A social worker’s role in a nursing home is focused solely on the needs of the residents in their care. They are responsible for the resident’s welfare, including ensuring that their physical, mental, and emotional needs are met. They also help mediate between families, medical professionals, and legal staff when needed. Their care and support evolve during the resident’s stay to ensure they always have the care they need.

At Haym Salomon Home for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Brooklyn, NY, our social services include an experienced social worker on every unit who is highly involved in patient care. They strongly advocate for residents, educate them about their rights, address grievances, and manage their concerns. Social workers assess the resident’s medical needs, discussing mood, behavior, cognition, and life before admission. They use this information to create a plan that suits the resident’s individualized care.

Social worker supporting a smiling elderly woman in a wheelchair, demonstrating the social workers role in providing emotional support, care coordination, and assistance to older adults.

Social Worker’s Roles

Experts state that a social worker’s role is multifaceted, covering all aspects of a resident’s care 1. They assist in several areas, acting as advocates, mediators, and communicators to ensure the resident’s needs are met. When a resident is discharged, they help with planning and resources to ensure a smooth transition home. We’ll discuss some of the main roles more deeply in the following sections.

Advocating for residents

One of a social worker’s most important roles is advocating for residents in the nursing home. Experts say an advocate helps with health and social care, weighing options and assisting with decision-making 2. They also ensure procedures are followed correctly and question challenging decisions that may not be in the resident’s best interest.

In a nursing home, social workers tailor each resident’s care to their circumstances. They pay close attention to the resident’s wants and ensure their rights are respected. Social workers also mediate discussions with medical professionals, monitor living conditions, and help manage all aspects of a resident’s care.

Evaluating patients’ mental health & emotional support

 

Studies show that nursing home residents often suffer from mental or emotional health concerns 3. These include dementia, depression, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, and several other conditions. Even residents without these issues often need extra support to adapt to their environment and manage their concerns.

A social worker’s role includes evaluating a resident’s mental health and emotional needs 4. They assess each patient and help create a personalized care plan. The social worker locates counselors and treatment options and ensure the patient understands all aspects of the plan. They also find alternatives when needed so the patient is comfortable at all times.

 

Connecting the dots – coordinating care

Part of a social worker’s role is assessing a resident’s emotional, social, behavioral, family, and practical needs. Studies show that patient conversations give social workers the unique ability to connect them with the proper resources 5.

Doing so ensures the patient is matched with the services they need. These include medical care, social services, financial services, and other necessary resources. Coordinating care can help reduce gaps, duplication, and unnecessary services while supporting continuity of care. They ensure the family is involved, so they can reach out to health care providers and other resources when necessary.

Resources:

  1. NASW, Nursing Home Social Worker Overview
    https://joblink.socialworkers.org/career/nursing-home-social-worker
  2. NCBI, Nov. 9, 2022, Advocacy services for adults with health and social care needs
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK588858/
  3. PMC, Dec. 1, 2010, Quality of Mental Health Care for Nursing Home Residents: A Literature Review
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2981653/
  4. Adelphi University, Dec. 18, 2023, What is Medical Social Worker
    https://online.adelphi.edu/articles/social-workers-in-healthcare-how-they-make-a-difference/
  5. PMC, May 30, 2016, AIMS: A Care Coordination Model to Improve Patient Health Outcomes
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4985886/
This content comprises informative and educational resources only and can not be considered as a substitute for professional health or medical guidance. Reliance on any information provided in this article is solely at your own risk. If you have any inquiries or apprehensions about your medical condition or health goals, talk with a licensed physician or healthcare provider.