Geriatric Social Work
![Patient speaks with social worker, sitting at desk](/files/MSHealth/Assets/HS/Care/Geriatrics/MSHS-Geriatrics-SocialWork-2Col-770x420.jpg)
At Mount Sinai, social workers based in our hospitals and outpatient locations help you manage your medical care.
Services
Our social work staff is highly experienced in providing appropriate referrals to community programs for all of our patients, regardless of their medical condition.
Every patient seen at Mount Sinai can see a social worker for support. Our social workers work closely with our physicians to create a plan of care that addresses your specific needs.
Mount Sinai social workers are Master’s-prepared and state-licensed professionals who are knowledgeable about the full range of services available to older adults. They are skilled in providing individual and family counseling and advocacy around issues related to the challenges of the aging process.
Our services include:
- Advocating for patient and family needs in different settings, such as inpatient, outpatient, home, and in the community
- Arranging for resources and funds to finance medications, durable medical equipment, and other needed services
- Assistance in completing insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid to support needed medical and home-based services
- Coordinating transportation for adults unable to drive
- Ensuring communication and understanding about post-hospital care among patient, family, and health care team members
- Identifying resources for financial/insurance issues (including Medicare and Medicaid)
- Providing referrals for social programs such as adult day programs and senior centers
- Psychosocial evaluations
Counseling
Our social workers often help patients and loved ones with counseling services for a wide range of conditions and situations. Some of these topics include:
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Caregiver stress
- Coping with disability
- Depression and anxiety
- Elder abuse and neglect
- Family issues
- Following your plan of treatment
- Memory problems
Home Care
At Mount Sinai, our social workers are committed to ensuring our patients and families receive the attention they deserve both inside and outside of a hospital setting so that they can lead an independent life beyond Mount Sinai. We assess and coordinate home care needs based upon your condition and level of independence.
Completion of Medical Request for Home Care M11Q Forms
We provide assistance with the completion of Medical Request for Home Care M11Q forms. The M11Q is the only part of the home care assessment process in which someone speaking on behalf of the client states why he or she needs home care. The doctor's M11Q must give a complete picture of the client's needs and justify the amount of care requested.