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Perception is Everything for Our Social Workers

March 2008 Enterprise article by Mary Odbert

“Abby didn’t want to talk to me about her situation when I first met her," said Suzanne Trygar, M.S.W., Yolo Hospice Manager of Social Work and Chaplaincy. “Abby was crass – she said it like it was. She’d smoke and, in the afternoon, have a high-ball. She was a go-getter like the Eveready bunny. Although, she was a bit abrupt she had a good sense of humor and touched my heart.”

People hear the title, “Social Worker” and often think a government “big brother” type spy is coming to see them.  It is a misconception. A social worker is dedicated to the patient. The social worker’s goal and reward are bound up in helping their patients function in society, which is where the “social” in the name comes from.

The desire to help is what brings some social workers to be employed in government social programs; however, “professional social workers” work in many areas of community life. They help people get services. They provide counseling and psychotherapy and help provide or improve social and health services. They do this through private practice, private organizations and nonprofits that serve individuals and families in need – like Yolo Hospice.

Social workers are an integral part of the Yolo Hospice team. They handle some of the most profound facets of hospice care and enable us to help people fully live the final days of their lives by focusing on the whole person, body-mind-spirit. Mind and spirit are the areas most often addressed by the social workers.

According to Trygar, social workers are usually part of the initial team patients meet because Yolo Hospice wants the patient to have every opportunity to bond with the social workers and get the most support Yolo Hospice can give.

The bond is sometimes slow in coming because of the perception of social workers. “It is only after a patient sees us as people that we get anything done and can really help them,” says Trygar. Once established, the bond between social worker and patient goes both ways.

“Patients make an impression and stay with you after they are gone,” said Trygar. “For me, in particular, there was Abby. She made her own decisions until the last few days of her life. She was always a strong willed, hard working woman, with many ties and memories of the area that she liked to share.”

The role of the social worker is critical because they have skills and knowledge to help patients navigate through a new world of health care services, plans and organizations – they give support and information that help patients make their own decisions. They also provide critical emotional support to the individual and their family who have just been told that they don’t have long to live. They are problem solvers and want to help.

“We support the patients at whatever level they want and need,” says Trygar. “Feeling successful means I got something done for the patient. At first Abby didn’t need me. She didn’t want to talk about death. It was a gradual process as she gained more confidence in me, and I was able to build rapport and trust with her.”

Helping each patient is different. In Abby’s case, Trygar ended up supporting her through the very real concept of dying. In some cases, social workers help write advance directives or make funeral arrangements. In other cases, they help the family more than the actual patient.

“In one of my most difficult cases, the patient had dementia,” said Suzanne. “I’d sit and read children’s books to her. She liked the colors, images and attention.” Trygar had a limited role with the patient, but knew her time with the patient was well spent.  “It was the patient’s family that needed most of my help,” said Trygar. There were a number of family members. They were all dealing differently with the fact that their mother had dementia and was dying. Trygar needed to act as a facilitator or mediator for them.

Even in the role of mediator the social workers are rewarded. “Patient and families are very resourceful. All I do is help them sort through what’s going on. They always step up and find the best solution for their family. I don’t tell them what to do.”

Far from being a government agent, social workers actively seek ways to help people continue to thrive as individuals in their environment. This desire makes them a critical part of the Yolo Hospice team as we encourage people to live well until they die. We try to honor every moment of life.

“Dying is always sad,” said Trygar. “If I can provide support and assistance, helping to ease the sadness, then that is tremendously rewarding for me.”

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Quotes

Judy Norton
"Coping with terminal illness is all consuming for patient and family. As a hospice nurse, I feel it is most important to advocate, respect and use the knowledge we have to make the end of life the most comfortable it can be while always keeping in mind the unique needs of each patient."
~Jody Norton, RN