Patients & Visitors' Guide
Social Work
Beverly Hospital
85 Herrick Street
Beverly, MA 01915
978 922-3000, ext. 2710 or page
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Addison Gilbert Hospital
298 Washington Street
Gloucester, MA 01930
978 283-4001, ext. 648 or page
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Family and support people play a major role in the patient's
recovery process. We are committed to providing the support
necessary to patients and family members by addressing the
emotional and social issues that may accompany a medical illness.
The emotional shock, fear and anxiety brought on by illness or
disability can seriously affect an individual's ability to benefit
from medical care. Social workers counsel patients and families to
help them better understand future lifestyle changes.
Medical Social Work
We specialize in areas such as oncology, hospice, cardiology,
rehabilitation, end-stage renal disease, and family health.
Other situations in which social workers routinely assist
clients include:
- Seriously ill children and their families
- Teenage parents
- Families experiencing complications in pregnancy or infant
loss
- Victims of rape, sexual abuse or maltreatment
- Elders at risk or in need of services in their home
environment
- Elders and families adjusting to changes in living
situations
- Individuals facing life-threatening illness
Concerns and questions of an individual or family may not end
after a patient is discharged from the hospital. We are committed
to making ourselves available either in person during
hospitalization, or by phone during or after the patient's
stay.
Here are some commonly asked questions:
How do I get my elderly parent help at home?
Where do I apply to get long-term care insurance?
What is a rehabilitation hospital?
How does one designate a health care proxy?
How does one go about creating a living will?
How do I cope with a new medical condition?
To ensure that a patient's social and emotional needs are
addressed, social workers may coordinate with the Chaplaincy
Service, or in other situations, social workers consult and
coordinate with nurse case managers to determine the most
appropriate discharge plan.
Social Work & Case Management
Here are some examples of collaborative care:
- An individual unable to return home due to an unsafe situation
but ready for discharge.
- An individual seeking treatment for alcohol or substance abuse
who also requires physical therapy due to a fractured hip.
- An individual needing prescription medications who has no
insurance coverage.
Social Work offers an educational support group program for
patients and families free of charge. Each group is staffed by a
licensed clinical social worker trained in group facilitation.
Group Programming
The following groups are among those frequently offered:
- Grief and Loss
- Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehabilitation
- Dialysis
- Infant and Pregnancy Loss
- Oncology
- Caregivers
- Connecting Young Moms
- Other groups may be formed as needed. Please call for more
information.
How to Access Social Work Services
Anyone can ask for a consultation with Social Work. Simply call
the department or tell your primary care nurse you would like to
speak with a social worker.
The Social Work office is open at Beverly Hospital and Addison
Gilbert Hospital Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.and at Beverly
Hospital Saturdays, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Sundays, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Messages can be left anytime on the department voice mail. There is
a social worker available in the building through the page
operator.
Beverly Hospital
85 Herrick Street
Beverly, MA 01915
978 922-3000, ext. 2710 or page
Addison Gilbert Hospital
298 Washington Street
Gloucester, MA 01930
978 283-4001, ext. 648 or page