Social Workers

Our hospice social workers help you navigate care with calm, practical guidance. You receive counseling, resources, and advocacy so daily life feels more manageable and your goals remain at the center.

How Social Workers Help

• Emotional Support. Private conversations that ease stress, worry, and caregiver fatigue.
• Care Planning. Problem solving for routines, safety, and community resources.
• Benefits And Paperwork. Help with forms, programs, and referrals.
• Family Meetings. Facilitation so everyone understands the plan of care.
• Advance Care Planning. Guidance with living will, DNR, POLST, and healthcare power of attorney.

What To Expect

You can count on honest communication, culturally sensitive support, and quick follow through. We coordinate closely with your nurse, medical director, and chaplain so the right help arrives at the right time.

How We Select Our Team

Families feel the difference because of who we hire. All ACACIA employees are specially selected for highly caring and compassionate characteristics, and we look for people who live our core values in daily practice.

What this means for Social Work support

• Compassion you can feel – social workers who listen first and meet you where you are.
• Patient-first advocacy – your goals guide every recommendation and resource.
• Clear, transparent guidance – plain-language explanations of options, benefits, and next steps.
• Action when it matters – prompt follow-through on referrals, services, and care planning.
• Teamwork you can trust – seamless coordination with your nurse, chaplain, and physician so the right help arrives at the right time.

This values-based selection ensures your social worker brings both heart and skill to every visit, helping your family feel supported, informed, and never alone.

Our Approach

• Whole-family support. We help patients, spouses, partners, children, and caregivers cope and communicate.
• Action-oriented. We make things happen with timely referrals, benefit checks, and community connections.
• Team-based care. Your social worker coordinates with the nurse, medical director, chaplain, aides, and pharmacist so the plan of care stays aligned and effective.

What We Can Coordinate

• Benefits & coverage: Medicare/Medi-Cal questions, hospice benefit explanations, durable medical equipment and supplies, medications related to the hospice diagnosis.
• Community resources: In-home help, meal and transportation programs, caregiver respite, dementia support, and veteran services.
• Placement support: If home is no longer safe, we discuss options and collaborate on transitions to assisted living or skilled nursing when appropriate.
• Crisis planning: 24/7 escalation pathways, Continuous Home Care, and coordination for General Inpatient Care when symptoms require it.

Support For Caregivers

• Skills & confidence: Coaching for safe transfers, routines, and boundary-setting that reduces burnout.
• Stress tools: Brief techniques for sleep, anxiety, and overwhelm; referrals for counseling or groups.
• Family meetings: Facilitated conversations so everyone understands the plan and how to help.

During Hospital Or Facility Stays

If hospitalization or a short-term facility stay occurs, your social worker keeps everyone connected coordinating with case managers, clarifying goals of care, and expediting a safe return to the preferred setting when possible.

How To Prepare For A Visit

• Think about priorities for the week and any new stressors.
• Gather insurance cards and recent paperwork if you have questions.
• List important contacts (physicians, clergy, caregivers).
• Tell us what matters most today so we can tailor support.

Common Questions

How often will a social worker visit?
Frequency depends on your goals and the plan of care. We increase visits during times of greater need.

Is social work covered by hospice benefits?
Yes. Hospice social work is part of the Medicare hospice benefit and most private plans. We verify coverage and explain details.

Can you help with financial or housing issues?
Yes. We connect you with programs, grants, and community resources and coordinate with agencies as needed.

Do you support children and teens?
Yes. We provide age-appropriate education, coping tools, and referrals to specialized counselors or groups.

Can we request a family meeting?
Absolutely. Your social worker will schedule and facilitate the conversation, align next steps, and document decisions.