March is set aside to recognize the contributions of social workers. Social workers, or social service professionals as they are often called, play an important role in the life of a nursing home.

To learn more about social work, we talked to Katie Morgan, a licensed social worker and social services director at Dadeville Healthcare Center. She is currently president of ANHA’s Activity & Social Service Auxiliary.

First off, what’s the role of a social worker in a skilled nursing care center?

Overall, social workers assist the resident and their family through their nursing home journey. We enable each nursing home resident to function at the highest possible level of social and emotional wellness. We help a person who is entering the nursing home make the transition from their previous living. Once the new resident is established, the social worker assures the resident’s continuing needs are met and that he or she is given the opportunity to participate in planning for continued care in the nursing center. Although the resident is our main focus, we spend a good amount of time working with the resident’s family.

How do you achieve social and emotional wellness?

To assure positive well-being for the resident, social workers should adopt a holistic perspective by recognizing the interplay of social, psychological, physical and spiritual well-being. A social worker must constantly be aware of factors which may have a negative impact upon a resident’s well-being and, if possible, prevent this from occurring. Further, we must interact with all levels of staff at the facility as well as the resident’s family and friends. This is essential to enhancing the opportunity for the resident’s positive life experience.

Why is it important to be a licensed social worker?

Dadeville Healthcare Center Social Services Director Katie Morgan, right, discusses a resident's medical chart with Certified Nursing Assistant Sheneequa Banks.

Dadeville Healthcare Center Social Services Director Katie Morgan, right, discusses a resident’s medical chart with Certified Nursing Assistant Sheneequa Banks.

I feel being a licensed social worker is important because it gives us credibility and holds us to a higher standard. As a licensed social worker, I earned a bachelor degree in my field and had to pass a very difficult state licensure exam. Also, social workers must complete 30 hours of continuing education every two years in order to renew our license. I also have a specific code of ethics and professional conduct that I must adhere to as well (NASW Code of Ethics). I can lose my license if I violate that code or act in an unprofessional manner. It holds me accountable to my work and the people I serve.

 

Finally, describe the typical day of a nursing home social worker.

That’s difficult to answer because no two days are alike. Just this morning, a family member called because their loved one told them they had an item missing. I went down the resident’s room and with the resident’s permission, searched their drawers and found the missing item. I talked to the family member again today to let them know I found the item. We also discussed how this resident’s recent diagnosis with Dementia and offered advice and educational materials for the family.

After that phone call, I was asked to comfort a resident who was worried because their spouse is sick and in the hospital. I arranged for a family member to take the resident to the hospital to visit their spouse and spend time with their family.

Walking back up to my office, two residents stopped me with requests. I handled both of those requests before returning to my office. As soon as I got back to the office, the phone was ringing. It was a family member with a question concerning an upcoming care plan meeting.

I finish completing my resident assessments by writing quarterly/annual notes and update several resident care plans. Now, I’m talking to you about the importance of social work before assisting at the Mardi Gras social this afternoon.

Click here for more information about ANHA’s Activity & Social Service Auxiliary.

Read this article to learn about Katie’s plans as President of the Activity & Social Service Auxiliary.