In my experience, there was no hiring a SW as such. They are usually associated with a facility or agency. They have them at the hospital, Rehab and at the Nursing homes. If you are placing your husband in LTC you need to find a place you are interested in and talk to them. SWs don't usually have anything to do with getting a person admitted. I didn't deal with one until after Mom was admitted. She was present at care meetings and when Mom moved to another room. For me, they have never been helpful.
Hospice needs a doctor saying there is a need. The doctor can put you in touch with a Hopice in ur area. You call them and they come out and go over the service they provide and evaluate the client. They will then admit the person. Hospice is usually done at home and is paid for by Medicare but only the service. The family also needs to be there. There are Hospice facilities but Medicare does not pay for the facility. Same with a NH, facility is not covered only the service. One of the differences in Palliative care and Hospice, I think, is that you don't need to be dying for Palliative care but you do for Hospice.
Call your County Office of Aging and see if there is someone who can help you get things going.
Is the patient competent? Are you the POA for a patient who is no longer competent to make his or her own decision? Is the patient currently in the hospital? Is the patient currently at the stage of end of life care? Has the patient expressed a wish to see a palliative care consult or hospice? Has this request been made to the patient's physician? We really need more information. In general, in the hospital, the patient will have access to their own doctor or hospitalist and to a "case manager". If you are POA ask to speak to both. Ask to speak to Social Worker who can coordinate with you (again, if you are the POA). Understand that many hospitals are in a state of being overwhelmed. The earlier you ask, and the more often, the more likely you are to get the care. Have the nurse check the chart to be certain any POLST or Advance Directives already done are a part of record.
I would start this conversation with his doctor. Some doctors, especially geriatric doctors, have social workers as part if their team.
In terms of finding a facility, you need to start with a "needs assessment" of the level of care necessary. Your local Area Agency on Aging can provide this; they also usually have Social Workers on staff.
An eldercare attorney can be another good source of information. You need to protect your assets and income, especially if there is a possibility that Medicaid will be needed.
Some larger eldercare attys have social workers on staff as well.
Remember that placement is easiest when done from a hospital or rehab. If a hospitalization occurs, start working with discharge planning as soon as possible.
Hospice needs a doctor saying there is a need. The doctor can put you in touch with a Hopice in ur area. You call them and they come out and go over the service they provide and evaluate the client. They will then admit the person. Hospice is usually done at home and is paid for by Medicare but only the service. The family also needs to be there. There are Hospice facilities but Medicare does not pay for the facility. Same with a NH, facility is not covered only the service. One of the differences in Palliative care and Hospice, I think, is that you don't need to be dying for Palliative care but you do for Hospice.
Call your County Office of Aging and see if there is someone who can help you get things going.
Are you the POA for a patient who is no longer competent to make his or her own decision?
Is the patient currently in the hospital? Is the patient currently at the stage of end of life care? Has the patient expressed a wish to see a palliative care consult or hospice? Has this request been made to the patient's physician?
We really need more information.
In general, in the hospital, the patient will have access to their own doctor or hospitalist and to a "case manager". If you are POA ask to speak to both. Ask to speak to Social Worker who can coordinate with you (again, if you are the POA). Understand that many hospitals are in a state of being overwhelmed. The earlier you ask, and the more often, the more likely you are to get the care.
Have the nurse check the chart to be certain any POLST or Advance Directives already done are a part of record.
With her primary's approval we began palliative care at her home. She qualified because of her dementia.
As health decline escalates she will have care in place to help make decisions for the future.
Presently she is doing well with part time caregivers.
In terms of finding a facility, you need to start with a "needs assessment" of the level of care necessary. Your local Area Agency on Aging can provide this; they also usually have Social Workers on staff.
An eldercare attorney can be another good source of information. You need to protect your assets and income, especially if there is a possibility that Medicaid will be needed.
Some larger eldercare attys have social workers on staff as well.
Remember that placement is easiest when done from a hospital or rehab. If a hospitalization occurs, start working with discharge planning as soon as possible.