Core functions of nursing home social services departments in the United States

To report social services departmental involvement in 52 functions.

Cross-sectional data collected from a nationally representative sample of 1071 nursing home social services directors who were asked to report the extent to which their department was involved in 52 functions (activities). The functions were organized under the framework of the NASW Clinical Indicators for Social Work and Psychosocial Services in Nursing Homes.

Nursing home.

Social services directors.

Not applicable.

Self-administered survey.

Eighty percent of respondents indicated their department is "usually or always" involved in a core set of 24 functions (out of 52). For each of the 52 functions, at least 40% of departments are at least sometimes involved.

Findings reveal both a core set of functions in which departments are "usually or always" involved, as well as many in which some, but not all, departments are involved. This variability of departmental involvement suggests that staff should clearly communicate the functions of their department so that residents, families, fellow staff, and the community know what can be expected. Future research should investigate how to maximize social services to achieve and maintain the highest possible quality of life for residents, address family concerns, and contribute to team effectiveness.