The Social Worker’s Role in Achieving Individualized Home Health Care
By Megan Adams, LMSW, First Texas Home Health, Texoma and Denton LIVING WELL Magazine
One of the beneficial aspects of providing healthcare in the home is the opportunity for providers to get to know the patient as an individual. Therapists, nurses, and social workers work with patients based on environmental factors that make their situation unique. This also happens to be the very thing that makes home health more challenging. When evaluating a person’s personal environment there are factors to consider.
From a social work perspective, the psychological, social, emotional, spiritual, and financial aspects of a person’s life all play an important role in the patient’s ability to participate in the plan of care and be successful in their rehabilitation. For example, a heat wave for the record books––such as the one this year––can lead to many issues for the elderly and disabled. Unfortunately, many people who make up the home health patient population also are reliant on a strict, fixed income. Therefore, unexpected expenses can throw a kink in their chain. This could lead to many issues: less money for prescriptions or necessary appointments, unbearable heat as a result of a dysfunctional air conditioning system, not to mention the anxiety and stress that finances can bring an individual. There are many problem-solving options in a situation such as this. Although emergency utilities assistance may not be available for the person in question, there are many creative ways that a social worker could help a person or family in a similar circumstance. Empowering the patient by equipping them with problem solving skills and educating them on community resources can turn their situation around quickly.
There are many other circumstances that lead to increased stress for the elderly, disabled, and families involved. Planning and funding for the appropriate level of care that will allow the patient to remain in their own home can be difficult. Overcoming grief and depression that can result from the loss of a loved one or the loss of an individual’s independence can dramatically affect a patient’s ability to participate in their own care. Determining the most appropriate agencies to turn to for long-term care is overwhelming for individuals and families. Even simplistic but important tasks, like choosing a new Medicare Prescription Drug Plan or navigating the tangled web of Medicaid for the Elderly and Disabled, can be an unnecessary headache for people who should be focusing on enjoying their lives.
As a company, First Texas Home Health prides itself on its willingness to meet the patient where they are and find innovative ways to meet their individual needs. Adding a full-time, licensed social worker to the team at First Texas has been an evident benefit to the many people that First Texas serves. The benefit of the full-time social worker is their ability to follow up with patients and make certain that any referrals or efforts initiated to obtain services for patients results in action that leads to increased quality of life for that individual.
Some things a home health social worker may be able to do for you or a loved one include:
– Referrals for Meals on Wheels, transportation assistance, etc.
– Connection to resources for assistance with Rx, utilities, weatherization, food, etc.
– Long-term care planning: evaluating and obtaining level of care needed to keep you in your own home.
– Referrals to skilled nursing facilities or assisted living facilities: should you or your family want to pursue this aspect of long-term care, a social worker can help you navigate funding and facility options.
– Education and assistance with advance directives (including medical power of attorney, directive to physicians, family, and/or surrogates, out of hospital DNR)
– Facilitating family meetings to get everyone on the same page about your or a loved one’s needs.
– Assistance navigating benefits from Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and the VA.
– Short-term therapy for grief, depression, anxiety, etc., and referrals for more permanent treatment options when necessary.
– Help you get involved in your community through socialization or volunteer opportunities.
This only begins to list the ways that a social worker can help you or your family member. Again, it is no surprise that being able to offer this service to all of their patients sets First Texas Home Health apart from other agencies. Each person is a unique individual with specific and different needs and should be treated as such, bringing the expertise of social work into the realm of home health helps to achieve individualized care.
Megan Adams, LMSW serves as the director of social work for First Texas Home Health. First Texas services 12 North Texas counties. Megan is willing and excited to help you increase your quality of life. If you have any questions about something mentioned in this article, send her an email at madams@first-texas.com. You may also visit www.first-texas.com.
