Welcome
 J. C. Blair Memorial Hospital's Social Services Department extends a warm welcome to you. Our Staff is eager to assist and support you in any way we can to make your stay with us as pleasant and comfortable as possible.

What is the Social Services Department?
It is the department of the Hospital which works through a variety of programs to help our patients and their families with the problems and decisions that often accompany or follow an illness. These problems can make hospitalization more difficult and might even interfere with your recovery. We work with you, your family, the Hospital staff, and other professionals to lessen these problems and concerns and help meet your emotional and social needs. There is no charge for our services.

How can Social Services Help Me?
We are available to all patients, and we provide a wide variety of services. Following are descriptions of some of the specific ones which might be helpful to you. We can:

Plan referrals to community agencies you might need, such as Home Health Agencies, Meals on Wheels, transportation services, and more.

Arrange for medical equipment prescribed by your doctor such as hospital beds, wheelchairs, walkers, oxygen, etc.

Make you feel more comfortable and relaxed in an unfamiliar environment by assisting with communications to physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals.

Assist with transfers to other health care facilities, if necessary.

Identify and coordinate alternative living arrangements if home is not an option at the time of discharge.

Provide information on nursing home and personal care home placements.

Provide supportive counseling and assist with problem-solving regarding other social problems that may impact your physical condition. (i.e. domestic violence, homelessness, substance / alcohol abuse, etc.)

Identify financial resources for aftercare needs.

Provide information on Powers of Attorney and Living Wills.

How can I Initiate This Service?
Social Services can be initiated through a referral from physicians, nurses, other staff members, families, patients, community agencies, or significant others. You can contact the Social Worker yourself by calling (814) 643-8675 or (814) 643-8778.

Appointments
Professional help is available for you and your family to help find practical solutions to concerns you are facing. We think it makes good sense to ask for help when you need it, and we are only a phone call away.

For an appointment with any of our providers, please call: Department of Social Services at (814) 643-8675 or (814) 643-8778, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. In addition, hours are flexible through scheduling to best suit your needs. Social Service operates on an on-call basis weekends and holidays by calling: (814) 643-2290.