns, preparation for funeral arrangements and especially, for all of you, in being aware of the stages of grief.
Find out from them what services they offer and to whom. That will help you all to have more realistic expectations of the hospice service.
We had one show up for my mother. He was fine, really. A Hindu man, very kind, who suggested that we pray to the Rosary for her. So, don’t get too stressed out over it. I suspect there are good and bad out there.
In my experience hospice care is generally A-One. Social workers worth their salt will provide all necessary aide you and the patient/family member need.
Prayers for you and your loved ones.
That’s interesting you say that the social worker suggested you pray the rosary.
In my experience with hospice for my parents, a chaplain dealt with the religious aspects. The social worker helped with all the paperwork and supported the family with any needs they had including mental health counseling during the grief process.
Our social worker here at the chemotherapy infusion clinic is an exceptional resource for patients and families navigating this hardship. As posted above, don’t get them confused with welfare state drones. They’re not.
I just went through this with my mom. They sort of coordinate everything and see that your needs are met.
In our case, the social worker went out of her way to drive to the pharmacy herself for a pain med that was urgently needed.
Well, we got in a conversation with him that ranged far and wide. As a Hindu, I believe he understood the power of ritual, which is why he suggested it. Good man!
A significant distinction...and thank you for adding that.
You can tell, I generally think the world of Hospice and good case managers/hospital social workers.
A good hospice worker knows how to “take you out”. That’s what I want.
I kind of liked hearing that anecdote. Patient focused...
Case management. They are your interface to insurance companies, doctors, and other healthcare workers. They know the magic words to get what you need. Nurse case managers work too, but many hospices use an LCSW.
We were lucky; my mom was with Polish nuns at the end who were wonderfully kind and well-trained.
What does “take you out” mean? If it is what I think it is, that’s the exact opposite of what is needed. Pain medication is what is needed.
That’s usually what is used to do it.
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