What is National Social Work Month?

The official theme for Social Work Month in March 2015 is "Social Work Paves the Way for Change.” Celebrated each March, National Professional Social Work Month is an opportunity for social workers across the country to turn the spotlight on the profession and highlight the important contributions they make to society. Social workers—more than any other profession—recognize that more must be done to address persistent social problems such as poverty, lack of education and health care access, and discrimination based on gender, race, sexuality, or income. And they know that all people, no matter their circumstance, at some time in their lives may need the expertise of a skilled social worker.

Appreciation is a wonderful thing: It makes what is excellent in others

belong to us as well.

Voltaire

Medi Hospice social workers work with clients acing life-limiting illness, dying, death, grief, and bereavement. Using their expertise in working with populations from varying cultures, ages, socioeconomic status, and nontraditional families, social workers help families across the life span in coping with trauma, suicide, and death, and must be prepared to assess such needs and intervene appropriately. Social workers are challenged to provide expertise and skill in direct services to clients and their families. The need for social workers trained and skilled in working with palliative and end of life care situations has increased, because of advancements medical technology, rising rates of chronic illness, increasing number of elderly people, and longer life spans.

Social workers are an integral part of the interdisciplinary team approach to hospice care.

They help our patients and families in a multitude of ways, including counseling, education, help with accessing community resources and grief support. In addition, they assist those in need of alternate residential settings, individuals experiencing financial crises, as well as those who require referrals to outside social service agencies. During the Social Worker's visit, he or she will assess the needs of the patient and family and focus on maximizing their quality of life.

Some of the issues a Medi Hospice Social Worker might assist with include:

· Education on Hospice Philosophy and the Dying Process

· The need for a caregiver and/or respite service

· Processing emotions surrounding news of a terminal diagnosis

· Support for an overwhelmed caretaker

· Anticipatory grief for those experiencing the loss of a loved one.

· Conflict resolution among the patient's support system.

· Assistance with insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid paperwork.

· Assistance with funeral planning.

· Assistance with advanced directives such as a Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care (DPOA-HC) or Do Not Resuscitate Order (DNR)

Medi Hospice believes that individuals and families are the true experts in their own care. Our Social Workers provide an objective ear during a difficult time and will advocate for each individual/family's definition of dignity and quality of life to ensure they receive care that is hand-tailored to fit their needs.

Not a social worker, but interested in hospice?

Become a volunteer!!

Volunteering in hospice is a choice that creates rewards for patients and families. The ultimate surprise is the growth a volunteer develops from learning more about themselves with every visit to their patient. You learn to communicate in ways that increase your own appreciation of life. Your views of daily situations take on a holistic perspective. Nothing will ever be the same in your personal or professional life if you are correctly trained as a hospice volunteer.