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Sunday, January 29, 2012
Friday, January 27, 2012
Gaps in the system
What are some of the biggest gaps you come across with your clients?
Do any of them make your job more difficult because you find yourself having to take on certain responsibilities to an extent that really should NOT be yours to take on?
Or do you find yourself just spending more time in general on one client with an issue and as a result, neglecting others on your caseload?
For my clientele, the biggest problems I've been running into are no one to help manage a person's $$$ who cannot do so when they first come into the community (we can refer to APS but that's a big long drawn out process) and this also happens because family does not want the responsibility (which I totally get), lack of funds when a client first comes into the community setting from a nursing home (pantries only go so far, especially if you are on a specialized diet) and a HUGE gap.....there really are no agencies left anymore who are accepting clients who need weekly pre-pours and medication monitoring.
We've been referring to pharmacies to do blister pack deliveries but this can still be tough for many a client for a variety of reasons. Our staff are also not allowed to handle meds.
Some of our case managers have been dipping into their own pockets to help clients out financially when they first are discharged, but they can't afford to do this for long (even if our agency reimburses them), and not only that, it sets up a dynamic of dependence and entitlement from the very start which is NOT good.
It has also been suggested that our agency be a rep-payee for many a client, but that is highly unethical.
Regarding the pre-pours, some of our nurses have gotten stuck with that responsibility too, and it often creates problems and takes away from their regular duties and clients.
I always say that way back when some person designed the program I work for, they never thought of these needs to be implemented into the program and now they have exploded, sometimes making the job impossible, and also putting the client at risk.
In order for any major change to go through, it has to go through the government too, and you all know how fast that will happen......
Do you have any of these same issues? How have you dealt with them?
All suggestions (and venting too!) welcomed!
Do any of them make your job more difficult because you find yourself having to take on certain responsibilities to an extent that really should NOT be yours to take on?
Or do you find yourself just spending more time in general on one client with an issue and as a result, neglecting others on your caseload?
For my clientele, the biggest problems I've been running into are no one to help manage a person's $$$ who cannot do so when they first come into the community (we can refer to APS but that's a big long drawn out process) and this also happens because family does not want the responsibility (which I totally get), lack of funds when a client first comes into the community setting from a nursing home (pantries only go so far, especially if you are on a specialized diet) and a HUGE gap.....there really are no agencies left anymore who are accepting clients who need weekly pre-pours and medication monitoring.
We've been referring to pharmacies to do blister pack deliveries but this can still be tough for many a client for a variety of reasons. Our staff are also not allowed to handle meds.
Some of our case managers have been dipping into their own pockets to help clients out financially when they first are discharged, but they can't afford to do this for long (even if our agency reimburses them), and not only that, it sets up a dynamic of dependence and entitlement from the very start which is NOT good.
It has also been suggested that our agency be a rep-payee for many a client, but that is highly unethical.
Regarding the pre-pours, some of our nurses have gotten stuck with that responsibility too, and it often creates problems and takes away from their regular duties and clients.
I always say that way back when some person designed the program I work for, they never thought of these needs to be implemented into the program and now they have exploded, sometimes making the job impossible, and also putting the client at risk.
In order for any major change to go through, it has to go through the government too, and you all know how fast that will happen......
Do you have any of these same issues? How have you dealt with them?
All suggestions (and venting too!) welcomed!
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Friday, January 20, 2012
TGIF
It's been a very long week and I don't know about anybody else around here, but this social worker is BEYOND happy that the weekend is upon her.
Some of the things that happened for me this week:
Business trip with my 2 male bosses. Always awkward and uncomfortable.....
Began the journey to look at nursery schools for my son. Competition is very fierce out there, even at the age of 3. The process has to be started in January however to guarantee a spot for September.
Dealt with some more personal/family drama. And it's not over yet ;).
Finally, I can't provide a lot of details in case it winds up in the media, however, one of my most favorite clients ever found out this week that they WILL be going to jail. Yours truly got to go to break the news to them. I think everyone in the room was crying :(.
So yeah, it has been a VERY rough week around here.
What about you? How are things going out there in Socialworkland?
Some of the things that happened for me this week:
Business trip with my 2 male bosses. Always awkward and uncomfortable.....
Began the journey to look at nursery schools for my son. Competition is very fierce out there, even at the age of 3. The process has to be started in January however to guarantee a spot for September.
Dealt with some more personal/family drama. And it's not over yet ;).
