Social Work Month

March is Social Work Month! This month highlights the dedication of social workers who advocate for vulnerable populations, promote social justice, and strengthen families. Let’s take time to celebrate their invaluable contributions and continue supporting their efforts. To celebrate this month, we decided to pose some questions to Amy Tunnell, LBSW, a social worker who is making a difference in our community. Amy has worked at Alpha Omega Hospice for three years and has 20+ years of experience in the social work field. 

Can you describe a typical day in your role as a hospice social worker? 

“My day is filled with many making wonderful visits with patients and their family members in their homes, assisted living centers, or at nursing facilities. I sit with people who have battled cancer and other diseases and have decided to live the rest of their lives in as much comfort and dignity as possible. What a privilege it has been to be able to come alongside patients and families as they go through some of the most difficult and challenging times in their lives. People ask me all the time; "How can you work for hospice”? I would have to say that I do not feel like I am “working" at all! It has been my calling and purpose, and what I was made to do. I feel like the Lord has gifted each person in different ways to fulfill their purposes while on earth. Being a hospice social worker is what I was made to do and brings me such Amazing Joy!” 

How do you collaborate with other members of the hospice care team? 

“Besides loving and caring for hospice patients and their families, working with my hospice team members is one of the best parts of my job! Hospice team members include a Social worker, Nurse case manager, chaplain, home health aide, clinical nurse manager, and a medical director. The "team" meets together once every two weeks to go over each patient and their needs. We

work together as a team to help meet all physical, mental, and spiritual needs of the patient and families. We each play a different role but work together as a whole entity to create the best possible hospice experience for all.” 

What drew you to this line of work, and what keeps you motivated? 

“When I was in college, I went on a few mission trips with some church groups where we helped take care of people who were less fortunate than myself. As the Lord began to create in me a new heart that loved Him more and more, I began to have a deeper love for others, especially the elderly and sick. This desire to work with and help meet the needs of this group of people specially created in me a desire to be a social worker that works with and cares for the elderly and sick population. 

What keeps me motivated to remain a hospice social worker: I can honestly say that every single day, I thank the Lord for the precious patients and families that I am lucky enough to share life with. I am so honored and grateful that I get to come into peoples' lives and homes and be with them through some of the most difficult and challenging times in their lives. It's a true privilege to be used by God to bring peace, comfort, and even joy in times of loss and grief.” 

How do you approach conversations about end-of-life care with families who may be struggling to accept it? 

“Having end of life conversations with family members who have a loved one on hospice services can be very difficult. There are times when family members are still in shock of the diagnosis given to their loved one. These can be the hardest situations because of the sudden idea and reality of losing someone who they love. That is when the "hospice team" works the best. As a team, we work together to help family members and patients prepare and accept the future unknowns. As the hospice team gets involved and works with family members and patients, the amazing and positive effects of support, encouragement, and assistance given can be seen, including signs of peace, comfort, and acceptance.”

Can you share a memorable story of a patient of yours being assisted by Project 4031? 

“I'd like to share about how Project 4031 brought Hope and peace to a patient and her daughter recently. I reached out to Project 4031 to ask for assistance with a large electric bill and grocery needs. This daughter is unable to work due to her mom needing 24/7 care. The daughter is very embarrassed to need help with bills, but she knows that she cannot leave her mom's side all day, every day. Once she agreed, I completed an application and almost immediately, I received a reply with some questions that needed to be answered. This family was granted assistance quickly for more than I had even asked for. The daughter was contacted and told about the help that she and her mom would be receiving. When I later spoke to her, I heard such joy and relief in her voice that I hadn't heard in a long time. What a blessing and relief this was to this family! By taking away the financial stress, this daughter was able to focus her strength and energy on caring for her mom. This is not the only time that I have been able to receive assistance for the needs of families by Project 4031. There simply are no words to describe the true comfort and relief that meeting someone's financial needs provides. I am so grateful for Project 4031 and to all others involved that have made this assistance possible.” 

A Special Note from Amy: 

“Why do I stay? A few reasons include: Being hugged so tight at a funeral that you can barely breathe, laughing until you cry with families as they share the best stories and memories about their loved ones, being able to meet financial needs through a resources like Project 4031, having an elderly lady want to paint your finger nails, having a patient "light up with a smile" when you walk into their room as if you are the most important person in the world, seeing the biggest smile when you bring a chocolate milkshake to a sweet elderly man, sitting and hearing the joy and excitement of a patient with memory problems as they tell you the same stories over and over and so many more thousands of other things that are just a piece of heaven on earth.”