Roles of Social Workers in Palliative and End-of-Life Care

As the World War II and baby boomer generations age, social work practice in the area of palliative and end-of-life care is becoming increasingly complex. Social workers are involved in palliative care no matter what setting or what population they find themselves in, because death and dying are universal experiences. This chapter addresses the settings of care for social work practice in palliative care, the role of the social worker in delivering palliative care, the social worker's role in assessment and service provision, psychosocial and financial resources, cultural and spiritual issues, and bereavement support services.