The short answer
The social worker (often called "social services") helps residents and families with the non-medical side of nursing home life: admission, scheduling care plan meetings, family communication, emotional and behavioral needs, roommate issues, missing belongings, benefits such as Medicaid, grievances and discharge planning. Facilities with more than 120 beds must employ a qualified social worker full time.
What social services does
- Helps with admission paperwork and adjustment to the facility
- Schedules and often leads care plan meetings
- Serves as a point of contact between the family and the care team
- Addresses mood, behavior and psychosocial needs, and arranges mental health services
- Handles complaints about lost items, roommate conflicts and dignity concerns
- Often serves as, or works with, the facility's grievance official
- Plans safe discharges home or to another setting
What social services does not do
The social worker does not direct nursing care. Concerns about falls, wounds, medications or hands-on care should go to nursing (the unit manager or director of nursing), with a copy to the social worker.
Tips
- Ask the social worker to send you the date of every care plan meeting in writing.
- Send a short written summary after each meeting.
- If the facility starts talking about discharge, ask the social worker for the written notice and the appeal rights. See discharge rights.
The rules behind this
- 42 C.F.R. § 483.40(d) (medically related social services)
- 42 C.F.R. § 483.70(p) (social worker requirement)
Related questions
This guide provides general information, not medical or legal advice. Rules change; confirm current requirements with the facility, the New York State Department of Health or a professional. Attorney Advertising.