Social Services at Holzer Medical Center in Gallipolis

Social workers help patients and their families cope with the many challenges that accompany illness, disability, and other life changes.

At the Social Services department of Holzer Medical Center, Gallipolis, our staff of five trained social workers are experienced professionals, possessing either a Bachelor or Masters Degree in Social Work, and are licensed by the State of Ohio. Each staff member is knowledgeable and skilled at providing social services to patients and their families, helping with decision-making and problem solving, adjusting to new situations, and obtaining needed resources and services. We are here to help. Social work works!

If you wish to call or email the Social Services department at Holzer Medical Center, Gallipolis, please visit the Holzer Medical Center, Gallipolis contact page.

Social Services at Holzer Medical Center

The Social Services department is committed to supporting our patients and their families meet and manage the challenges they face. Social workers provide a range of services, specific to each patient’s need and situation.

Social workers hope and help, everyday, and everywhere. We provide:

• Supportive counseling
• Caregiver support
• Crisis intervention
• Child and adult protective services
• Guidance with financial and insurance problems
• Easing transition to home or alternate living settings
• Help in communicating with physicians, family, and friends
• Prescription assistance information
• Referrals for home care, nursing facilities, rehabilitation centers, assisted living, or hospice
• Help with living will or durable medical power of attorney and DNR code status
• Domestic violence and sexual assault
• Mental health and behavior problems
• Resources related to diagnosis and advocacy

Social workers serve as a liaison between medical personnel, patients, and their families.
We work with patients at all levels of treatment including preadmission and initial assessment of needs, tending to the physical and emotional necessities of the patient during treatment, discharge planning, and post hospital support.

Social workers lend support and assist patients and families in maximizing the benefits of their health care. We benefit patients and families through providing high risk screening, psychosocial assessment and counseling, patient and family advocacy, psycho-education, information and referral, discharge planning, outpatient linkage, consultation, collaboration, outpatient linkage, and continuity of care.

Patients Served by the Social Services Department

At the Social Services department of Holzer Medical Center, Gallipolis, we routinely screen hospital admissions to assess medical and social risk factors. These include patients admitted due to stroke, hip fracture, immobility, altered mental status, chronic medical conditions, change in functional capacity, or life-limited illness. Social risk factors include patients identified with a lack of basic resources, no known formal or informal support system, and suspected victims of neglect or abuse.

Social workers coordinate home health referrals for patients being discharged with skilled nursing and therapy needs, new nursing home placement, rehab, assisted living, or hospice services. We facilitate transfers to Veterans Administration facilities. Additionally, social workers help arrange home and outpatient intravenous antibiotic therapy, TPN infusion, intravenous pain control, and hydration.

We assist with linkage to community resources. Meal delivery, homemaker, transportation, and home waiver services available through senior citizens or department of human services or Passport referrals through Area of Agency are coordinated through Social Services. Social workers also facilitate referrals for durable medical equipment to the vendor choice of the patient.

Insurance and Payment Methods

There is no fee for social work services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Medicare cover in a nursing facility?

Medicare pays for the first twenty days of an admission to a skilled nursing facility (SNF). If a patient continues to meet Medicare guidelines, coverage may be available up to 100 days. Many supplemental insurance policies cover Medicare co-insurance in a nursing facility.

How long does Medicare pay?

In a skilled nursing facility, coverage is at 100% for twenty days, and a co-insurance amount is required between the 21st and 100th day. Medicare can pay up to the first 60 days of an acute admission before co-insurance payments are required. Regular hospital days do rebuild once a patient is out of the hospital for a designated length of time.

What is home health?

Home Health is beneficial for patients who continue to have skilled nursing or therapy needs after their hospital discharge. This can include nursing, home health aide, physical therapy, occupational or speech therapist visits. A home health aide can be provided if a skilled nursing or therapy need is identified. Medicare Part A covers home health at 100%. Medicare Part B may also provide coverage for home health as does Medicaid and most major medical health plans.

What facilities/resources are located in my county?

The social worker is available to assist you in identifying nursing facilities, home health agencies, assistive living, rehabilitation facilities, hospice, infusion companies, medical equipment vendors, social security or human services offices or other identified linkage. Social workers will coordinate linkage with the service identified.

What are the income guidelines for Medicaid?

Medicaid is a federal and state program that is based upon financial and physical eligibility. Medicaid also provides coverage for long term care, inpatient rehabilitation, and home health. Social workers can provide you with information that may help determine if you may qualify. Nursing home benefits also include what is referred to a “Medicaid spousal impoverishment.” A spouse may access income and assets of a institutionalized spouse to assist them with maintaining home residency. Social workers are available to for information concerning this program for both Ohio and West Virginia residents.

Do Social workers work for the county and/or the state?

Yes, that is true. Professional social workers are employed in many health care settings, including Holzer Medical Center.

Can social workers tell a patient or their family members what they have to do?

Social workers attempt to foster each patient’s right to self-determination and recognize each patient’s sense of autonomy. The first axiom of social work is to start where the patient is, that is, the social worker assesses the social system of the patient and the interface between the patient and his or her environment. We intervene to improve the patient’s ability to function effectively within his or her social network.

Must social workers report abuse and domestic violence?

We are mandated by state law to report suspected cases of neglect, domestic violence, or abuse.

Testimonials

• Just wanted to say I very much appreciate you and the work you do - thanks for being a great social worker
• You will never know how much we appreciate the kindness, concern and efforts you put forth for us. You were great!
• You are the best and I appreciate all that you do
• Did a great job discharging my father-in-law, went over and above! Thank you
• Always go that extra mile for your patients
• Thank you for the faith you had in me

Department History

The department has been in existence since the early 1970’s. The Medical Center has supported and expanded social work at Holzer Medical Center for over thirty years. We are pleased to represent the mission of Dr. Charles Holzer, for the patient is the center of all that we do.

Personnel

Dow Saunders, Director, MSW, LSW
Eugenia Moore, MSW, LISW
Dennis McGuire, LSW
Ashley Jones, LSW
Tami Riggs, MSW, LSW

Service Area

Social Services identifies resources specific to the patient’s geographic residence and initiates referral and linkage to agencies or vendors that are most accessible to the patient. We maintain a working knowledge and relationship with facilities, vendors, and agencies throughout the Holzer Health Care service region.

Location

Holzer Medical Center
Social Services Department
100 Jackson Pike
Gallipolis, Ohio 45631
Phone: (740) 446-5429

Social work offices are located on the 4th floor of the Medical Center and on the 5th floor of the Rehabilitation Center.

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