Psychosocial concerns in the context of geriatric palliative care in nursing homes: Enlisting the skills of social workers

Abstract

Psychosocial care is an important aspect of palliative care. This article provides a general overview of palliative psychosocial care issues in the context of nursing home residents and their family members. Depression, suicide, and loss are elaborated upon as related to nursing home residents. Examples of assessment tools are introduced. The article concludes with a description of nursing home social work, and how social work intervention can help address resident emotional and psychosocial issues. © 2011 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.