Making
the decision to move into a new home is difficult for both the
resident and the family involved. Often times, the placement
is made following an acute problem needing hospitalization.
Placement may be temporary or indefinite, but either way, a
sense of loss and adjustment is faced by the resident and their
family. The social workers within the facility are prepared
to assist with this adjustment, as well as monitor and assist
throughout the residents stay here for psychological and psycho
social needs.
The
facility has three trained professionals: Sally Aho-Ross,
BSW, Wendy Gibson, MSW and Teresa West, BSW. They wear
many hats within the facility and always strive, along with
other staff, to assure resident's rights and quality of life.
The role of the social worker within long term care has certainly
grown within the past years. With focus now on "Quality
of Life" the social worker advocates for the resident, many
times through drug and restraint monitoring as well as behavior
modification and staff education.
The facility is proud to be physical restraint free
and the social workers closely monitor mood altering and psychoactive
drugs, working closely with the physician to minimize and
monitor these types of medications. Fundamental to social
work is attention to the environmental factors that create
and contribute to problems in daily living. Changes
in the environment are often made by promoting understanding
of resident's moods and behaviors and thus offering alternatives
to drug therapy or restraints.
Our
Social Service Department works closely with Community Mental
Health, Home Health Nursing, Probate Court and various community
resources to guarantee the highest quality of life for the
resident whether they make the facility their permanent home
or return to independent living.
Acting
as a liaison between the family, the resident and the facility,
the social worker will often help with resident advance
directives, problems or concerns or educating the family in
regards to medical issues. Whatever the task may be,
the social worker is there to assist.
We
invite you to stop and visit or call with any questions you
may have and ask for Teresa West, BSW, Ext. 129 or Sally Aho-Ross,
BSW, Ext. 127 or Wendy Gibson, MSW, Ext. 504
