Oftentimes when we think of social workers, images of those who work to get children out of unsafe or less than ideal conditions may pop into our heads. But it isn’t only children that social workers assist. No, in fact, there are social workers who specialize in the field of the elderly population as well.
The field of geriatric social work has indeed grown right alongside the aging population. In a report by the Administration on Aging, those people 65 or older made up about 12.4% of the population in 2000, and that number is expected to rise to 19% by 2030. That accounts for a total of 72.1 million people.
Because of this, those whose calling is in elderly social work focus on helping those individuals and their families, and the communities too. A geriatric social worker isn’t what it might sound like at first. Instead, a geriatric social worker specializes in dealing with those people 65 or older, like we mentioned above. They also often have graduate-level education and field experience in the areas of geriatrics, gerontology, aging or social work with older people.
They work to take care of a number of issues that older adults and their families have to put up with, and also the many social and environmental changes that go along with getting older. Let’s take a look at what that includes right now:
They can help you get through the mountains of paperwork and confusion that come from health care or other social services. In particular, they can help with clinical interventions for someone who is lonely or who suffers from depression or anxiety. They also serve as a link between clients and the numerous programs—both public and private—that may be available to them. They are a source of advocacy, and can give clients an Advanced Directive form and show them how to complete it, and geriatric social workers are often a first line of defense against elder abuse.
Those families in a caregiving situation right now can be greatly helped by geriatric social workers too, since they offer direct assistance to families through things like family-support services, suggesting useful technologies, and coordinating medical care. They can also provide counseling services dealing with end-of-life issues, bereavement, or any other concerns that seniors or their families could have. They are a go-between for elders and their families and the health care staff, and work to keep families apprised of their loved one’s conditions.
They can also help in a home care setting as well. Social workers specializing in geriatric care will often coordinate discharge planning from the hospital to home, and will work to conduct home visits to ensure that their client is safe, happy, healthy and living in an environment in which they can thrive. They can also let families know when home care might be inappropriate for an elder, and help with finding assistance or transportation services, or recommend specialized technology for use with in-home care.
Geriatric care managers are trained to be aware of and recognize any abnormal patterns in aging and can suggest when a doctor visit may be appropriate. They can also arrange the appointment or visit. When making use of a geriatric social worker, some elders can live in their own home when, otherwise, they would be put in a nursing home facility.
If you or someone you love needs assistance with Elder Care law issues, call 856-281-3131. Let us help ease your stress and give you a plan.
that someone lives in his or her own residence as long as possible as they get older. Specifically, it means that an elder is at a time in life when he or she can have the things they need in life while still keeping the same quality of daily life. That distinction is vital, since many seniors might be mistaken thinking that aging in place will fix things that cannot be fixed simply by staying home.
A Continuing Care Retirement Community is a type of retirement community in the U.S. where a variety of care needs can be met within the community—from independent living, assisted living, or even skilled nursing care. While there are many benefits to living in such a community, one of the downsides is the rather great financial cost. An individual could expect to pay anywhere in the range of $20,000 up to $500,000 just in entrance fees—though the exact figure depends on whether you actually purchase the unit.
We all want to be remembered. It is an innate desire in each and every one of us. When our time comes, we would like to think we will have left behind something of value. We want to leave a positive mark on society and give our family and friends a legacy to remember us by. One of the ways we can do that is through outlining our final wishes in a will or through estate planning and leaving specific things to specific people. At Scott Counsel, we value legacies. We are a law firm committed to helping you and your family preserve all of the good things—material and immaterial—that are left behind.
dents’ rooms or any other common areas? If there is, warning bells should be going off, and red flags should be raised if the overall cleanliness of the facility itself doesn’t match the standards you would set for your own home, take caution. If you wouldn’t let yourself be cared for here, it probably isn’t the best place for your loved one either.
When trying to plan out the care of an elderly loved one, numerous things can come up that need to be taken into consideration. For now, let’s look at some of the questions you should ask, and some of the differences between home care and care at assisted living facilities and nursing homes.
A Personal Needs Allowance (aka PNA) might be another unfamiliar term for you. It can be confusing, but it doesn’t stay that way if you know what it is and what it does. Let’s take a look and clear up any confusion you might have right now:
A health care assessment may be necessary to help you get the proper assistance and care that you’ll need later in life. It may also be called an “assessment of need.”
Caring for an elderly loved one can be a huge undertaking. You want to care for your loved one, but the task may prove to be too much to handle if caregivers are not receiving the support they so desperately need. That’s why it is vital that all available family members who are willing to help actually do so. That means switching up tasks or asking to watch someone while another family member takes a much-needed break. It is important to remember that the care recipient isn’t the only one who needs looking after. It is just as important (if not more so) for caregivers. Also, finding and joining a caregiver support group in your area can be a great way to get encouragement and support from others who are also going through the same experience. Scott Counsel can help you find any caregiver support group(s) that may be in your area.