Social Work
Social Work is an integral part of our interdisciplinary healthcare team.
Our dedicated staff members support the needs of patients, families, and community members—helping to ensure compassionate care, guidance, and continuity throughout the healing process.
Our Social Workers assist patients by:
- Playing an active role in coordinating hospital discharges and locating appropriate financial and community resources.
- Providing emotional support during hospitalization.
- Being trained to educate and assist patients, families and the community, free of charge, about advance medical directives (power of attorney for health care, living wills).
Planning your future health care decisions:
You have the right to make decisions about your health care. This includes the right to accept or refuse medical or surgical treatment. You also have the right to plan and direct the types of health care you may receive in the future if you become unable to express your wishes.
What is a Declaration to Physicians (Living Will)?
- A document in which you can state your care wishes about life-support machines or feeding tubes if you become terminally ill or you lapse into a persistent vegetative state (permanent coma).
- A Living Will does not allow you to name someone to make decisions for you.
- Wisconsin Declaration to Physicians / Living Will
- Learn more about creating a Declaration to Physicians by contacting Crossing Rivers Health Social Work at 608.357.2012.
What is a Power of Attorney for Health Care?
- A document in which you can appoint a family member or friend (who is 18 years or older) you trust to make health care decisions for you if your doctors determine you can no longer make your own medical decisions.
- You may also name an alternate decision maker if the first decision maker is unwilling or unable to make decisions when needed.
- Learn more about creating a Power of Attorney for Health Care by contacting Crossing Rivers Health Social Work at 608.357.2012.
Download these valuable resources:
Guide to suggested language for the narrative portions of the Power of Attorney for Health Care
Advanced Directives form, including Power of Attorney for Health Care