Finally, I can't provide a lot of details in case it winds up in the media, however, one of my most favorite clients ever found out this week that they WILL be going to jail. Yours truly got to go to break the news to them. I think everyone in the room was crying :(.
So yeah, it has been a VERY rough week around here.
What about you? How are things going out there in Socialworkland?
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Friday, January 13, 2012
Source: google.com.br via Gatti on Pinterest
It's Friday!!
How was your week so far everyone?
So far, so good in this part of the world. AND today is pay-day too :). Can't get much better than that. (Well, except if I had no bills and win the lottery my co-workers and I entered this weekend).
On a sadder note, I do have to ask that you all keep one of my clients in your thoughts.
I can't share any details but I know they need as much positive that exists out there right now to be on their side. This is probably one of the most serious situations I have heard happening to someone I have ever worked with.
Wells, it is time for me to hop in the shower so I can start my day.
I am actually planning on going into the office for a few hours this morning to get some work done!
As I've mentioned in the past, I generally work from home on Fridays but since DH and DS are here today, anything productive for my job would not be happening at home.
Hope you all have a great Friday and a wonderful weekend, and thanks for following.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Source: feelingabitartsy.tumblr.com via Rachel on Pinterest
Happy Social Work Wednesday all!
What kind of hope are you keeping on your list for this week?
For both your clients and yourselves?
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Crazy dreams
I had one of these last night and just woke up and cannot get it out of my head.
I went alone to visit someone random I chit chat with from time to time.
We ate fried chicken prepared for us fresh from the coop behind a little restaurant.
At one point, we were taking in some different sites in California. Then, we took a train and instantly, we were back at her building which was in a completely different state across the country.
I was then rushing to the airport to catch my flight home and realized I forgot my ID.
I had to travel back to her home, and could not remember her apartment #, last name or even the name of the city I was in currently.
I was getting off the elevator at each floor to try to remember her apartment, and no floor looked familiar to me.
Everywhere I was surrounded by ballerinas. Kinda like that movie Black Swan LOL.
That's when I woke up.
Yikes. I'm still sweating here.
I went to a dream interpretation site and I guess I must have a lot of underlying crazy going on in my life right now to dream such a dream. (Or perhaps it was just the spicy chips I ate before bedtime.)
Have you dreamt anything crazy that has stayed with you lately?
I went alone to visit someone random I chit chat with from time to time.
We ate fried chicken prepared for us fresh from the coop behind a little restaurant.
At one point, we were taking in some different sites in California. Then, we took a train and instantly, we were back at her building which was in a completely different state across the country.
I was then rushing to the airport to catch my flight home and realized I forgot my ID.
I had to travel back to her home, and could not remember her apartment #, last name or even the name of the city I was in currently.
I was getting off the elevator at each floor to try to remember her apartment, and no floor looked familiar to me.
Everywhere I was surrounded by ballerinas. Kinda like that movie Black Swan LOL.
That's when I woke up.
Yikes. I'm still sweating here.
I went to a dream interpretation site and I guess I must have a lot of underlying crazy going on in my life right now to dream such a dream. (Or perhaps it was just the spicy chips I ate before bedtime.)
Have you dreamt anything crazy that has stayed with you lately?
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Don't know about you guys......
Source: missmoss.co.za via Julia on Pinterest
but I would love to call in Cold! at work today.
Yes, I've been unseasonably spoiled with warmer weather this winter, and yes, I do realize it IS January afterall, but it's still a total shock to my system dealing with the weather when it dips down to freezing level.
Even my pipes can't keep up and my house is like a total icebox.
Anyways, today I am totally thankful though I no longer depend on public transportation to get to and from work. Now those days really used to suck.
Happy Hump day everyone!!! Hope you are staying warm and toasty wherever you are.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Day off
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I have today off from work since New Year's fell on Sunday.
I have nothing big planned, which is totally fine by me.
Need to take DS to the pediatrician. He has a cold and a "smell" coming from his nose.
Then I have to fold and put away a fairly large pile of laundry that is quickly multiplying in my basement.
Later I hope to get back to the mat for my first Bikram class of 2012. I haven't been in probably about a week now and need to get back into the yoga groove.
Do you have off today? What are your plans, if any? How was your New Year's weekend? Anything big coming up this week at work?
I am looking forward to heading back tomorrow. I have a couple of intakes planned in the AM then writing, writing and more writing of client plans as usual :)
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