A Day in the Life of a Hospice Social Worker
“Today a new sun rises for me, everything lives, everything is animated, everything seems to speak to me of my passion, everything invites me to cherish it”.
I am a Social Worker with the Family Support Service and I have been given an opportunity to share with you a snapshot of my day and the work I do. I would not call it typical, as the nature of the work is wide and varied, no two days are the same. Here’s my story:
The day begins with checking if any new referrals have come into the office as well as reading my emails, responding to phone messages and phone calls.
I have three home visits scheduled, two are new referrals from the community nurses requesting social work support. The other is a bereavement visit.
The geographical area we cover is between Drury and Mt Wellington. Today my community visits take me to Papakura, Mangere Bridge and Otahuhu.
Around 9.30am I leave for Papakura to see Sue who is 34, married with 3 young children. She has breast cancer which has now spread. She recently learnt she has a brain tumour. Her husband John is giving up his job to care for her at home and would like to discuss their financial concerns.
My first visit involves completing a psychosocial assessment with Sue and her husband. The assessment will provide me with information which will highlight the areas of major concerns and stresses this young couple are faced with and how best I can support and assist them. Today they are needing a lot of emotional support and guidance with accessing financial support through Work and Income (WINZ). There are extra expenses, worry about keeping up mortgage and bill payments and how to maintain a routine at home. They struggle with the fear of the unknown and Sues’ emotional pain of leaving behind Sue’s young children and husband. They talk about planning a funeral, needing to make a Will. They look for ways of helping their children understand her illness and knowing how to answer their questions, worries and fears. Their tears and sadness flow. This is heavy. I stay in the moment as they express their grief. I offer my knowledge of resources for children, link them in to WINZ and provide information about Wills and Enduring Powers of Attorney. I have been with them for about an hour and a half. I leave knowing they also have a strong network of family support around them. We have agreed to meet again next week.
My next home visit is in Mangere Bridge to visit Jack aged 60 who lives with his wife Eleanor. He has been diagnosed with lung cancer which has spread to his spine. As he is becoming less mobile, care at home was becoming harder for his wife to cope with. They would like to discuss their options for ongoing care. When I arrive I find them both in distress and the decision to go into residential care has been made by them. Eleanor wants to know how to go about placement. I contact their GP who supports this move. I will also talk to their community nurse to inform her of the situation. I also explore the possibility with her, of Jack coming into Hospice until something is organised long term. The outcome was that he was admitted to the In Patient Unit which was a huge relief to them both. Discussions about long term care and attending to their emotional wellbeing could be continued in this setting.
My last home visit is a bereavement visit which takes me to Otahuhu where I meet with Helen, she has been caring for her husband Joe at home for the past 3 months. She took time out from her job to do this. She has cared for him beautifully with the help of her sons until he passed away two days ago. They had been struggling on a reduced income and I had been advocating for financial help and supporting her throughout the benefit application process which had many delays. There are many family present so I offer my condolences. Helen leads me into the lounge where her husband is lying. We talk few words, she is pleased he is at peace now. I offer to visit again in a couple of weeks. “I head back to the office reflecting on my day and thinking about the amazing people I meet.”
Each day has its challenges and no day is the same. I try to assist patients and families at such a critical time by providing comfort and words of encouragement. Sometimes things seem so difficult and you often wonder how things will come together. The special part of the job is the experience of witnessing the triumph of the human spirit.
The work could be overwhelming without an emphasis on team support, self care, and maturity. Back at the office I now have to write up my notes on MedTech. There are phone messages and phone calls still to attend to. But I need a coffee. Around 5-5.30pm I think all is done for the day. There is another day tomorrow.
(The patient & family member names have been changed to protect their privacy.) Beryl McElroy
Social Worker
Family Support Service.
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