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Gussieo88 Asked November 2017

Can anyone help figure out a means of getting a social worker involved for my Mother?

I've been taking care of my Mother since Dec. 2017 as she had hip surgery that month and then later had carpal tunnel surgery in May 2017. I've been helping with driving her all over the place getting her to doctors appointments, grocery shopping, any other general errand type needs as well. At this point I'm concerned for my marriage as this has put a tremendous strain on it and I'm looking for a solution to the issue at hand. My Mom lives an hour away from my home up island so most of the time I'm living at her place in order to help her out. I'm thinking at this time we need to get a social worker involved because I can no longer keep this up-I'm pretty much burnt out. Money is a problem because my Mother only has SSI and has Medicare and Medicaid coverage. There's no way for my husband and I to help her financially as we've already done all that we could and now money is a concern for us as well. We are looking to get my Mother moved up island close to where we live so that if anything should come up I'll be able to run over to her relatively quickly. My husband and I have been keeping our eyes open for rentals in the general area up island but to no avail...they're all just too expensive! Anyway, I'm looking for help with how to talk to my Mother about getting a social worker involved because that is a tough topic to touch upon. I'm also looking for help with getting a social worker for Mom. If anyone is able to help out that would be great. Thanks for your time.

jeannegibbs Nov 2017
You can call her county's Human Services Department and ask for a needs assessment.

But ... if she is already on Medicaid, call her case worker! Usually there are two -- one financial and the other for care issues. The care case worker should be visiting at least twice a year. If you don't know who that is, see if you can find your mother's Medicaid paperwork. Or call your local Medicaid office and ask who her case worker is.

AliBoBali Nov 2017
Hospitals have one on staff or can contact, doctor's offices (if you know her doctors), your state (in the U.S.) Department of Aging. All can get you in touch with local social workers. Good luck!

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BarbBrooklyn Nov 2017
Are you in the States? As JJ says, your county Area Agency on Aging are the folks to contact.

jjariz Nov 2017
Call your Area Agency on Aging for help.

Dorianne Nov 2017
I don't know about America, but here in Canada, there are social workers working out of the hospitals. It's likely similar down there. Since your mom had two surgeries, contact a hospital social worker through the same hospital. (Just call the front desk and ask.) My mom is on dialysis, and the renal unit social worker has been invaluable to me in helping get resources and services for mom, and also acting as a liaison in some situations.

As for getting your mom to talk to a social worker, I suggest talking to the social worker first and seeing if s/he will contact your mother, or maybe you will need to work directly with the SW yourself, as I have done.

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