By Jill Manske, MSW, ACSW, LISW
How Do I Know I Need A Social Worker?
You will find social workers in all program areas in Veterans Administration medical centers that are ready to help you with most any need. If you have questions or problems, the social worker will be able to help you or can refer you to the right person for help. Here are just some of the ways that VA social workers can help:
- Financial or housing assistance
- Applying for benefits from the VA, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and other government and community programs
- Making sure your doctor and other VA staff on your treatment team know your decisions about end-of-life issues, generally called advance directives and living wills. This includes issues such as whether you want to be on life support equipment, whether you are an organ donor, and which family member or other person you have chosen to make decisions on your behalf when you are unable to make those decisions yourself.
- Arranging for respite care for your caregiver so she or he can have a break or go on vacation without worrying about who will be caring for you.
- If you would like help with moving to an assisted living facility or a nursing home
- Getting help from the VA or from community agencies, such as Meals on Wheels, so you can continue to live in your own home
- If you are having marriage or family problems
- If someone close to you has passed away and you want to talk about it
- If you think you may have problems with drinking or drug use
- If you feel that someone is taking advantage of you or if you feel mistreated in a relationship
- If you are a parent who feels overwhelmed with child care
- If your parent or spouse is in failing health
- If you are feeling stress because of your health or because your medical condition interferes with your daily activities
- If you are feeling sad, depressed or anxious
- If you really aren’t sure what you need, but things just don’t feel right.
How can social workers help veterans with problems and concerns?
- Assessment: The first step is generally for the social worker to meet with you, and often, if you decide it is a good idea, with your family. The social worker will ask you questions about your health, your living situation, your military experience, your family and other support systems, and other things you think you need help with. The social worker will then write an assessment that will help you and your VA health care team make treatment plans.
- Crisis Intervention: In a crisis situation, social workers can provide counseling services to help you get through the crisis. The social worker will then help you with more long-term needs. The social worker can help you apply for services and programs in your community and through the VA to meet emergent needs.
- High-Risk Screening: Social workers work particularly closely with those veterans who are at high risk, such as those who are homeless, those who have been admitted to the hospital several times, and those who cannot care for themselves any longer.
- Discharge Planning: If you are admitted to a VA hospital, the social worker will help you make plans for your discharge back home or to the community. If you need services in your home or if you can no longer live at home by yourself, the social worker can help you make arrangements for the help you need.
- Case Management: Social workers often provide long-term case management services to veterans who are at high risk of being admitted to a hospital, those who have very complex medical problems, and those who need additional help and support. They are available when needed to provide and coordinate a variety of services you may need, including counseling or support services or just helping you figure out what you need and how to get it.
- Advocacy: Sometimes it can be hard for a veteran to speak up for himself or herself. And sometimes veterans are confused by such a big, bureaucratic agency like the VA. Social workers can advocate for you and go to bat for you when you have a hard time knowing how to do it by yourself.
- Education: Social workers can help educate you and your family about your health care condition, what services and programs are available to you, how you can live a more healthy life, how you can deal with stress and loss, and how you can find support groups and other self-help programs in your community.Social workers also educate other staff in the medical center and in the community about VA programs and services and about how problems veterans may be having in their personal lives can impact their health.
VA social workers can help you with all of these types of services, plus many, many more. If you have a problem or a question, you can ask a social worker. We’re here to help you!
If you need social work assistance regarding a veteran contact VA Central Office
