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Social Worker to Social Worker

As a case manager or social worker, you probably often find yourself providing families with lists of alternatives for meeting the care needs of the senior or disabled individual. Since families are focused on the physical and logistical aspects of caring for a loved one, they tend not to ask about resources that will help meet their loved one's social needs. Yet most frail elderly and disabled individuals are cared for at home, putting them at risk of being isolated from friends and community.

Studies have shown the importance of regular social interaction in enhancing self-esteem, and in reducing depression, anxiety and behavioral problems. Socialization plays a significant role in managing chronic pain, and can even reduce the number of medications a patient needs. Professionals need to alert family caregivers to the psychological and health benefits of socialization, and to point them towards resources that will help meet this essential human need.

Adult Day Services (ADS) programs provide excellent socialization opportunities and benefits. From the moment a person enters a program, all of his or her needs -- both social and physical -- are taken into consideration. A new participant and his or her family undergo an extensive evaluation process by the staff. This process leads to a care plan that is used to make their experience in the program as meaningful as possible. Staff then monitor the participant continually and interact with families and medical providers as needed.

ADS programs integrate many services into their daily routine. Attendees do not have to worry about remembering their medication or when (or what) to eat. They no longer need to feel apprehensive about who will take care of them during the day or what they will do with their time, nor do they spend the day watching TV or waiting for their caregiver to get home. Those who are physically or mentally challenged can relax with others who face similar challenges, while caring staff and volunteers assist them with their personal needs. Participants know there is always someone to listen to them, encourage them and support their efforts.

Positive reinforcement received on a daily basis is powerful. ADS participants carry an improved sense of self-esteem over into their home life, giving their caregivers a chance to see them as a vital individuals, not just needy persons. Moreover, many families believe that their loved one actually lived longer, contrary to medical prognosis, because they had a day of social activities to look forward to.

Case managers and social workers can rely on Adult Day Services programs to comply with their treatment plans and offer a structured environment. Studies have shown that seniors who attend Adult Day Services programs are more likely to follow their medication regime and other prescribed treatments.

A critical but often overlooked effect of Adult Day Service is the benefit to the family caregiver's own health. The Journal of the American Medical Association recently reported that caregivers had a 64% higher mortality rate than control subjects who were not responsible for a spouse's care. Faced with the intense demands of their caregiving role, family caregivers tend to lose sight of their own needs. Many times it is their children or a family physician who recognize the signs of stress and insist on seeking help. The simple act of scheduling days at an Adult Day Service program can lessen a caregiver's level of stress and lead to a reawakening of his or her sense of self.

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