Social services is an important member of the interdisciplinary team that meets with residents and their families within three days of their arrival at Friedwald Center. During that meeting, they begin a profile of the resident's family background, social history and medical history as they start the assessment process which is so important to a successful stay.

Social Services  

Pearl Leibovitch, director of social services, loves to say "Welcome!" to new residents of Friedwald Center and then support them throughout their stay.  

One of her first priorities is to welcome residents and help them feel at ease as they make the transition from home, hospital or another facility. She and her staff introduce themselves to new residents, interview them  and escort them to their new home.  
  
The social services staff is also closely involved whenever a resident leaves Friedwald Center for home or another facility. Pearl and her staff coordinate closely with each resident and family and  the resident's primary care physician to insure that arrangements have been made for satisfactory home care. Her degree from Hunter School for Social Work and her masters degree in linguistics hold her in good stead.  She speaks seven languages and residents born in other countries often find it comforting to hear Pearl speak in their own language.

Pearl's staff includes fellow social worker Marge Milekowski and discharge planner Susan Antone.