Social Services
The Social Services Department at Story County Medical Center is actively
involved in both the Medical Center and Senior Care. Our social worker is
here to assist prospective patients, residents and their families in
addressing social, financial, emotional, placement and other related
concerns. The social worker is part of the Medical Center trauma team and a
part of crisis intervention in the Emergency Department.
The Social Services Department is involved in community, family and
patient education and functions as an active information and referral source
for Story County. Telephone and email inquiries are welcomed in addition to
personal visits.
The Social Services Office is open Monday through Friday 8:30am through
5:00pm and by appointment on weekends.
Advanced Directives
Adult patients, over 18 years of age, who will be admitted for an
overnight stay at Story County Medical Center can anticipate being asked if
they have an Advance Directive that they wish to let their health care
providers know about. If you have an Advance Directive (Living Will and
Medical Power of Attorney) you should bring a copy of it with you when you
come to the hospital for any overnight stay you may have.
Advance Directive is a general term that refers to your verbal and
written instructions about your medical care and decisions in the future,
should you be unable to speak for yourself. Each state has its own law
governing the use of advance directives. There are two types of Advance
Directives: Living Will and Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care.
Living Will:
A Living Will puts your wishes about medical care at the end of life,
into a written statement. Each state dictates when a living will goes into
effect and can limit the treatments to which the living will applies. A
person's right to accept or reject treatment is protected by both federal
and state laws.
Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care:
A Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care is a document that allows you
to appoint someone you trust to make medical decisions for you. In many
states, the person you appoint through a Durable Power of Attorney for
Health Care is authorized to speak for you anytime you are unable to make
you own medical decisions, not only at the end of life.
Though this is a difficult topic to discuss, it is often helpful for you
to discuss and make plans long before the decisions need to be made. Making
these arrangements and decisions before you are very ill can insure that
your wishes are clear and followed. It also helps family members when they
know your wishes in advance.
Advance Directives give you a voice in decisions about your medical care
when you are unconscious or too ill to talk. As long as you are able to
communicate your own decisions, your Advance Directives will not be used and
you can accept or reject any medical treatment.
These forms are available online from the
Iowa State Bar Association.
NOTE: These are legal forms and it is suggested that you consult with
your legal representative to complete.
For more information or to request living will and health care power of
attorney forms, contact Susan Koehler, Social Services Director, at
skoehler@storymedical.org or call (515)
382-7734.