Social Services

The Social Services Department at Pershing Health System assists patients with their questions and acts as an advocate between patients, their families, the community, and the hospital.

Social Services help find answers to questions concerning how to pay for hospitalization, planning for care after discharge, patient education, advanced directives, Swing Bed referrals, and linking you to other community resources for services. Social Services can offer assistance to patients in the Med Surg., ED, outpatient, or clinic setting.

Social Services assist the patient and patient support system in identifying patient care needs.  Our Social Worker completes a comprehensive discharge planning assessment of the household, and community environment of the patient. The goal of a Social Services Discharge Planning Assessment is to help the patient, family, or support system identify those community-based services that best fit the patient’s needs while addressing safety and assuring the patient is able to successfully remain in the community in the least restrictive environment. Each discharge plan is as unique as the individual patient we serve!

Our Social Worker is Pershing Health System’s contact person for any questions or referrals for our Swing Bed Program.

Advance Directives are medical directives regarding a patient’s health care preferences written in advance of an illness or procedure. Documents that state these wishes include a Living Will for Medical Directive or Durable Power of Attorney for health care decisions. Social Services help ensure that a patient’s health care wishes are followed while being cared for at Pershing Health System. Social Services also helps patients establish written Living Will for Medical Directive or Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA) for Health Care decisions during their stay at Pershing. Our Social Worker is available to assist any community member 18 years or older with establishing a Living Will for Medical Directive or DPOA.

Services offered by the Social Services Department are:

  • Advocacy
  • Discharge planning
  • Education
  • Financial resources
  • Healthcare directives
  • Prescription assistance
  • Referral to community resources
  • Support groups
  • Community liaison
  • Nursing home referral
  • Swing Bed Referral admission and coordination

Please call 660-258-1129 to learn more about how Pershing Health System’s Social Services Department can assist you or your loved one during your care and recovery.

To report child or adult abuse or neglect, please call the appropriate hotline:
Missouri Child Abuse/Neglect Hotline: 1-800-392-3738
Missouri Adult Abuse/Neglect Hotline: 1-800-392-0210