Hospital Social Workers are a valuable resource to patients and families. From helping you understand your diagnosis to easing your transition back home, they help you and your family address your social, financial, and psychological needs related to your hospital stay.
We have three certified social workers, Tricia Thayer, Sarah Hageman, and Alynn Risseeuw who are available Monday thru Friday to help answer your questions about discharge planning, connect you to appropriate community resources, and ease the process of staying in the hospital. The Hospital Social work team is here to help and support those in need.
Tricia Thayer, CSW Sarah Hageman, CSW Alynn Risseeuw, CSW
The next time you or your family member is in the hospital, look for the social worker. They are your sounding board, your advocate, and your support system. They are there for you.
Ways your Hospital Social Worker can help you:
Discharge and post hospital planning.
- Work with your insurance company to receive prior authorizations for post-acute care needs (rehab, medications, equipment, etc.)
- Connect you with community resources to provide you with basic needs and security, such as clothing, food, or a place to stay.
- Help find ways to afford your medication with referrals to community resources and work alongside the pharmacist to find less expensive versions of your medications.
- Assist with coordinating transportation back home or to your next place of care.
- Refer you to mental and behavioral health counseling services to help with issues like anxiety, depression, and addiction.
Coordinate where you are going after you discharge from the hospital.
- Swing Beds, for short term rehabilitation.
- Skilled nursing facilities, for long-term rehabilitation.
- Acute rehabilitation hospitals, for intensive physical, occupational and speech therapies.
- Long term acute care hospitals, for patients with complex medical needs requiring specialized care.
- Assisted living, for those patients who may need continued assistance with their activities of daily living.
- Drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers, for inpatient or residential treatment.
Provide you with the medical equipment you need to recover.
- Walkers, wheelchairs, canes, or crutches.
- Hospital beds.
- Oxygen machines and accessories.
- Commode chairs.
- Pressure-reducing beds and mattresses.
Connect you with other resources in the hospital and in the community.
- Mental health and substance abuse services.
- Food bank resources.
- Office of Aging programs.
- Home Health for skilled nursing and/or skilled rehab
- Private duty home care aide information.
- Advanced Care Planning.
- Help you apply for financial services, such as Medicaid or Social Security Disability benefits.
- Provide information on community services for women and children, such as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and early intervention services.
Provide comfort.
- Answer your questions about your care.
- Ensure you understand what your medical care team is doing.
- Provide comfort for your family and answer any questions they may have.
- Get in touch with your loved ones to keep them up to date.
- Contact a chaplain.