THE LUTHERAN HOME for the Aged is a long-term care campus designed for senior adults.  The campus includes 274 skilled beds, 105 residential care beds, and an independent living component entitled “Saxony Village.”  This area has 87 apartments and 22 duplexes. Physical, speech and occupational therapies are available with a physician’s order.  Other services included are:  social  services, activity programs, pastoral care and hair care.  Some services are covered by  Medicare.  Lutheran Home accepts Medicaid, private insurance or private pay.  Other services include Lutheran Home Adult Day Care, Lutheran Home Home Health services and Lutheran Home Hospice. 

THE FIELD EXPERIENCE FOR THE BSW CANDIDATE:  Field education students receive a general orientation to the services available and the role of the social worker in the agency .  Students are trained in all aspects of social work services provided at the agency.  Students will be involved with residents starting with the referral process through the individual’s discharge. Micro, mezzo and macro level practice experiences are available at this site with emphasis on micro and mezzo.  The field instructors have experience in medical and gerontology social work.

WHAT STUDENTS SAY: 
“My task instructor provided directions while allowing me, as a student, to be able to independently carry out tasks.  My task instructor gave directions in a clear, thorough way which I was able to easily understand.  I worked a lot with [patients] on the skilled nursing floor and with the activities department as well as the hospice program. I feel well prepared for a career as a beginning social worker after this field education experience.”       

“My practicum site was at The Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau on the skilled nursing home part of the facility.  I worked on the Unit 300 part of the facility and it is a fast-paced work environment.  When first starting at this facility as a student, my task supervisor worked closely with me when explaining tasks such as the proper format for necessary paperwork.  However, once I learned how to do many different tasks, my supervisor did not work as closely with me.  I had some of my own task assignments and my supervisor allowed me to work on these tasks or homework at my own pace.  I mainly worked on the micro level because I worked a lot of one-on-one with residents at the facility.  I also had the opportunity to gain experience working on the mezzo level with small groups.  While working at the Lutheran Home I worked a great deal with families.  I also attended several Alzheimer’s Support Group meetings.
      Overall, I feel as though this particular field placement as been beneficial to me as a social work student.  I enjoy working in a fast pace environment in which I am able to independently carry out roles of a social worker on a daily basis.”

"The Lutheran Home is a great agency to complete your field education. Not only do you have micro experiences with the residents, you also work with families, support groups and the community.  It is truly a life changing experience to work with residents who have Alzheimer's Disease as well as the elderly in general."

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