The Role of a Social Worker in Home Care

Social workers play an important role in home care. They evaluate the emotional, mental and psychosocial needs of skilled home health, behavioral health and in home hospice patients, and they provide support and guidance to meet those needs appropriately.

Social work services include, but are not limited to:

• Helping patients navigate the healthcare system, including assistance with insurance paperwork, making decisions and goals for care, long-term care planning and completing advance directives
• Connecting patients with community resources, such as meals on wheels, financial assistance, veterans’ resources and mental health support
• Providing emotional and relationship counseling to patients and families
• Assessing and treating mental health and substance use disorders, in addition to creating plans for crisis prevention and intervention
• Advocating for patients to ensure their care wishes and preferences are honored
• Identifying areas of need, such as medication management or a home safety assessment, to help patients remain independent and safe at home

Patients and families can greatly benefit from the added support of a social worker. To learn more about the social work services Elara Caring provides to skilled home health, behavioral health and hospice patients, email info@elara.com or visit our home care locations connect with the branch nearest you.