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 Jackie Beaudoin, 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 Jackie Beaudoin, BSW, Ext.
129 or Sally Aho-Ross, BSW, Ext. 127 or Wendy Gibson,
MSW, Ext. 504