NYSDOH Meets with LeadingAge New York Social Workers

(September 15, 2026) LeadingAge Social Workers met with staff from NYSDOH Bureau of Quality Assurance and Complaint Resolution to discuss a wide range of issues facing social workers in nursing homes.  The NYSDOH Social Worker was seeking a broader understanding of the of the role social work plays in nursing homes and how that role and related responsibilities are impacted by such things as caseload, regulations, facility culture, and social worker background and experience.  The questions from NYSDOH had been provided to the group prior to the session and there was a good exchange of ideas as well as the sharing of social work practice unique to each facility.

There was keen interest in meeting again to complete discussion on the remaining questions and perhaps in addition discuss a specific practice area, such as behavioral health and resident rights.

While we don’t expect regulatory changes resulting from the discussion, similar discipline groups have produced best practice suggestions and guidance in the past. 

The discussion questions are listed below:

1-What do you see as the role of Social Work in the nursing home?

2-What do you see as a manageable caseload? (120 residents< require 1 social worker)

3-How often do you feel it necessary to document in the EMR and what situations and events might prompt you to document? (Are you able to review notes and address concerns if they arise?)

4-Are you involved in MOLST and to what extent?

5-Are you involved in any QAPI projects?

6-If you are the Grievance Officer, what issues, if any, do you find problematic?

7-What kind of training do you do for direct care staff?

8-Are there particular steps you take to promote quality of life and resident rights in your nursing home? (How much time do you get to share with residents individually?)

9-What has been your experience with survey?

10-How do you stay aware of changes to residents when they might experience something at a time you are not present in the building?

11-What steps do you take to maintain contact with the families of residents? Do you provide education?

12- Do you feel the PASARR is being utilized appropriately for admissions?

Contact:  Carrie Mosley, cmosley@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8383 x. 147