Social Workers Are a Vital Part of the Healthcare Team

The month of March has been designated nationally as Social Work Month and social workers throughout the nation are celebrating the month and educating the public about their profession. Black River Memorial Hospital (BRMH) recognizes the role medical social workers play in providing quality healthcare to patients and families and is fortunate to have professional social workers that bring a combined total of over 90 years experience.

BRMH’s Medical Surgical Social Workers are Patient and Family Services Manager Kathy Laudon, CSW, Judy Hansen, CSW, Denise Gearing, CSW, and Esther Hinshaw, CSW. Hospice and Homecare social workers are Dana Rave, CSW and Cindy Mickelson, MSW.  

Kathy Laudon explained that social workers on the Medical Surgical Unit work closely with physicians, nursing and rehabilitation staff to help coordinate a patient’s safe discharge from the hospital. “Many patients are older adults with chronic health problems and upon discharge their care needs may increase after being admitted to the hospital,” she said.   “Home supports such as Meals-On-Wheels, Lifeline,  TeleCare, Interfaith Volunteers, Home Health, and Supportive Home Care or Hospice may be set up to enable them to return home safely.”  

Because of age, medical condition, or lack of family resources and support many patients are apprehensive about leaving the hospital.  “For some patients, a short-term nursing home stay may be necessary,” said Laudon.  “Talking with a patient about a nursing home placement can be difficult because of the emotions involved.  There may be a sense of loss felt by the patient, even for an anticipated short-term stay in the nursing home, because they are leaving their own home and also because of financial considerations. It is critical to take time to listen and to allay a patient’s fears as much as possible.” 

Social workers help identify concerns of patients and their family members and assist them to mobilize resources.  “Many patients and families are unaware of community resources that are available to them,” said Laudon.  “Social workers help them determine what resources will best meet their needs and proceed with making the necessary arrangements.  We become their bridge to community resources.”

BRMH is one of the few small hospitals that has social work staff available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide support and resources. “Every situation is different making a social worker’s job interesting,” said Laudon. “As a hospital social worker we may be making a referral to a nursing home one minute and then go to the Emergency Department to support family and friends due to a medical emergency of a loved one.   We are also available to provide services and referrals when concerns such as abuse, neglect, guardianship, financial needs or domestic violence issues have been identified.” 

Medical social workers also provide community outreach.  “The public can come to BRMH to receive information and assistance in completing a Power of Attorney for Health Care document,” said Laudon. “We also offer a grief support group in the spring and fall and we get many calls for information relating to mental health concerns, medical equipment, and treatment programs for drug and alcohol abuse.  Social workers try and find resources to help meet many needs.”

Hospice and Homecare social workers are part of an interdisciplinary team, which includes physicians, nurses, home health aides, chaplains and volunteers.

“Hospice care is for any person who has a life-limiting or terminal illness,” explained Laudon.  “Hospice social workers focus on the psychological and social needs of patients and their families to resolve issues that may impact their ability to cope or function effectively. Being diagnosed with a terminal illness is difficult for both patients and their loved ones. Often people have not addressed financial planning, advance directives, funeral planning and other important issues. Hospice social workers assess needs, provide end-of-life education and provide resources and services relating to bereavement care and counseling.”

Homecare is a short-term service for any type of skilled need such as nursing, physical therapy or occupational therapy.  “The social worker provides discharge planning to assist in the transition from services to independence,” said Laudon.

Laudon said the social workers at BRMH have interesting, challenging and rewarding work.  “We are an integral part of the health care team to improve the quality of life for the patients we serve,” she said.