The theme for Social Work Month 2022 is “The Time is Right for Social Work”. At Calvary, our team of social workers plays a critical role in our mission as a hospital and in the community. We are proud of the work our social workers do to bring our patients and their loved ones physical, spiritual, and emotional comfort.
Modern approaches to Hospice also called the “hospice movement,” is generally credited to Dame Cecily Saunders, a trained medical social worker who founded St. Christopher’s Hospice in 1967.
St. Christopher’s was the first hospice to couple teaching and research with critical care, and also established standards for palliative care that are now followed worldwide.
As the 20th century progressed, care for the dying became increasingly complicated by, among other things, advances in life-extending medical treatments with subjective quality-of-life implications.
To address these issues, the National Association of Social Workers issued its 1993 policy statement reiterating that client self-determination was, is, and must remain the determining factor in end-of-life situations, as in all others.
At Calvary, our Social Workers continue this tradition as part of our interdisciplinary approach, which focuses on looking at each patient as a ‘whole person encompassing their physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual needs.
Calvary Hospital’s social workers, also known as our Family Care team, provide appropriately sensitive care to our patients and their loved ones.
“Caring for a family member or friend who is seriously ill, especially at the end of life, can take an immense amount of physical and emotional energy
Our family care team is here to help people both navigate and cope with one of the most challenging times in their lives.”
"Social workers enter every situation with a gigantic 'toolbox', and use whatever 'tools' (or skills) are required.
Some patients’ families need help navigating Medicaid or other government services. Others require emotional support."
“There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t feel honored to work with patients and their families at such an intimate time in their lives. Most people I have cared for and worked with have a special place in my heart.
I think because of my comfort level discussing end-of-life issues, many people have shared that they are so surprised that I continue to be very upbeat. I enjoy laughing and listening to life stories that are shared with me. I have learned so much from so many patients."
Patient and Family Care
The patients and families who come to Calvary need specialized care. Often facing the emotions of anticipatory grief, associated with the painful realization of their own or loved ones’ mortality, our social work team helps these individuals negotiate hurdles and transitions. While the social workers at Calvary cannot alter fundamental realities, they listen with understanding and specialized training designed to provide comfort and alleviate every possible concern.
Medical Social Work
Calvary’s social workers are members of a highly specialized subset within the social work field. These caring professionals play a critical role in our patients’ medical care and emotional comfort. Our social workers assess individual patient and family situations, working hand in hand with other healthcare professionals, to coordinate the delivery of critical care and the emotional and spiritual support our patients and their loved ones require.