How Social Workers Assist Older Adults

Counseling
• Education about disease prevention and health promotion
• Advance care planning (living wills, advance directives, DNR orders)
• Help with access to resources on legal and financial matters
• Mental health
Coordinate Systems of Care
• Provide care management
• Manage transitions between hospital, skilled nursing facilities, and home
• Coordinate social services to help maintain clients in their homes
Assess and Monitor
• Assess the social, psychological, environmental, economic situation
• Engage family members
• Conduct crisis intervention
• Monitor the effectiveness of services and treatments
Linking to Resources
• Community service centers
• Home health agencies
• Transportation
• Meal programs
Advocacy
• Serve as administrators, advocates, policy analysts within agencies
• Address elder abuse through adult protective services
• Organize at the community level