The Social Service Department at Life Care Center of Hilo is joining the rest of the nation in observing Social Work Month in March by offering free memory checks on March 22. ADVERTISING The Social Service Department at Life Care
The Social Service Department at Life Care Center of Hilo is joining the rest of the nation in observing Social Work Month in March by offering free memory checks on March 22.
Social workers dedicate their lives to being advocates, educators, counselors, coaches and much more to those in need, said Chris Ridley, Life Care Center’s director of social services.
“They work in hospitals, nursing facilities and schools, and assist with mental health, judicial, children’s, family, geriatric and community,” she said.
Many people in the general population become concerned over forgetfulness symptoms and quickly become anxious or depressed, Ridley said. This leads to social withdrawal, poor eating and sleeping habits and generally decreased activity.
If a medical condition started this onslaught, then the medical condition can continue to cause deterioration in the body and forgetfulness increases. Ridley hopes, by offering free and confidential memory checks, that elders in the community will monitor their memory just as they monitor their blood pressure and cholesterol.
Anyone can call the Social Service Department at Life Care Center of Hilo and schedule a memory check. The screening takes about 15-20 minutes. The participant must sign permission for the results to be sent to their personal physician, as the social service staff will not interpret or reveal the results of the screen to the participant.
To make an appointment, call 959-9151.
