Have the hard conversations; Advice from a Veterans Memorial Hospital social worker
Tatum Iverson, Social Worker at VMH ... Pictured is Tatum Iverson, Social Worker, at left, with Donna and Ernie Lubahn of Waukon. Tatum is assisting them in reviewing their advance directives paperwork. Tatum advises everyone to sit down and have the ‘hard’ conversations about each individual’s personal wishes in the case of a life-altering health event or even death, and having those Advance Directives filed in advance. Advance Directives forms are available at the front entrance to Veterans Memorial Hospital for anyone who would like to pick one up to use as a guide. Submitted photo.
Tatum Iverson is the full-time social worker at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH). Her role is very large, touching most every patient’s care who enters and leaves the hospital, working closely with hospital staff, patients, their families and their insurance companies to coordinate the proper levels of care needed and be sure these are approved. She can provide the assistance families need for taking the next steps following a hospital discharge and can also help with a referral to skilled care, even from another healthcare facility.
Tatum works as a discharge planner to help elderly or disabled patients arrange in-home services, connecting the patients with numerous community services they may need such as home health nursing and therapy, home-delivered meals, housekeeping and shopping services. If a patient is no longer able to be discharged to their home, Tatum can give direction for finding the right fit, whether it be senior housing, assisted living or nursing home care.
“I encourage families to have the hard conversations to know what your spouse or parents wish for their long-term care, after they are no longer able to live at home,” advises Tatum. “It is so important to take the time to fill out your Advance Directives and share your plans with your family members so there are no surprises. We like a copy here at the hospital to place in your medical record as well as with your primary care clinic and your family members.”
Advance Directive forms are available at the front entrance to Veterans Memorial Hospital for anyone interested in starting the process and having a form to follow. For more information, call Tatum at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.
