Feature
Social Workers Play Vital Role in Long
Term Care
Contributed by Clare L. Horn, former chair, LeadingAge New York, Directors of Social
Work, South Council
I
n 1984, the White House officially recognized National Professional Social Work
Month and it has been celebrated in the month of March ever since.
National Professional Social Work Month is an opportunity for social workers to turn
the spotlight on their profession and highlight the important contributions they make
to society.
In long term care, social workers make many contributions to the lives of residents and
their families, staff in their facilities, their organizations and the communities they live
in. Social workers play an important role in the fields of service delivery, education,
advocacy, community organizing and research.
Social workers pursue growth and social change with and on behalf of vulnerable and
oppressed individuals and groups of people (National Association of Social Workers
Code of Ethics). Those who serve the frail, vulnerable older person believe that they
have power and strength to learn, grow and better their lives, fulfill dreams and find
meaning in the light of age, illness and loss.
For an older person and family transitioning from home to a hospital and then a
sub acute rehabilitation program is an emotional and traumatic experience. An
older person’s decrease
in functional ability
Those who serve the frail, vulnerable older
often results in feelings
person believe that they have power and
of hopelessness and
depression. The change
strength to learn, grow and better their
in environment and in
lives, fulfill dreams and find meaning in
caregivers creates social and
emotional discomfort. Social
the light of age, illness and loss.
workers focus on the effect
these have on the individual and family. They listen, assess strengths and frailties,
develop a therapeutic relationship helping the individual and family recognize their
own strengths and resources and develop a realistic plan in preparing for the future.
And for those with no available family, support system and/or community resources
the social worker accesses available resources, and building on the individual’s
strengths develops the optimal plan of care.
As compassionate, dedicated professionals skilled in nourishing and building
strengths, social workers help older persons and their families meet challenges.
They do this by guiding them through today’s complex health care system, obtaining
resources to ensure a safe home and community environment, resolving family
problems so an older person can remain at home as long as possible and
accessing adequate and affordable housing in light of limited housing
and financial resources. They advocate with community groups to obtain
funding for needed services. Social workers make a distinctive difference
in the lives of these vulnerable individuals treating them with dignity,
respecting their self-determination and providing opportunities to learn
skills and use their own strengths.
(See Social Workers on page 42)
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Adviser a publication of LeadingAge New York | Spring 2017