Social Work Month

March is a significant month! It celebrates Social Work Month. We want to take this chance to honor the many social workers who support vulnerable populations and help improve countless lives. This year’s theme, “Social Workers: Uplift. Defend. Transform,” perfectly captures the essence of these professionals.

The History of Social Work

It’s interesting to learn about the history of social work. In the late 1880s, Jane Addams, known as the “Mother of Social Work,” began her tireless work with educating immigrants, creating laws for the juvenile court system, improving city sanitation, and advocating for better factory regulations. Jane eventually became the first American woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

Every day, Hurley Elder Care Law collaborates with social workers at local hospitals, long-term care facilities, hospices, and care management companies, and relies heavily on these special relationships.

Meet some of our team

Our dedicated social workers, Nicole Lott and Diamond Waldon, serve as advocates and care specialists. They educate and support our clients and family members on aging issues, at-home care, care costs, placement options, and community resources. One of the most valued aspects of their work is helping clients and families understand the long-term care and health care systems and guiding them in securing long-term care placements. We understand that this can be highly stressful for families, and we approach our role as partners in these decisions with personal compassion.

A day in the life

A recent and typical example of our care coordinators’ support was when Susan called our office. Susan was overwhelmed because her mother, Joan, had just been hospitalized with a broken hip and a severe urinary tract infection. After surgery, Susan was told her mom would need to move to a rehab facility to regain her strength. She also realized her mom probably wouldn’t be able to live alone again, which she had suspected for some time. In this case, Diamond helped Susan’s family identify skilled nursing rehab facilities in their area with strong reputations that were most appropriate for Joan’s needs. When Joan was discharged from the hospital, Diamond met her at the nursing facility, completed a cognitive and care assessment, and ensured that the necessary legal documents (powers of attorney) were properly signed.

We’re with you for the long haul

But the support did not end there. Our team helped the family understand how skilled nursing facilities work, what to expect during rehabilitation, and how to secure a long-term care bed if their mother couldn’t return home and assisted living wasn’t an option.

If your family is facing care decisions for your aging loved one, contact Hurley Elder Care Law at 404-843-0121. We are happy to discuss your situation, explore options, and help you determine the best way to protect your assets.  Our intake call is always free.