Indispensable = Social Workers

Barb Hemberger • April 10, 2023

The textbook definition of a social worker goes something like this: “Social workers are professionals who aim to enhance overall well-being and help meet basic and complex needs of communities and people.”


That rather sterile definition hardly explains the variety and fast-paced nature of what social workers do. In fact, “indispensable” was how a member of the clinical faculty at the University of St. Thomas recently described them.


To better understand what our social workers do at Saint Therese senior communities, we talked to the social workers that head up their respective teams in Brooklyn Park, New Hope and Woodbury. We came away with a much richer grasp of the key role they play alongside the more visible role of nursing, the critical resource they are for families and residents, and the joy they get from their job.


Chelsie Plath, LSW, has been at Saint Therese at Oxbow Lake for more than five years and distinguishes what they do this way, “Part of our role is to remind the resident and the team that in addition to the medical needs, we need to provide the psycho-social care.” For instance, in a transitional care unit (TCU), the goal is to rehab the resident, but social workers get involved from the time of admission through to the discharge stage and everything in between that isn’t medically focused. They counsel, provide resources and referrals to families and residents and get them emotionally ready to be discharged and everything in between.

Chelsie said social workers need to be a jack of all trades. “You have to be flexible in your day and handle whatever falls onto your plate. I start out with a rough draft of what my day will look like, but most days you shift your plans based on the needs of your residents.”


She said a good day is when she knows that the resident and staff are happy. “It fills my cup. It means we’re doing something right and that the effort we’ve put in is making a difference.”

Chelsie and her colleague Chloe Johnson handle the social work duties for 64 residents in the TCU and long term care.



When asked what makes a good social worker, Chelsie said someone who is empathetic, who listens, is willing to be an active part of the interdisciplinary team and is the best advocate for the residents.

Michael Benson, director of Social Services, has been at Saint Therese of New Hope for more than five years as well. His team of four social workers handles 168 residents, which includes a 57-bed TCU.



He agreed that flexibility is essential to the job. He starts his day with best laid plans, but those plans frequently go out the window.

 “We’re problem solvers, counselors, discharge planners, and advocates for the family, the resident and the facility. We help a family member struggling with guilt over having someone in long term care, we look for missing eyeglasses, facilitate resolution and offer our condolences…and that’s all before lunch.”



He said social workers have to set aside their own judgement and understand the family’s point of view and the facility’s point of view and then find the right balance.

Mike took an indirect path to social work, gaining valuable experience in group homes, placement agencies, day programs and in hospice. Not surprisingly, all require the desire to help others.


“My favorite part of the job is connecting with residents,” Mike said. “I take so much away from the experience when I have meaningful engagements. And, at the end of the day, I want to help improve the lives of those in our care.”



Other members of the New Hope social work team are Leslie Robertson, Callie Wold, Kerri Scheiller and Amy Sinayoko.

Amanda “Mandy” Marshall, LSW, CCM, has been with Saint Therese of Woodbury for one year and is in wholehearted agreement with her colleagues about the skill set needed by social workers.



“We have to be flexible about our plans for the day and respond to the issues that come up; we have to prioritize and go with the flow,” she said. “The days are never the same and you have to accept that, whatever you had planned for the day, it most likely won’t happen.”

But with that uncertainty comes rewards. Just hearing a “thanks for what you do,” from a resident or family member is a gold star to Mandy. “We do a lot behind the scenes. We’re constantly communicating with the residents and their families because it can be very confusing. And if they have no family, we advocate on their behalf.”



She got into social work because she wanted to work in the healthcare field and help people but realized nursing wasn’t her calling. She said the three key qualities for a social worker are: to be flexible, be organized and laugh.

In addition to Mandy, other members of the Woodbury team are Mary Brownlow, LSW, discharge planner, and Jade Nei, assistant.



A heartfelt thanks to the entire Saint Therese social worker team.

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At Saint Therese, our heartfelt purpose since 1968 has been a people first approach to living well by providing senior care and services where every life we touch feels welcomed, respected, and heard. We achieve this by doing ordinary things with extraordinary love every single day. Contact us to learn more. 

2025 Senior Health: Progress, Challenges, and Key State Insights

By Barb Hemberger • May 23, 2025
The 2025 America’s Health Rankings® Senior Report was recently released, offering a comprehensive overview of the health and well-being of older adults across the United States. The report, based on 55 measures from 24 distinct data sources, highlights both strides made and challenges persisting in senior health. While there is encouraging progress in areas like reduced early death rates and strengthened social connectedness among older adults, significant mental and behavioral health challenges remain. Key Findings from the Report Falls and obesity rates have stabilized after peaking earlier this decade. The number of geriatric clinicians increased by 5 percent, marking the highest rate ever recorded by the rankings. Volunteerism saw a 19 percent increase between 2021 and 2023. The healthiest state for older adults was Vermont, followed by Colorado, Washington, Utah, and Connecticut. Meanwhile, Mississippi ranked as the least healthy state, with Louisiana, West Virginia, Oklahoma, and Kentucky following suit. Insights from States with Saint Therese Senior Communities Minnesota ranked 7th overall, placing it among the top 10 healthiest states for older adults. It showed a promising 13 percent increase in the number of geriatric clinicians between 2021 and 2024. However, the state also experienced a significant 23 percent rise in depression rates among adults aged 65 and older, increasing from 12.8 to 15.7 percent between 2018 and 2023. Michigan secured the 21st spot in the rankings. The state showed notable improvements, including an 18 percent drop in falls, decreasing from 32.6 to 26.7 percent of adults aged 65 and older between 2014 and 2023. Additionally, cognitive difficulty rates decreased by 13 percent, from 8.8 to 7.7 percent during the same period. Ohio ranked 36th overall, but one bright spot was a significant 35 percent increase in the number of geriatric clinicians between September 2019 and September 2024. Positive Signs for Volunteering The news about volunteering is a positive sign as emerging evidence shows that older adults who volunteer regularly have fewer cognitive complaints and a lower risk for dementia compared with those who do not volunteer regularly. At Saint Therese, volunteers are as much a part of our organization as our residents, families, visitors, and employees. We rely on and value the countless hours and dedication of those who support our mission by volunteering in our communities. We are always looking for volunteers. To find out more, or to apply to be a volunteer, please visit us here. The Bottom Line The 2025 Senior Report, produced by the United Health Foundation, underscores the complexities of senior health in the United States. While strides have been made in areas such as access to specialized care and volunteer engagement, persistent challenges like obesity, depression, and behavioral health highlight the need for continued efforts. The Report serves as a crucial reminder of the ongoing work needed to ensure a healthier future for older adults across the nation.

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At Ascend Rehabilitation , we believe that wellness is more than just exercise—it’s about fostering strength, confidence, and connection. Our wellness and fitness program seamlessly integrates with therapy to help residents and clients improve their physical, mental, and social well-being. 

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