Hug Your Social Worker!

Celebrated each March since 1984, National Professional Social Work Month is an opportunity for social workers across the country to turn the spotlight on the profession and highlight the important contributions they make to society. Social workers, more than any other profession, recognize that more must be done to address persistent social problems such as poverty; lack of education and health care access; and discrimination based on gender, race, sexuality or income. And they know that all people, no matter their circumstance, at some time in their lives may need the expertise of a skilled social worker.

In long term care, the contributions social workers make are invaluable. Through the assessment and care planning process they identify ways to support the needs of residents and help promote the dignity and individuality of each resident. With the current Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) emphasis on the reduction of antipsychotics, social workers assist the nursing home to provide alternatives to drug treatment by understanding and communicating to staff why residents act as they do, what they are attempting to communicate and what needs staff must meet.

Recent CMS guidance in F309, Quality of Care, as it relates to behavior, cites the critical role of recognition and assessment in the response to working with residents. The guidance emphasizes the “need to reflect comprehensive information about the person, including past life experiences, description of behaviors, preferences such as those for daily routines, food, music, exercise….” The information gathered by social workers from the resident and families is a critical tool in understanding and caring for the resident.

Contact: Elliott Frost, efrost@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8832