The Important Role of Social Work

Once again Social Work Month has come and gone. Did you remember to celebrate our profession? Let me take a moment to remind you how important the role of Social Work is in a long term care setting and to applaud you for the work you do daily in the lives of older people.

The paperwork in the field of Social Work, especially in the long-term care setting, is inevitable. I would be amiss if I failed to mention the care you show in writing social histories, progress notes, care-plans and documenting on the MDS. For the purposes of this article, my focus will not be on documentation skills, but on your involvement in the lives of residents, their families, and the interdisciplinary team that you serve alongside.

As the Social Worker, you promote dignity, respect, confidentiality and privacy to each resident. You are an advocate; a person they know will stand up for them and their rights. You are a caretaker, attending to the details of meeting their most basic needs. You provide a voice of kindness and offer compassion even in the most difficult of circumstances. You have become a trusted friend who they can share memories from their past and fears about their future. Never forget that you do make a difference in the lives of the resident's you serve.

Supporting family members from admission to discharge or death is also the role of a Social Worker. Each family presents with different dynamics. As a Social Worker, you become familiar with those closest to the resident and offer encouragement and guidance for their specific needs. You help the family members navigate the sometimes-rough waters of placing their loved one in a "home". You are well aware of the guilty feelings associated with care giving and know caregivers who forget to care for themselves. In telephone conversations, family support groups, and in informal meetings in hallways you listen as family members express their feelings. You offer hugs when there are no words to express your concern. Your role in the life of families is vital and you understand the importance of earning their trust and respect.

As the Social Worker, your support often extends beyond resident and family members to your colleagues. Your colleagues look to you to offer expertise in the area of emotional and behavioral interventions. They expect you to attend to clothing or adaptive equipment needs that allow your co-workers to complete their daily responsibilities with more ease. They rely on you to remind members of the team of the importance of resident rights and to always model dignity and respect. As you keep communication lines open and act as a liaison between the departments you create a better living environment for those you serve. Your place on the team is important as you constantly bring creative approaches to the attention of your co-workers.

So, if in the busyness of life Social Work Month came and went without recognition of you and the work you do, remember that we at SSWANH know how important your role is and that we appreciate you!

Tammy Whittaker, MSW