What is a Home Health Social Worker?
Social workers are trained to coordinate home healthcare. They’re experts in navigating the healthcare system and finding resources to optimize your at-home treatment.
They’re well-versed in the details of managing home healthcare, so you can focus on your wellness and quality of life.
What Does a Home Health Social Worker Do?
They provide you and your loved ones with emotional, mental and psychosocial support to ensure your needs are met. Social workers function as case managers to guide you through finding and scheduling home health services. They’re someone you can lean on to help you through the emotions that accompany living with chronic illness or recovering from injury or surgery.
Types of Social Services
Social workers offer a variety of services, including:
- Assessment and planning
- Community resource referrals
- Assistance with paperwork and insurance coverage
- Financial counseling
- Identifying preventative care to support independence
- Crisis planning and prevention
- Care advocacy
- Emotional and relationship counseling
What to Expect from Your Social Worker
You can meet with a social worker at home, if you’re in recovery, at a hospital or clinic. Your case manager reviews your preferences, health goals and routines and recommends appropriate skilled home healthcare.
After your assessment, your social worker contacts your physician, nurses, aides and other specialists to coordinate your care schedule. They visit periodically over the first few months of care to ensure you receive the support you need.
Benefits of Partnering with a Social Worker
Care Coordination
Social workers know the ins and outs of the healthcare system and excel at looking at the big picture. They maintain communication between your doctors and nurses to establish consistent care.
You’ll continue to meet with your social worker periodically so they can make necessary adjustments to your care plan. That might mean adding new services or cutting back on others you no longer require.
Access to Community Resources
There’s a wealth of community resources to enhance your treatment. It can be challenging to process all that information, especially if you’re recovering from an illness or injury or managing a chronic disease.
Social workers are knowledgeable about local services and programs, such as:
- Meal delivery
- Mental health support
- Transportation
- Social programs
Advocacy
A home health social worker is a part of your support system and advocates for your needs. If you have issues with the quality of your care, your social worker will elevate your concerns and ensure changes are made. They can also help you apply for Medicare or Medicaid to pay for services.
Social Services from Ohioans Home Healthcare and Hospice
Enjoy friendly, personalized care from social service professionals who are committed to creating successful clinical outcomes. Call 855-600-0806 to learn more about social services at Ohioans Home Healthcare and Hospice.
