Social workers or trained volunteers are able to answer many questions because they deal with them all the time. They are generally informed about Medicare and Medicaid regulations and can direct the family to information sources to deal with their specific problems. Family members often have questions about insurance, funeral plans, who must be informed, death certificates, etc. Social workers can relieve many of these anxieties. They can also remind the family that certain areas need their attention.
Social workers can help the family plan ahead.
All of these matters are easier to discuss when an informed person is available to answer questions and initiate contacts. They help the family deal with the reality of impending death and they have the assurance that the patient is receiving the best care possible. Other activities are directly intended to help family members get through the ordeal of a terminal illness. Referrals to grief counseling and support groups can usually be made. Much of the strength of the support of hospice results from the feeling that develops among family members that they are not alone in this most difficult of times.