Outreach and Social Work

Professional social workers are available throughout the region to help individuals with their unique needs.

They work with individuals whose need for income or services compromises their ability to live independently and they help them obtain the services and benefits they require. Our social workers offer the following assistance to community members:

• Outreach: reaching out to identify isolated individuals and helping them use available community programs and services.
• Assessment: evaluating an older or disabled person's health, social, environmental and financial needs and recommending sources of help.
• Care management: arranging for appropriate and economical services to meet an individual's needs; working with family members and service providers; adjusting the level of services to accommodate changes in an individual's situation.
• Advocacy: assisting an individual to obtain services for which she or he is eligible but is not able to secure independently.
• Counseling: helping individuals and families to solve problems, mobilize resources and develop the abilities needed to cope with changing circumstances.

The council's social service and outreach program is available to elderly individuals who are concerned about their health, housing, income, medical expenses or family situation. The services also are available to disabled persons who are living at home and need assistance and to relatives who are concerned about their disabled or elderly family members.

In addition, the program is available to concerned friends and neighbors; employers; attorneys or bankers managing the affairs of older or disabled adults living at home; physicians, health professionals and public officials working to arrange services for an older adult; clergy providing assistance to an elderly or disabled adult and the family; and anyone involved in the decision to place an individual in a nursing home.

Contributions are accepted to defray the costs of providing outreach and social services, but they are not required. Anyone who needs the assistance of a professional social worker is welcome to contact the closest senior center for help.