A case worker is responsible for assessing, coordinating, and providing support services to individuals or families to address their specific needs and improve their overall well-being.
Tips & Links
A case worker provides personal support to people of all ages in need of care. You may also be able to access support from a case worker through disability, low income, mental health, or drug addiction services.
Learn About
- Case workers are employed by the public health care system in clinics, community agencies, health authorities, and hospitals and work in areas of assessments and helping clients with home care, employment, social services, and child protection.
- A case worker may also provide case management, care monitoring, and crisis management to seniors and others who require advanced care and support in their homes.
- Know that a case worker may provide access to and coordination of services. This makes having a case worker very beneficial as there can be many challenges in accessing government benefits and services.
- A case worker, usually a nurse or social worker, can be sent to your home to complete a home care assessment. This assessment determines, based on your safety, assistance required, and income, what level of care the public system can provide as outlined by the Government of BC.
Things You Can Do
- Get to know your case worker and help them get to know your specific needs. Work on building a relationship of understanding and trust so that they can better advocate for the care and resources you or your loved one need.
- Learn about the differences of public versus private services and how they are funded from the Government of BC.
- Know about your patient rights including informed consent, privacy and confidentiality, and the right to refuse or accept care.
- Develop your self-advocacy skills to ensure your questions are answered and your needs and decisions are heard.
- Ask questions of all your health care providers and seek clarification on anything you do not understand.
- Choose a health advocate to assist you when you are not feeling well or strong enough to complete these tasks on your own.
- Learn about ‘Patients as Partners’ from the Government of BC.
Add your Case Worker to your My Health Care & Business Professionals PDF and/or your Care Partners PDF tool found in My People. Include their contact information and any questions you have for them. Save to digital and print files.