THE ROLE OF SOCIAL WORKERS
THE ROLE OF SOCIAL WORKERS
In order to successfully assess and treat people struggling with PSP, MSA or CBD, social workers need to understand the symptoms, progression and challenges these diseases pose. Social workers’ understanding of their clients’ biopsychosocial needs enable them to play a key role ensuring that patients and their families receive the best care, empathy and guidance these chronic, progressive neurodegenerative diseases require.
Social workers can build ongoing, long-term relationships with their clients as well as provide valuable services to patients and families around specific needs or at periodic intervals, as particular challenges and changes develop.
PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT Sadness and depression are intrinsic biochemical responses to these diseases, normal responses to the losses both patients and their families face. In addition, fear, uncertainty and frustration are normal reactions to living with a neurodegenerative disease. It is important for social workers to help patients and family members to:
• Express emotions such as sadness, anger, worry and frustration
• Build a support team with healthcare providers, family, friends, volunteers and clergy
• Reach out to support groups, peer networks or one-on-one peer support in order to gain knowledge, information and resources; share feelings and experiences; receive understanding and encouragement
• Develop attitudes and habits of flexibility, persistence and adaptation
• Cultivate a focus not on cure, but rather on living the best life possible and creating new meaning
5
SOCIAL AND FAMILY CONNECTIONS Patients and families often feel, and actually are, alone and isolated. This is a result of the myriad of physical challenges( loss of balance and difficulty with mobility), emotional changes( loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities), self-consciousness( difficulty swallowing, slurred speech), and other difficulties brought on by PSP, MSA and CBD. The social worker will help patients and families to:
• Prioritize their needs
• Adapt their lifestyles to the changes incurred by living with someone with a progressive neurological disorder
• Cope with caregiver stress
• Build or maintain good communication about the impact of living with the disease throughout its progression
• Resolve conflict in the family around family members’ roles, ideas about care and degrees of acceptance of the disease
• Plan for the future, including understanding home care and housing, advance directives, insurance issues and other concrete needs
• Learn about and gain access to community resources, services and programs