Medical Social Services

• Medical social services are provided by licensed social workers (often MSWs or LCSWs) and focus on helping patients and their families navigate the emotional, psychological, and practical aspects of living with illness or disability. Social workers also assist with accessing community resources and support systems.

Services include:

• Assessment of social and emotional support factors.
• Assistance with care planning: Helping families make decisions about care options.
• Coordination with community resources: Connecting families with resources such as transportation, financial aid, or meal delivery services.
• Patient advocacy: Helping patients and families navigate healthcare systems, insurance issues, and legal matters related to healthcare or end-of-life decisions.
• Benefits: Medical social services provide the emotional and logistical support necessary to help families deal with the practicalities of home care, as well as addressing the psychological aspects of caregiving and illness.