Medical Social Worker Services

Platinum Home Health Care, Inc. is a leading provider of home health care services throughout the Chicagoland Area including McHenry, Lake, Boone, Winnebago, Kane, Cook, Will and DuPage counties. Our company was established in 2004. We are licensed by the Illinois Department of Public Health and certified by Medicare. We offer a wide array of medical and wellness services to guide you to better health management.

All team members are fully trained to be on the cutting edge with the new methods and approaches to patient care. Criminal background checks and medical screenings are also performed on a regular basis. Our caring staff of highly experienced professionals provide quality care which is suitable to your individual needs. We provide professional services with great pride and maximum care.

Home health care provides medical services to adults and seniors recovering after hospitalization or dealing with disabilities and chronic conditions. These services allow patients to receive skilled care while remaining in their homes. Platinum Home Health Care, Inc is a leading provider of occupational therapy and nursing care at home. Critical members of the home care team are medical social workers. They serve to coordinate care, connect patients with community resources, and provide psychosocial therapy to cope with illness.

Types of Home Health Care Patients

Recovering After Hospitalization

Many seniors are discharged from the hospital into home health care for short-term recovery. Services like wound care, medication management, and physical therapy may be needed before fully regaining independence.

Adults with Disabilities or Chronic Illness

Some adults have permanent disabilities or chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease requiring ongoing case management. Medical equipment, doctor supervision, and regular check-ins allow these patients to safely manage health issues from home.

End-of-Life Care

In some cases where illness has progressed, the focus shifts to making the patient comfortable at the end stages of disease. Social workers assist with difficult decisions around care options and transitions to hospice.

Roles and Responsibilities

Conduct Assessments

Through interviews with patients and family members, social workers evaluate physical, environmental, financial, and emotional needs central to wellbeing. This guides care planning.

Connect with Local Resources

Social workers link clients with community services including meal delivery, support groups, adult day programs, respite care, and assistance. These services foster health and independence.

Coordinate Care Transitions

Navigating between hospitals, rehab facilities, and home requires planning. Social workers manage these transitions, conveying health histories and care preferences across settings.

Provide Counseling

Living with illness brings profound stress. Counseling teaches strategies to process grief, strengthen family communication, and minimize anxiety during treatment.

Make Difficult Care Decisions

Clarifying wishes around medical interventions and surrogate decision makers eases future tough choices. Social workers gently guide these complex conversations.

Oversee Care Team Communication

With numerous providers involved, social workers ensure coordination. They brief home health staff on psychosocial dynamics essential to quality care.

Exceptional Medical Social Worker Services in Chicago, Orland Park, Tinley Park, Lemont, New Lenox, Oak Lawn, Frankfort, Mokena, Chicago Ridge, Homer Glen, Boone County, Cook County, DuPage County, Kane County, Lake County, McHenry County, Will County, and Winnebago County.

Platinum Home Health Care, Inc. is a leading provider of home health care services throughout the Chicagoland Area including McHenry, Lake, Boone, Winnebago, Kane, Cook, Will and DuPage counties. Our company was established in 2004. We are licensed by the Illinois Department of Public Health and certified by Medicare.

Our caring staff of highly experienced professionals provide quality care which is suitable to your individual needs. We provide professional services with great pride and maximum care.

Impacts of Medical Social Work Services

Improves Care Quality

In-depth insight on lifestyles and demands on families guides patient-centered care planning sensitive to individual challenges.

Boosts Care Coordination

With numerous providers involved in home health, social workers enhance coordination and information flow critical for safety and progress.

Enhances Coping Abilities

Through counseling, patients and families gain strength to withstand difficulties and embrace living life amidst illness.

Reduces Healthcare Costs

By smoothing transitions out of the hospital and preventing readmissions, medical social workers decrease costs across health systems.

Social Worker Interventions

Case Management

Linking clients with equipment, transportation, and finances needed for accessing treatment faliciltates positive outcomes. Tracking of goals maintains function.

Counseling and Adjustment Support

Talk therapy empowers patients and caregivers to problem solve around self-care, apply coping techniques, and embrace life with illness.

Caregiver Assistance

Respite care services offer family caregivers a break from demanding duties. Counseling and support groups renew energies to continue in the caregiving role.

Daily Living Assistance

Strategies for household tasks, mobility around the home, hygiene, and medication adherence help patients achieve optimal independence.

Goals of Care Dialogues

Discussions define priorities, clarify treatment options, and determine care directions harmonious with patient values. These dialogues ease future decisions.

Financial Support

Applying for pharmaceutical, disability, or healthcare subsidies keeps treatment affordable. Charitable funds can assist with bills or equipment.

Platinum Home Health Care, Inc. is a leading provider of home health care services throughout the Chicagoland Area including McHenry, Lake, Boone, Winnebago, Kane, Cook, Will and DuPage counties.

Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Social Worker Services

What does a medical social worker do?

A medical social worker provides psychosocial support to patients and families dealing with acute, chronic or terminal illnesses. They help patients access programs and benefits, coordinate care between providers, assist with transitions between care settings, and offer mental health counseling.

How does a medical social worker help with discharge planning?

Medical social workers facilitate safe discharges from hospitals to home or other care facilities. They put in place the necessary medical equipment, medications, home health services, transportation and follow-up care required for a smooth transition.

Can a medical social worker help me apply for disability benefits?

Yes, medical social workers are experts in state and federal disability programs. They can help patients complete applications, compile medical records, and appeal any denied claims for Social Security Disability Insurance, Veterans Disability Benefits or other programs.

What kind of counseling does a medical social worker provide?

They provide therapy sessions to help patients and family caregivers process difficult emotions like grief, fear, anxiety and depression common when coping with illness. They also help strengthen family communication and teach coping techniques.

How can a medical social worker assist with advance care planning?

Medical social workers help elicit patients’ wishes for future medical care including resuscitation preferences, surrogate decision makers and goals of care. Documenting these details eases difficult decisions for family members later on.

Are services from a medical social worker covered by insurance?

Many health insurance plans do cover medical social work services depending on individual plan benefits. Contact your insurance provider to learn about your coverage and any potential out-of-pocket fees for accessing a medical social worker.

Do I need a referral to meet with a medical social worker?

To best coordinate your overall care, your primary doctor or specialist should provide a referral to work with a medical social worker. However some medical centers may allow you to directly schedule appointments with social workers as needed.

Skilled Nursing Care

Physical Therapy

Occupational Therapy

Speech Therapy