What Does Social Care Involve?
Our hospice social workers offer patients and their families emotional and psychological support.
- Counseling. At Generations, we understand and know first hand that entering hospice can be a complicated period for patients and their loved ones. Strong emotions, such as sadness, anger, grief, and confusion, can be experienced. Our social care addresses these emotions and provides patients and their families with coping strategies for this period, as well as ongoing support.
- Facilitating communication. With the rise of so many emotions and the prospect of death, we find that this journey can sometimes cause tension and conflict within families. Our social workers have the unique ability to create a safe space that encourages open communication between patients and family members. Social workers have experience guiding conversations in a productive manner to avoid unnecessary emotional distress. In some cases, our social workers are known to act as patients’ advocates to ensure their wishes are respected, particularly in situations where family members are conflicted.
- Offering practical support. Our social support extends to our patients’ loved ones. Sometimes, this can include connecting family members with the relevant sources. At other times, this may involve educating family members about what to expect during this period and what the diagnosis entails so they can make informed medical decisions. This support doesn’t stop when the patient passes away. Our social care services help families with the paperwork, funeral planning, and share coping methods for dealing with grief.
