Medical Social Services
Home Health United social workers play a vital role in the patient-care team. After a patient is admitted to home health services, a medical social worker may:
- conduct a thorough psychosocial assessment to help determine patient needs and identify any limitations, barriers, or safety issues that might impede recovery
- educate patients and families regarding community resources and support
- assist with long range planning including advance directives, and overall care options.
Their services may include:
- Education regarding alternative living arrangements
- Case management
- Advance directives (Power of Attorney for Health Care or Living Will)
- Community resource planning and coordination
- Short-term therapy
- Crisis intervention
- Financial assessment
- Counseling with life-style changes
- Teaching regarding coping with loss and change
- Grief counseling