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This month’s E-News Exclusive concerns an unlikely pairing—children and hospice. More often than not we think of hospice and palliative care with regard to older adults, but children and adolescents with terminal illnesses also require hospice and palliative care; social workers are part of interdisciplinary teams working with them and their families to make this difficult journey. Read about the challenges they face and the rewards they gain from working with this population.
We welcome your comments at SWTeditor@gvpub.com. Visit our website, including our new Peer Perspectives section, at www.SocialWorkToday.com; like our Facebook page; and follow us on Twitter.
— Marianne Mallon, editor |
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Ending at the Beginning — Social Work
in Pediatric Hospice and Palliative Care
By Sue Coyle, MSW
When most people hear “hospice,” they think of an elder woman struggling with one or several age-related diseases or a middle-aged man in the end stages of cancer. They think of an adult. But terminal illness and what follows—death—are not reserved for the aged.
Many children contract, develop, and/or are born with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions that often require palliative care, if not hospice. When that occurs, social workers are key members of the team that treats them, providing much-needed emotional support not only to the young patients but their families as well.
Palliative and Hospice Care
Palliative care and hospice care are similar. Both are designed to provide comfort to the patient. However, palliative care often leaves more doors open in terms of treatment and can begin as early as diagnosis. Hospice care occurs when treatment stops and the patient prepares for the end of life, acknowledging that survival is unlikely.
“Palliative care is for families who are going to still want to seek treatment,” says Pamela Ruzi, LMSW, ATR-BC, pediatric social worker for Hospice of the Valley in Arizona. “They may choose to have more aggressive care. But it gets to a point that they’ve done everything they can do. We [hospice] may enter their life at that point. We’re there to listen to them, to hear them, and to let them know that they do have choices.”
Full Story » |
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Invisible Wounds of Vegas Mass Shooting Could Affect Tens of Thousands
The Washington Post reports that Emanuel Maidenberg, PhD, a clinical professor of psychiatry at UCLA, says posttraumatic reaction can last from four to eight weeks, though circumstances differ from person to person, but the vast majority of people affected by an event like the mass shooting will have their trauma run its course and can soothe themselves through self-care, self-compassion, and community connection. Others may develop and be diagnosed with PTSD, major depression, or panic attacks.
Young Adults With Autism More Likely to Have Mental Health Issues
According to NPR, young adults on the autism spectrum are more likely to also have been diagnosed with a psychiatric condition, such as depression, anxiety, and ADHD than are typically developing people or those with other developmental disabilities, a study finds.
Asian American Groups Start Mental Health Program for DACA Recipients
NBCNews reports that a group of Asian American- and Pacific Islander-serving organizations announced the creation of a mental health program for recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and their families a month after the White House announced it was ending the program. |
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Reducing Homelessness With the Housing First Model
This model of housing for people experiencing homelessness places few or no conditions on them before placement, and research has shown that it works. Read more »
Veterans Treatment Courts
Read about this specialty court that helps address the unique needs of veterans who are facing criminal charges. Read more » |
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The nation's top employers and recruiters of social workers advertise in Social Work Today magazine and post their job openings on AlliedHealthCareers.com. Check out the most recent opportunities that have been submitted by employers across the country!
Horizon Health, the national leader in the management of psychiatric services in hospitals nationwide, seeks the following positions for our behavioral health programs in Sunnyside and Toppenish, WA:
• Intensive Outpatient Program Coordinator
• Outpatient Therapist
• Social Worker
Interested candidates submit resumes to: mark.blakeney@horizonhealth.com |
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Social Work Today's CE program offers social workers the opportunity to earn CEs from the comfort of their homes or offices.
Visit www.SocialWorkTodayCE.com today and join the thousands of professionals from across the country who already have taken advantage of this great program.
Simply read an issue of the magazine and complete the online exam. Most issue exams will earn 2 CE credits! PLUS, you have the opportunity to earn CE credits from past issues, too! |
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