Social Workers – A Caring Profession

March is National Social Work Month when we recognize the importance of social workers and the critical role they play in helping improve the lives of others. This year’s theme from the National Association of Social Workers is “Social Work Breaks Barriers,” which focuses on how social workers help individuals, families, and communities overcome personal, economic, and social challenges. Social work is considered a caring profession. Helping others and making the community a better place is a driving force in social work. 

Social Workers Break Down Barriers

Social workers are highly skilled professionals trained to examine and holistically address life’s problems. They elevate and empower people, giving them the ability to cope with personal roadblocks and help them navigate the health and social services network so they can get the resources they need. Social workers can be found in organizations throughout the community including schools, hospitals, clinics, senior centers, child welfare organizations, addiction treatment centers, and community-based organizations like Boston Senior Home Care. 

“A social worker’s role is to help individuals and families achieve their fullest potential, which often requires breaking down economic, social or political barriers to getting them the services they need,” said Susan Tena, MSW, LICSW, Senior Director of Program Development. “They help people overcome challenges by developing interventions or care plans to help them get the services and supports they need. For example, if a family is struggling to afford healthy food, a social worker can help them apply for nutritional assistance, such as SNAP.”

The primary mission of the social work profession is to help meet the basic human needs of all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty. “At Boston Senior Home Care, our social workers are experts at understanding the needs of the culturally diverse and often underserved people we care for,” said Abigail Swanson, LICSW, Caregiver Advisor in the Caregiver Solutions program. “Many of our consumers live in difficult circumstances where emotional suffering and stress are commonplace including our caregiver and home care programs.  Social workers work collaboratively and individually and play a key role in connecting consumers with support services while acting as an advocate and advisor.”  

Connecting caregivers with in-home services and supports to help them care for an aging loved one or family member is a powerful example of how social workers make a difference in people’s lives. For example, they can help arrange for in-home safety modifications such as grab bars to be installed in the home, and arrange for respite care or an adult day health program.

Community-based organizations, such as Boston Senior Home Care, rely on the commitment, expertise, and compassion of social workers who work tirelessly to address the needs of those we serve. During Social Work Month, let’s take time to thank social workers for dedicating their lives to helping people live healthy and fulfilling lives.

If you need services and supports but don’t know where to turn, contact us. We are here to help you!