What is the Service?

G.H.C. provides Social Service consultation to Long Term Care facilities. This consultation provides instruction and guidance to enhance quality of care, as well as resident quality of life specifically related to individualized psychosocial needs of Residents. Further, the consultation provides instruction and guidance to facilitate compliance with State and Federal regulations.

 How is This Accomplished?

There are several ways G.H.C. accomplishes the task of helping Social Services Departments meet the psychosocial needs of Residents. For new Social Service staff, G.H.C. provides orientation and training to ensure the staff member possesses the basic knowledge and skills required of a Social Worker within a long term care environment.

 For established departments, the Consultant will review both the systems and documentation to identify strengths as well as opportunities for growth. Training and ongoing support is then provided to enhance the knowledge and skill development, as well as compliance with State and Federal regulatory guidelines. 

 Ongoing consultation includes documentation review and related training to ensure compliance with Federal and State requirements. The review and training for documentation includes, but is not limited to, Assessment, Care Plan, Progress Note, RAP Summaries, and M.D.S. Review and training also ensures staff possess necessary knowledge and skills to utilize the Quality Indicator Profile to identify facility trends as well as individual needs of the Residents. A systems review includes Theft and Loss, Concerns and Grievances, Ancillary Services, Resident altercations and abuse allegation reporting. In addition, Social Service Consultants frequently assist in individual case review and the development of best practice guidelines for Resident care. Upon request, the Social Work Consultant will provide a Pre-Survey Review of a facility's Social Service Department to evaluate regulatory compliance.

 What other Services are Offered?

Consultants also provide a variety of In-service training upon request including, Psycho-Social Outcomes Severity Guidelines, Dementia training, Stress Management, Resident Rights, Sexuality and the Pursuit of Intimacy, and death & dying. Other in-service can be provided upon request.

What Are the Benefits?

Ensuring your Social Service Department has the knowledge and skills to meet residents' psychosocial needs enhances the quality of life for your Residents. In addition to improving the lives of individuals, supporting your Social Service Department will also help you to meet regulatory compliance. When Residents feel more satisfied it can lead to longer lengths of stay, fewer complaints and grievances, as well as more satisfied staff. When individuals are armed with the tools to do their job well it impacts performance and can lead to better staff retention.

 Who Are the Consultants?

G.H.C. employs experienced Social Work Consultants who are well acquainted with the diverse and sometimes overwhelming duties required of a Social Service Director in Long Term Care. Consultation is provided by degreed Social Workers and Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW). The Consultants are thoroughly familiar with both State and Federal regulations.