Patient Care - Patient & Family Services

Our services are free to any patient and their family members. You can meet with a medical social worker Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or by special appointment. Your nurse or physician can contact us or you can call us directly by calling (802) 888-8311.
Click here to contact our patient & family services staff:

Your comfort and emotional wellbeing are as important as your medical care at Copley. We created the Patient and Family Services Department (PFS) to help you with the emotional complexities of medical changes and challenges. We know that an extended hospital stay or emergency can bring on other problems and anxieties affecting your family, job, and/or finances. Trying to cope with these can be stressful for you and your family. Our social workers, care managers, and other Patient and Family Services staff are prepared to help you deal with these concerns

Help With Financial Concerns
If you feel that you may have difficulty meeting your medical expenses, we can work with you to identify sources of financial assistance. We are familiar with eligibility requirements for Medicare and Medicaid coverage and other assistance programs and are able to help you with these guidelines.
 
Help With Advance Directives
Medical decisions are often very hard to make, especially when you have to rely on a loved one to make them for one in the event you are unable to make them yourself. In many cases, you may want to consider having a set of instructions on how you you’re your care to be provided to help guide your loved one in making decisions on your behalf. Our staff can help you understand and fill out advanced directives and other important paper work. For example, you may wish to complete a Living Will (Terminal Care Document) or Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care. We will provide information and instruction that can help you create both.
 
Discharge Planning
PFS will help you with any challenges that follow illness or injury. You may need continued care, special medical equipment, an attendant, transportation, meal preparation, or other support. We will help arrange these and other services to make your home convalescence as fast and easy as possible.
 
Help With Extended Care
Finding a suitable nursing home, rehabilitation facility, community care home, or apartment can be challenging. Our staff is familiar with the complexities of proper placement, having helped many people like you in similar situations. We will help you find an appropriate care environment for your individual needs after you leave Copley.
 
Help With Community Referrals
Worrying about your illness (or that of a family member) can result in frustration, depression, and anxiety. Talking with someone about your worries can help relieve the emotional burden. Our staff can put you in touch with support people or groups in the area to help you deal with these concerns.