As life goes on, our elderly are in need of assistance. A Geriatric Social Worker may be needed to assist in many ways to help out our elderly population to either obtain independence or coping with the loss of their independence. A social worker may help in many different ways from financial issues, medical care, and social problems to even mental disorders. The financial problems may include but not limited to living on a fixed income to finding employment. Medical care problems may include finding the proper care as such as living independent or living in an assistance living community and also helping to apply for such medical benefits. A social worker may provide assistance to help cope with the loneliness or even finding social activities. Last but not least the mental health issues can include but not limited to grief of a lost one to depression.
One main goal of a geriatric social worker is to make sure that all the needs of his or her client needs are met. Before he or she can do so, they must first asses each client on an individual basis to determine what exactly needed. First the social worker will meet with the individual and his or her family and or care takers such as doctors or nurses and if need be all medical records to determine if independent living is possible or if the client needs outside living arrangements. After such assessment is finalized the social worker will then move on to the next step in possessing the other needs of the client. A social worker will then utilize their knowledge of services to help in either financial assistance or other programs that the client and their families are unaware of.
A geriatric social worker will also keep an eye out for signs of neglect or abuse towards the elderly. Periodic evaluations and regular visits will help the social worker to determine if the client is in need of additional services throughout their time with the social worker.
One main goal of a geriatric social worker is to make sure that all the needs of his or her client needs are met. Before he or she can do so, they must first asses each client on an individual basis to determine what exactly needed. First the social worker will meet with the individual and his or her family and or care takers such as doctors or nurses and if need be all medical records to determine if independent living is possible or if the client needs outside living arrangements. After such assessment is finalized the social worker will then move on to the next step in possessing the other needs of the client. A social worker will then utilize their knowledge of services to help in either financial assistance or other programs that the client and their families are unaware of.
A geriatric social worker will also keep an eye out for signs of neglect or abuse towards the elderly. Periodic evaluations and regular visits will help the social worker to determine if the client is in need of additional services throughout their time with the social worker.