Social Workers Can Help You Be A Better Caregiver Because They Know About Resources And Have The Ability To Find Solutions To Problems
Caring for a family member can be a 24/7 job. Pegasus caregivers in Stevenson Ranch and elsewhere understand how overwhelming it is. Our social workers are a resource that can help you be a better caregiver.
The primary function of a social worker is to help individuals with problems. They assist in finding practical solutions for a huge variety of situations. Some specialize in areas such as child welfare, family relationships, or substance abuse.
All types of social workers can help family caregivers. Those specializing in healthcare can be invaluable in providing the support you need. Their training enables them to understand the effects of aging and illness.
If you’re a family caregiver, you have plenty of company. It’s estimated at least 65 million individuals are caring for a sick, disabled, or elderly family member or friend. For some, it’s a full-time job, but even part-time caregivers need assistance from professionals.
Social Workers Provide Solutions
Often, the caregiver’s health suffers. You may not get much time for self-care. And there is always something more to worry about.
Family caregivers need time off to avoid burnout. A respite from caregiving gives you the opportunity to de-stress, rest, and rejuvenate. The professionals at Pegasus offer respite care for as long as needed.
You may simply need someone to talk to. Social workers are not only non-judgmental listeners, but they can offer solutions to ease your load. They have the ability and resources to help you:
- If your senior loved one requires more care than you can provide
- Learn about any community support programs
- Know your options in the event of a medical crisis when you can’t be there
- Conduct the necessary conversations about illness and death
- Find ways to relieve your stress
Your social worker is skilled in asking questions to gain insight. Their solutions consider the needs of everyone involved. They understand the challenges of those who need care and those who provide the care.
Social workers don’t try to replace family caregivers. They prefer to function as partners, with the intent of improving the well-being of caregivers and their loved ones.
Social Workers Are Trained Professionals
Social workers are professionals who are expected to meet specific standards. These include:
- Ethics and values – they have a code of ethics and a set of core values to which they must adhere. They will not violate your privacy and everything is kept confidential.
- Qualifications – they must have a degree from an accredited institution. They must also meet licensing and certification requirements.
- Knowledge – they must stay current on new developments, as well as staying aware of resources that can benefit caregivers and those for whom they care.
- Cultural and linguistic competence – they must recognize and respect the diversity of the individuals to whom they offer assistance.
- Assessment – they must be able to gather and accurately record relevant information from individuals. They also need the ability to develop that information into viable treatment or care plans.
- Service planning, delivery, and monitoring – they must be able to work with the healthcare team and family caregivers to provide beneficial services.
- Advocacy – they must take any needed action to provide the resources that caregivers and their loved ones require. They also assist caregivers with navigating the various facilities and systems involved in the health of their loved one.
- Collaboration – they must work with other organizations and providers to obtain services for family caregivers and their loved one.
Any age group can experience chronic illness, grief, or disability, among other conditions. However, family caregivers are often called upon to cope with these conditions affecting their senior loved one. Caregivers that specialize in services for older adults are knowledgeable about conditions specific to aging.
Social Workers Help With Dementia Care
A social worker can be especially helpful if you’re a caregiver for a loved one who is cognitively impaired. Alzheimer’s and other dementias present unique challenges for family caregivers. A social worker assists both you and your loved one in meeting those challenges.
In addition to the physical and mental components of dementia, there are emotional aspects to cope with. You probably feel grief when witnessing the decline of a formerly competent loved one. There’s also the extra stress of trying to care for a stubborn individual who resists all your attempts to help.
A social worker understands how dementia affects the whole family. They have the knowledge and experience to help you find new ways of managing. They can teach you strategies and routines that improve the situation for everyone.
They have tips and suggestions for reducing stress. Your loved one likely senses that you’re stressed even if you attempt to conceal it. Reducing the stress benefits them as well as you.
Pegasus is a licensed Home Care Organization and a Joint Commission Accredited Home Health Care organization. The services provided by our caregivers in Stevenson Ranch and our other locations include social workers. We are here for you with resources and solutions designed to help you be a better family caregiver.
