SOCIAL WORK

“Joyce”, seventy, has been on hospice for about three weeks. She suffers from lung cancer and is slowly declining and needing more and more help. Joyce lives with her daughter, “Candy” and Candy’s husband and teenage son. I have been visiting weekly as this family has a lot going on and need support.

Candy’s husband has been unemployed for over three years to where his unemployment checks have stopped. His background is doing dry wall work. He gets odd jobs that pay very little. The family has not paid their mortgage or utility bills for over two months. Needless to say, finances are a stressor. In addition, the burden of Joyce’s illness has put a huge strain on the family emotionally.

Candy easily has opened up with her emotions to me. She expressed a lot of anger toward God as her burdens are overwhelming. She feels that it isn’t fair. Her heart is full of love toward her family and mankind. Anger toward God is her only avenue of release for those emotions. During my visits, I have been assisting her with processing this anger. A large part of my role is to validate her feelings while guiding her to her own resolution.

I called Candy today to schedule a visit for tomorrow. She turned to her mother, who was nearby saying, “It is Marilou, the social one.” I laughed and said “Hence, that is why I am called the Social Worker.” She laughed and said that it was easy to talk with me.

I keep my style casual and low key as it offers an environment of safety and support. Observing my style, many do not see the therapeutic interaction that goes on between me and families. It seems to work well for them and me this way.

SOCIAL WORK

My style is very casual.
I try to keep things low key.
It allows many to open up
in a safe and honest way.

They may think I am just talking.
I am listening to what they need to share.
They don’t realize it’s the work that I do,
as I guide them along their way.

She sees me as a guest; not a counselor
saying I was the most social one.
It doesn’t matter much how she perceives my role
as long as she gets the support she so dearly needs.

I want her to feel comfortable.
I want her to feel safe and not judged.
I want her to know how much I do care
so she’ll never ever feel alone.

My job is not just social.
My job is not just work.
I am directed by my families
intertwining social constantly
with the work.