National Social Work Month
March 19, 2018
National Social Work Month
By Arnold Naves, S.M.A
In March of each year, Social workers throughout the nation celebrate National Social Work Month (NSWM) in acknowledgement for the contribution of social workers for our society.
Social Work is an aiding profession; their main objective is to improve society’s overall well-being, especially for the most vulnerable populations. ”I became a social worker because I feel there is a lot of injustice in the world. I know I can’t change it, but at least I can help make it better and help our vulnerable populations especially the elderly.” – Lily Velasquez, Social work Manager at Bienvivir.
Social workers concentrate on the person’s environment and emphasis on social justice. They examine their relationships, internal struggles as an individual, family history, community environment and structures or policies that affect them in order to identifying ways to overcome a challenge. Social workers work with individuals, families, groups, organizations, etc.
Social Work roles at Bienvivir
Social works begins with a file on a new participant, after reviewing the document social workers visits the participants’ home to determine if they live in a safely environment. Defining who lives with the participant and what kind of connection they have with them, establishing who is involved with the participant’s care or if they live on their own.
If the participant lives on his own and are between 80 and 90 years old, then social workers have to find guardianship for them, the main purpose is to help them with daily activities such as paying bills or calling Adult Protective Services (APS) for them to be involved.
After identifying the family members, friends and/or neighbors that are involved with the participant, there is a meeting set up to discuss who is going to be involved with the participants care. Participants can assign someone to make decisions for them if they have capacity to do so.
If the participant lacks capacity to make decisions for themselves, then a family member or their guardian can assist with every decision they have to make and help communicating medical terminology. In addition, they will receive instructions on how to give the participant their medications.
In case of a terminal disease, the social worker communicates with the family and inform them that there is a medical update. A conference is schedule with all the participant’s family, neighbors, friends or guardian who are involved with their care. The participant’s doctor, nurse and social worker provides the medical update in the conference.
The Comfort Care and End of Life Services program is explained to provide end of life medical care and emotional support to the participant and the participant’s family, friends and/or guardian. Social workers educate and assist with establishing health care wishes (Out of Hospital Do Not Resuscitate, Medical Power of Attorney and/or Living Will).
Social workers within Bienvivir work as roots between the participant and his family. One of the most vital jobs within our organization, we would like to thank each and every one of our Social Workers who act not only as voice for participants who can’t be heard, but are responsible for meeting our participants rights with dignity, compassion, and confidentiality.