It’s Social Worker Month, and boy, do we need to applaud social workers for their work. Social Workers provide services in various locations, from hospitals to nursing homes, assisted living facilities, military and penal institutions, group homes, and homes. Caregivers who care for loved ones often encounter challenging situations and need social workers’ knowledge to advise and guide them.
It is no secret that caregiving has many twists and turns, and navigating them can create stress and worry. Social workers can be valuable additions to the tool chest of how they can support caregivers. They specialize in unique topics like medical social work(hospital-based), coordination of care of the elderly with disability, social problems, housing concerns, healthcare costs for services like hospice or respite, custody arrangements, disaster and crisis intervention, elder abuse, veteran’s needs, and domestic conflicts that involve family caregivers(spousal or adult children).
This may surprise some, but social workers also work in the justice and correctional system. Why should this be known? Some loved ones may have spent time in the legal system and have medical and mental health conditions after they are released. Caregivers need advice from justice social workers to ensure they follow any limitations aligned with release. Advocating for our loved ones after incarceration is just as crucial as advocating for non-incarcerated people. It is vital to help caregivers who may be affected by loved ones who have been imprisoned.
It is essential to know that social workers can access community-based agencies, government agencies, judicial formats, nonprofit organizations, advocacy groups, and programs that help a community. As caregivers, you need not go it alone. Have you heard the saying “ a closed mouth cannot be fed?” So it is, that if caregivers of loved ones have questions and concerns about caregiving challenges, social workers can provide solid support to get one over the hump. You have to let someone know you are in need. It is OK to ask for help!
As Your Proactive Caregiver Advocate, let us acknowledge that social workers are the backbone of society’s social landscape. They are our advocates, councilors, and support systems for families facing complex caregiving challenges. Their professional roles extend across diverse sectors and populations, especially eldercare. Happy Social Worker Month to all the amazing social workers, here, there, and everywhere! Be Safe! Be Well!
Dr. Cynthia J. Hickman, a retired registered nurse and case manager, is the CEO of Your Proactive Caregiver Advocate. She has released several books, including The Essential Caregiver Training Course for Corporations and Community, From the Lens of Daughter, Nurse, and Caregiver: A Journey of Duty and Honor, and The Black Book of Important Information for Caregivers.