Ch. 6 Reflection

 Chapter 6 discusses the history and basics of a nursing home along with the duties and regulations of a social worker in this type of facility. The very first "nursing homes" were founded in the early 1800's and referred to as a county home, poorhouse, poor farm, or almshouse. In these years a nursing home was more used as a safe place to provide care for the homeless, alcoholics, addicted, brain damaged, and demented elderly. Over the years nursing homes have changed tremendously and evolved into a very big and demanding franchise. "Nursing homes in the United States today are a mix of proprietary, voluntary, and public" (Cowles, p.231). In 1997, the average cost a month for residents at a nursing home was $3,643. Although being a residents of a nursing home can be expensive, Medicare and Medicaid, both provide support for those who need it. "Together, Medicare and Medicaid helped pay for nursing home care for a total of 3,164,000 persons during 1998" (Cowles, p. 234). The basic reasons that a nursing home was first created is to provide care for people who have health problems and do not necessarily require hospital care, but are no longer to take care of themselves alone. "This type of care means providing the patient with the tools, equipment, services, environmental supports, income supports, and supportive interpersonal interactions they require to maximize their comfort and function" (Cowles, p. 239). In a nursing home, a social worker  is used to identify and also meet the social and emotional needs of each and every residents. They are in charge of discharge, working with the family and residents to cope with the effects of their illness or disability and the next steps that have to be taken, and also to use the appropriate resources such as; community, social and health. A social worker in the nursing home are a huge help and do everything they can to ensure that the patient feels as safe as possible and their family and friends, also feel the same way. All nursing homes vary in many different ways, but one thing that is the same is that no matter where it is located; a nursing home and their staff strive to help all residents in every way possible.

References:
Cowles, L. A. F. (2003). Social work in the health field: A care perspective. Routledge.