What is a Social Worker? 3 Ways Social Workers Support Older Adults and Their Families

New health problems. Worries about your home or future care needs. Trouble getting to appointments or out to see friends. As you get older, you and your loved ones may face complicated issues that are tough to handle alone.

Good news – you don’t have to handle it alone! These challenges might mean it’s time to call in a social worker, a person whose expertise and training is focused on navigating the aging experience and all it brings.

How social workers help aging adults

You might know about social workers who provide resources to children in schools, or the ones who work at public agencies helping people find housing and jobs. But some social workers are trained specifically to help older adults.

Gerontology social workers focus on helping older adults live with dignity and maintain independence by connecting them to care and resources in their communities.

Here, we’ll take a closer look at three practical, difference-making ways they can come alongside you and your caregivers:

1. Coordinating medical care

A fall at home or a medication mix-up can lead to both physical and mental health setbacks, while also revealing issues that previously went unnoticed.

For example, after a fall, you might need surgery and time to heal in a rehabilitation center. You may also need to consider adding a ramp for safer, easier transitions in and out once you’ve returned home.

Taking the wrong medication could cause a serious health complication that requires immediate attention. It may also reveal the need for some in-home support to make sure you’re taking the right dosage, at the right time.

A social worker can guide you and your caregivers through these situations. They can help coordinate medical care and recovery. They can support you and your loved ones through conversations and decisions required to keep you safe and healthy going forward – whether at home or in a rehab/care setting.

2. Revealing community resources

After turning 65, new programs and services open up to you. But you might not know how to fully access these programs — or that some even exist. Social workers can serve as your guide, leading you to helpful resources and ensuring you’re taking full advantage of what’s available.

For example, if you’re having trouble preparing meals or driving to appointments, a social worker can connect you to meal delivery services and public transportation programs. If you’re lonely at home, social workers can direct you to local senior centers for art classes, meet-ups with friends, and card games.

Social workers can explain confusing government programs — from Medicare and Medicaid to Social Security and veterans benefits. If your budget is tightening too, a social worker in gerontology can direct you to local or federal agencies that provide housing assistance or help with paying for utilities.

3. Addressing long-term needs

Aging is an adventure that is full of joys, fears, and frustrations. Maybe you’re forgetting things more often, feeling anxious, or grieving a loved one’s death. You might wonder how long you can stay in your home on your own, or what will happen if you get too sick to advocate for yourself.

Social workers can talk through these concerns with you and your family members. If you’re dealing with memory problems or feeling sad or worried, they can explain options for the future such as connecting you to grief counseling or therapy; hiring in-home care to help with daily needs; moving to an assisted living community with regular social activities; or beginning to search for a memory care center.

Another benefit of collaborating with social workers? They can help you get your important legal documents in order. That includes wills, estate plans and advance directives that tell your caregivers what medical care you want if you are unable to speak for yourself.

Conversations around these scenarios are complicated and emotionally charged, which can stir up grief and tough family dynamics. Bringing a social worker into these discussions allows the conversations to remain loving and productive.

Where to Learn More

Social workers who support older adults are often found in senior centers and adult day programs, assisted living communities, hospice organizations, community clinics, hospitals and agencies that support caregivers. To find local providers, contact your local Area Agency on Aging or United Way’s 211 service.

ArchWell Health members have access to the support of our own compassionate and highly trained social workers who can help you address a variety of things while providing emotional support, guidance and personalized care.