Social Services are available to you and your family at The Cancer Institute at Alexian Brothers Hospital Network throughout your stay; this includes hospitalization and outpatient care. You, your family and the oncology team can access social services as needed, listed below are ways we can assist you:
Top Ten Ways a Social Worker Can Make Your Life Easier
1. Social Worker can support and listen to you and your family members' concerns and thoughts about the cancer diagnosis.
2. Social Worker can provide information to you and to caregivers about cancer support and educational groups and suggest relevant reading materials.
3. Social Worker can assist you with transportation resources; area townships, Alexian Spirit van, PACE Paratransit applications and Handicapped Parking and license applications.
4. Social Worker can direct you to the appropriate community agencies for in-home attendant care, Meals on Wheels, or adult day care/respite.
5. Social Worker can perform psychosocial assessments to those in need of mental health and substance abuse resources.
6. Social Worker can give information about Long-Term Care Planning. Assist with arrangements to place patient into an extended care facility from the hospital at time of discharge.
7. Social Worker can refer you to the appropriate medical team member to arrange Home Health, Rehabilitation, Hospice or Durable Medical Equipment. Home health referrals are completed when ordered by the doctor prior to the patient's discharge from the hospital.
8. Social Worker can assist you with financial concerns; linking you to community agencies for utility assistance, minor home repairs, food stamps, Medicaid, prescription assistance programs and Social Service Disability.
9. Social Worker can assist you with questions regarding Medicare and supplemental insurance policies, Living Will and/or Power of Attorney for Healthcare.
10. Social Worker can provide grief counseling services as well as information on various grief support groups.
Please feel free to contact a social worker at the location of your choice:
Alexian Brothers Medical Center :
Inpatient 847-437-5500 Ext. 4521
Outpatient 847-437-5500 Ext. 5904
St. Alexius Medical Center:
Inpatient 847-490-2551
Outpatient 847-755-8626