The Cape Girardeau MISSOURI VETERANS HOME is a 150 bed, long-term care facility.  The Missouri Veterans Home also has a Special Care Unit for Alzheimers' and Related Disorders.  It is managed by the Missouri Stat Veterans Commission.  It is one of seven such facilities in the State of Missouri.  It offers three levels of care for Veterans, Levels I, II and III.  Level I is the lightest level of nursing care meaning residents need only minimal medical and social supervision and assistance.  Level II is intermediate care where the resident needs supervision and routine assistance in several activities of daily living.  Level III is where the resident needs heavy nursing care.  This is routine and continuous supervision and/or assistance in most activities of daily living.  In addition to services designed to meet their basic needs, residents are provided with many other services including social services, in-house physician, recreation, physical and rehabilitative therapies, pastoral care and transportation to medical appointments.

THE FIELD EXPERIENCE FOR THE BSW CANDIDATE:

• Complete initial social histories, psychosocial assessments, quarterly reviews and annual reviews.
• Attend and participate in care plan meetings.
• Provide room visits to assigned residents for socialization and wellness.
• Assist with activities for residents.
• Provide assistance with the application process and provide facility tours.
• Assist social services team in providing for residents' psychosocial needs.
• Attend seminars and workshops for professional development.
• Professional documentation including completing progress notes.
• Provide referrals for outside resources for residents.
• Lead or co-lead support groups.
• Attend community meetings related to the aging population.
• Assist social services team with resident/family complaints.

WHAT STUDENTS SAY:   "I absolutely loved my placement at the Missouri Veterans Home.  This is a long term facility that serves men and women who were active duty military service.  Presently a majority of the residents served in World War II.  Previously I thought of the older population to be grumpy and unhappy with life.  My stereotype of the elderly has totally changed from working here.  Each resident is happy and thankful to be living here.  I truly believe this is one of the better long term care facilities in the state. 

I would consider this placement to be slow paced compared to others.  Your field supervisor instructs you on weekly tasks that need to be completed and once you are finished with your social work duties, you help a lot with activities.  I enjoyed this because of the field trips with residents.  We went shopping and also took the residents fishing.  I spent a lot of time socializing with the residents and really got to know a lot of them.  This is the part I'm going to miss the most."

For more information about the Missouri Veteran's Home, visit their web site at: http://www.mvc.dps.mo.gov/MVH_Home.htm

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