Every year, both social workers and women are recognized for their contributions to society, one of which is coordinating elder home care. Social Work Awareness Month and Women’s History Month are both celebrated in the month of March.

Here’s how social workers and women impact seniors.

How are social workers important to elder home care?

Licensed social workers, the heroes of senior care, receive their due recognition each March during Social Work Awareness Month. This group of dedicated professionals is crucial to serving the older population, many of whom do not receive the attention and care they deserve.

Social workers are instrumental in connecting older adults with local community resources that can help them maintain their physical health and fulfill their social and emotional needs. Home care is one resource that social workers frequently recommend to the seniors they serve.

Nearly 700,000 social workers in the United States work tirelessly to empower and raise the living standards of millions of people, many of whom are vulnerable seniors. Geriatric social workers are skilled specifically in assisting members of the aging generation.

Today, geriatric social workers are in demand, due to the rising population of Americans aged 65 and older. By 2060, this age group is expected to surpass 98 million. The population of people 85 and older will nearly double from the current 10.6 million to 21.1 million by 2030.

What elder care responsibilities do social workers perform?

 

In order for seniors to reap the most benefits out of senior care, geriatric social workers must address a large number of tasks. The professional sorts out important details relevant to the patient’s present and future care. Factors they take into account include the physical, emotional, and logistical.

The responsibilities of social workers don’t stop there. They also coordinate the many people involved in the senior’s care, whether they are family members, healthcare professionals, or other seniors. Social workers keep the lines of communication open between everyone and implement a workable plan.

Specific examples of social workers’ tasks include advocacy, understanding older adults’ medical treatment wishes, assessment and care planning, and complaint resolution. If a crisis develops, the professional becomes involved in crisis management. End-of-life planning is coordinated by geriatric social workers.

Emotional support is also provided. Seniors who suffer a personal loss are encouraged to grieve, yet remain connected with life, by geriatric social workers. When isolation or depression affects an aging adult, social workers find appropriate resources, like companion care, to alleviate their suffering.

Even when the senior passes away, the geriatric social worker continues to provide support, albeit in the form of compassionate counseling to the deceased’s family and friends. Overall, the social worker is a source of knowledge and resources for seniors in the community.

How are women important to elder home care?

Women’s History Month is equally vital to the success of elder home care. Women provide the majority of informal home care to spouses, parents, friends, and neighbors. Like social workers, they wear many hats as they manage the health and well-being of aging care recipients.

What responsibilities do women caregivers perform?

Roles that women assume when managing elder home care include decision-maker, advocate, hands-on health provider, and care manager. Female caregivers simultaneously serve as friend, confidants, and companions to the elderly individuals in their care, easing feelings of loneliness and isolation.

The face of the female caregiver is recognizable. On average, a female caregiver’s age is 49. She works outside the home but provides 20 hours of weekly care to an aging parent. While men serve in the caregiving role, an estimated 66 percent of caregivers in the US are female.

In Honor of Social Work Month and Women’s History Month

The health and human services available to aging people are numerous. Together, geriatric social workers and women help elderly care recipients navigate the confusing array of services. As a result of their work, seniors are directed toward the most appropriate services to support them as they age.

Elder home care is a clear and obvious choice for many older Americans who prefer to age in place. Social workers pinpoint their elderly clients to reputable home care agencies in their area. Whether custodial home care or home health care, the senior receives an optimal level of service.

A large percentage of the professional caregivers staffed at home care agencies are female. Their responsibilities are to assist the elderly, thereby giving their care recipients an opportunity to live a high quality of life filled with activities, healthy meals, quality sleep, and independence.

In March, celebrate the strides geriatric social workers and women have made and continue to make in the field of elder home care.

Thanks to the work of these professionals and female caregivers, countless seniors receive the home care services they need to live with dignity.

Finding the Right Home Care Agency

 

One local resource that geriatric social workers are likely to recommend to clients is Assisting Hands Home Care. We are a reputable home care agency that delivers compassionate support to seniors in the comfort and familiarity of their home environment.

Our services are geared toward elevating the daily life experiences of seniors in our care. We assist the elderly with tasks, such as bathing, grooming, toileting, and dressing. Professional caregivers prepare balanced meals and shop for fresh groceries. We also provide timely medication reminders.

When your elderly loved one has a doctor’s appointment, we provide transportation. Our caregivers are also excellent companions, keeping seniors socially active through conversations, games, outings, and the pursuit of leisure activities. We promote the holistic health of aging care recipients.

Professional caregivers from Assisting Hands Home Care are licensed, bonded, and insured. They are also trained in CPR and First Aid and know how to respond to emergencies. Families and seniors enjoy peace of mind knowing that capable professionals are managing care.

Count on Assisting Hands Home Care when elder home care becomes necessary. We serve seniors living in and around Palos Heights, Illinois.

Schedule a complimentary in-home consultation, and we’ll further describe how our flexible senior care services will benefit your loved one.