Happy National Social Work Month from CP Home Care of Houston
Celebrating Those Who Advocate for Society ’ s Grandparents
Happy National Social Work Month from CP Home Care of Houston
By : Amber Bagwell CP Home Care
Our elders need caring for more than we think . They need someone to speak out for them at times , someone to advocate their needs , and someone to take the time to listen . All of that , and more , can be found in the most selfless people around – the social workers .
Trent Kim , a professional in the social services industry , says this …’ Advancing age in itself is not a problem . There is no illness called “ old age .” Yet , the need for social services to cater to the senior citizen population is increasing and is expected to grow over the next several years as baby boomers begin to age .’
Geriatric social workers ’ main priority is maintaining and enhancing the quality of life for their older adult clients . This may include developing an understanding of not only the physical complications of aging , but mental health , cultural barriers , and organizational challenges faced by the older adult .
Aging-savvy social workers serve as “ navigators ” through the complicated healthcare and social service systems . They help families by gathering information about the array of services available to them , coordinating care across various health systems , facilitating family support , and providing direct counseling services .
Here are just a few ways social workers help :
� Clinical interventions � Service interventions � Advocacy
If you , or a loved , are considering ( or already have ) home health services , many geriatric social workers work within the home health care setting . These types of social workers often coordinate discharge planning from hospital to home and conduct home visits to ensure the client is safe , healthy , and thriving in their environment . They may help assess when home care is or is not appropriate for the client , help locate in-home assistance services , transportation services , Meal on Wheels , and recommend in-home care tracking technology . Geriatric social workers are trained to recognize normal and abnormal aging patterns . They can suggest when an elderly client needs to see a doctor and can arrange for a visit . With the help of geriatric social workers , some older adults may be able to live in their own home when they would otherwise need nursing home care .
Contact your Local Agency on Aging ( AAA ), which provides linkage to community services and resources . You can find your local AAA here . Ask your family physician , hospital or home care agency to suggest a geriatric social worker they have worked with in the past . Senior centers , religious community members , friends , and family are additional sources to turn to for trusted recommendations .
Social workers can help you and your family navigate life ’ s ‘ what ifs ’… So shake their hand , give them a hug , and say thank you .
26 MOMENTUM / March 2017