Social Services
We are Here for You.
Our Licensed Clinical Social Workers work across disciplines to help you and your family cope with the emotional and social concerns that are often connected to illness or injury. Our professional social services team can offer patients assistance in terms of patient care plans, evaluations, after care plans and referrals. They are also clinically trained to provide compassionate counseling for patients and families experiencing the difficulties of illness, rehabilitation, and grief.
Services provided by our social workers
- Assisting with decision making related to the patient’s plan of care
- Helping patients adjust to lifestyle changes brought on by illness or injury
- Grief and loss counseling
- Assisting patients and family in complying with a physician’s recommended plan of care
- Counseling patients and family in times of conflict or crisis
- Providing referrals to community resources, such as substance abuse treatment or mental health services
- Providing referrals to nursing homes or assisted living facilities
- Evaluating cases of possible abuse
- Support Groups
Supportive care
Supportive Care focuses on the comprehensive management of the physical, emotional, cultural, and spiritual needs of patients and their family members dealing with the progression of advanced disease. It affirms life and regards dying as a natural process and a profoundly personal experience. Supportive Care neither hastens nor postpones death, but seeks to relieve suffering, control symptoms, and restore functional capacity while remaining sensitive to personal, cultural, and spiritual beliefs.
The Supportive Care team works closely with the patient’s physician and caregivers to assist the patient in enhancing his or her quality of life. Members of the multidisciplinary team include the patient, caregivers, physicians, primary nurse, supportive care nurse, care manager, social worker, chaplain, pharmacist, nursing assistants, and dietitian.
Supportive Care Nurse4200 Houma Blvd.
Metairie, LA 70006
504.503.4997
Components of the supportive care program
- Advance directives
- Symptom management
- Collaboration with patient, family members and physicians in the establishment and clarification of the patient’s plan of care
- Spiritual and cultural counsel
- Legal and ethical considerations
- Education and preparation for time of death
- Grief, loss and bereavement counseling
- Life completion goals and tasks
- Emotional support
- Support Groups
Grief Support Group
The group is open to anyone who has lost a loved one to illness or other causes. Meetings are every Wednesday from 6:30-8 pm. Call 504.503.5000 for location.
Compassionate Friends
This group is for families coping with the loss of a child. Meetings are the second Monday of each month from 7-9 pm in the hospital’s Conference Center. Call 504.503.5000 for more information.
Depression and healing
We know that depression can have a devastating effect on your daily life. It makes work difficult and strains relationships. For someone who has had a major illness or injury, it can be even more damaging. Depression can delay the healing process and hinder the ability to move forward.
What can we do?
If your friend or family member seems to be experiencing illness or injury-related depression, it is important to show as much support and encouragement as you can. The person has to want to succeed at recovery, but your encouragement can help them find that motivation. Make sure the patient knows that he or she is needed and that you want them to regain their physical health and continue to be a part of your life.
Simple ways to show you care
It’s important for a patient in rehabilitation to know they are not alone or forgotten. Isolation and boredom can quickly lead to depression. The following are some of the ways you can offer encouragement to a recovering loved one:
- Send flowers or gifts. A surprise gift makes anyone’s day, especially if they’re in the hospital. Talk to the patient’s nurses to find out what types of gifts are most appropriate.
- Have grandchildren, nieces or nephews draw pictures or make cards. It’s hard not to be cheered by a child’s colorful creation.
- Make signs to hang in the patient’s room. Something that says ‘way to go,’ ‘great job,’ or ‘we love you’ can help the patient find motivation.
- Send postcards or notes. Just a line or two will remind the patient that you are thinking about him.
- Bring photographs of family, friends or pets to display in the patient’s room. If the person has a special keepsake, it might also help to make the patient’s room more comfortable.
- Visit as often as you can. Ask the nurses on the unit when you can and should visit. If you can’t get to the hospital, make a phone call.
- Bring the newspaper when you visit. Talk about what’s happening on the news. Keeping up on current events can help the patient stay in touch with the outside world.
- Participate in family conferences and therapy observations. Your involvement in therapy will help the patient both physically and emotionally. This is especially important if you will be one of the patient’s caregivers after discharge.
- Celebrate holidays. If the patient is hospitalized over a holiday or birthday, bring a small celebration to him.
