Social Services
St. Mary's Social Services
staff members are experienced medical social workers who provide services for
patients in many departments and areas of St. Mary's Healthcare Center. They
work closely with other social workers in the community with a goal of meeting
psychosocial needs of individuals.
They work with patients and their families to anticipate and plan for health care and other resource needs, address financial concerns, and identify community resources to assist the patient upon discharge.
All of St. Mary's Social Services staff work with the interdisciplinary team serving a particular population, whether it is in acute care, long term care, dialysis, home health, hospice, the emergency room or ambulatory care.
When illness causes life changes, social workers help patients and families cope with the illness by providing support and helping them with grief and loss. They help to reduce the patients' and families' anxiety and assist in the adjustment of life changes resulting from the illness.
Medical social workers also work with victims of violence, including children who are abused or neglected, rape victims, victims of domestic violence and elders who are abused or neglected. They provide crisis intervention services for persons who are experiencing a mental health emergency, conducting assessments, providing counseling, and making referrals to address ongoing needs.
When someone requires long-term care, they help the patient and family with the adjustment to a new living environment, assist in completing financial applications for assistance, assist in completing advance directives, and address other needs as they arise.
For more information contact St. Mary's Social Services Department at 605-224-3437. In emergencies call St. Mary's Healthcare Center's switchboard at 605-224-3100.
