Multiple Sclerosis Centers of Excellence
Social Worker Support for Veterans and Families
By Jan Spencer, MSW, LCSW, Alicia Sloan, MPH, MSW, LICSW, and Bethany Ferguson, MSW, LCSW-C
Living with MS can be very challenging. It requires accepting those things you can’t change and adjusting to the ‘new normal’ for you and your loved ones. This change in perspective helps shift your focus from the past to the present. Social workers are educated and trained to help you understand and accept the challenges of living with MS and assist you in finding ways to live your best life.
Social workers may work closely with you and your care partner. A social worker can work with your MS Team, VA partner organizations, and MS organizations to provide you with resources.
If you don’t know who your VA social worker is, ask your primary care or MS provider to meet and talk with your social worker. Social workers “Break Barriers” throughout the VA by helping Veterans and their care partners thrive with a diverse set of roles. Below are some of the roles of the MS social worker.
Role of the MS Social Worker
As a CASE MANAGER on the MS Team:
- Assess the needs of the Veteran and family by completing a comprehensive psychosocial assessment and formulating a personalized plan.
- Identify VA and community resources, implement referrals, and follow-up on the results.
- Partner with other professionals in Mental Health, Primary Care, and other service lines to provide comprehensive management of resources, support systems, and services to Veterans and care partners.
As an ADVOCATE on the MS Team:
- Intercede and speak in defense of the Veteran’s well-being.
- Advocate for what the Veteran desires in their care.
- Assist Veteran in navigation of the VA health care system and private sector.
As a COUNSELOR on the MS Team:
- Provide supportive counseling to assist Veteran and Veteran’s family members in coping with the impact of MS, changes in roles and identity, and disease progression.
- Provide psychotherapy in the form of crisis or long-term clinical intervention to assist Veterans and Veteran’s family members with mental health diagnoses and/or adjustment to life with MS.
- Provide coping strategies for managing emotions: sadness, anger, worry, and fear.
As a FACILITATOR on the MS Team:
- Seek opportunities to gather Veterans together for peer support: MS support groups, telephone support groups, and/or caregiver support groups.
- Develop relationships with community organizations that support Veterans with MS.
- Assess for and link care partners to appropriate VA and community resources.
As an EDUCATOR on the MS Team:
- Inform the Veteran/Family members but also fellow team members on benefits, compensation programs, resources, support programs, and systems in place for Veterans with MS and their care partners.
- Provide education to Veterans, families, and interdisciplinary team members on the psychosocial impact of illness and disease progression.
- Provide education on planning for care with the use of advanced directives and advance care planning.
As a NEGOTIATOR on the MS Team:
- Assist in resolving Veteran and care partner conflicts, and providing supportive counseling as appropriate.
- Assist in resolving systemic conflicts that impact the care of the Veteran.
Click here for more information on VA social workers. For assistance in helping you get the social work care you need, please visit: VA Health Care System Social Work Leaders - VHA Social Work.
