What Spanish phrases do healthcare social workers use most?

The five highest-frequency hospital social work phrases: (1) Introduction — 'Soy la trabajadora social del hospital — estoy aquí para ayudarle a planear lo que necesita cuando salga del hospital y para conectarle con recursos que puedan ayudar.' (I'm the hospital social worker — I'm here to help you plan what you'll need when you leave the hospital and to connect you with resources that can help.) (2) Discharge baseline — '¿A quién llama cuando necesita ayuda — tiene familia, amigos, o vecinos cerca? ¿Vive solo o con alguien?' (Who do you call when you need help — do you have family, friends, or neighbors nearby? Do you live alone or with someone?) (3) Housing safety — '¿Tiene un lugar seguro adónde volver cuando salga — su misma casa, o hay algún problema ahí?' (Do you have a safe place to return to when you leave — your same home, or is there a problem there?) (4) Food access — '¿En el último mes, ha habido momentos en que no tenía suficiente comida en casa o no tenía dinero para comprarla?' (In the last month, have there been times when you didn't have enough food at home or didn't have money to buy it?) (5) Support at home — '¿Hay alguien que pueda ayudarle con los medicamentos y el cuidado en casa los primeros días?' (Is there someone who can help you with medications and home care for the first few days?)

How do social workers screen for social determinants of health in Spanish?

SDOH screening in Spanish by domain: Housing — '¿Tiene un lugar estable dónde vivir ahora mismo? ¿Ha tenido problemas con la vivienda en el último año — riesgo de desalojo, vivienda inestable, o vivir con demasiada gente en poco espacio?' (Do you have a stable place to live right now? Have you had housing problems in the last year — risk of eviction, unstable housing, or living with too many people in too small a space?) Food — '¿En los últimos doce meses, se preocupó de que la comida se acabara antes de tener dinero para comprar más?' (In the last twelve months, were you worried that food would run out before you had money to buy more?) Transportation — '¿Tiene forma de llegar a sus citas médicas y a la farmacia? ¿Le sería difícil llegar sin ayuda de alguien?' (Do you have a way to get to your medical appointments and the pharmacy? Would it be hard to get there without someone's help?) Utilities — '¿Ha habido veces en que no tenía gas, electricidad, o agua por no poder pagar la factura?' (Have there been times when you didn't have gas, electricity, or water because you couldn't pay the bill?) Immigration-sensitive framing — Never ask about immigration status directly. Frame as: 'No importa su situación migratoria — el hospital tiene recursos disponibles para todos. Lo que me dice es confidencial.' (Your immigration status doesn't matter — the hospital has resources available for everyone. What you tell me is confidential.)

How do social workers discuss advance directives with Spanish-speaking patients?

Advance directive conversation in Spanish — the three concepts to explain: What it is — 'Hay documentos que le permiten decirle a los médicos y a su familia qué tipo de cuidado médico quiere recibir si algún día no puede hablar por sí mismo — por ejemplo, si está inconsciente o si está muy enfermo. Se llaman instrucciones anticipadas o testamento vital.' (There are documents that let you tell doctors and your family what kind of medical care you want if someday you can't speak for yourself — for example, if you're unconscious or very ill. They're called advance directives or living will.) Healthcare proxy — '¿Hay una persona de confianza que quiera que tome decisiones médicas por usted si usted no puede hacerlo? Esa persona se llama apoderado médico o representante de salud. Puede ser un familiar o un amigo cercano.' (Is there a trusted person you want to make medical decisions for you if you can't? That person is called a healthcare proxy or health representative. It can be a family member or close friend.) Cultural sensitivity — Many Latino patients see advance directive conversations as premature or a sign of giving up hope. Acknowledge this: 'Entiendo que hablar de esto puede sentirse como hablar de algo muy serio — pero estas instrucciones son para protegerle a usted y a su familia, no para renunciar a nada. Muchas personas las hacen cuando están completamente sanas.' (I understand that talking about this can feel like talking about something very serious — but these instructions are to protect you and your family, not to give up anything. Many people complete them when they're completely healthy.)

How do hospital social workers screen for domestic violence in Spanish?

Domestic violence screening in Spanish — must be done with patient alone, never with a partner or family member present: Opening — 'Esta es una pregunta que le hacemos a todos los pacientes porque la violencia doméstica es muy común y muchas veces pasa sin que el equipo médico lo sepa.' (This is a question we ask all patients because domestic violence is very common and often happens without the medical team knowing.) Safe question — 'En su casa, ¿se siente seguro? ¿Alguien en casa le ha hecho daño físico, le ha amenazado, o le controla de maneras que le hacen sentir miedo?' (At home, do you feel safe? Has anyone at home physically hurt you, threatened you, or controlled you in ways that make you feel afraid?) If positive disclosure — 'Le agradezco que me lo haya dicho. Usted no merece lo que le está pasando. Estoy aquí para ayudarle — no para juzgarle ni para obligarle a hacer nada. ¿Me da permiso de hablar con usted sobre las opciones que tiene?' (Thank you for telling me. You don't deserve what's happening to you. I'm here to help you — not to judge you or force you to do anything. May I talk with you about the options you have?) Resources — '¿Sabe que hay una línea gratuita de ayuda para violencia doméstica? Se llama 1-800-799-7233 — tienen operadores en español, disponibles las 24 horas.' (Did you know there's a free domestic violence help line? It's 1-800-799-7233 — they have Spanish-speaking operators available 24 hours.)

How do social workers explain insurance options to uninsured Spanish-speaking patients?

Insurance navigation conversation in Spanish: Medicaid/Medi-Cal eligibility — 'Si sus ingresos son bajos, puede calificar para Medicaid — se llama Medi-Cal en California y tiene otros nombres en otros estados. Cubre médico, hospital, medicamentos, y más, sin costo o con muy poco costo.' (If your income is low, you may qualify for Medicaid — it's called Medi-Cal in California and has other names in other states. It covers doctor, hospital, medications, and more, at no cost or very low cost.) CHIP for children — 'Si tiene hijos menores de diecinueve años, sus hijos pueden calificar para cobertura de salud aunque los padres no califiquen — se llama CHIP.' (If you have children under nineteen, your children may qualify for health coverage even if the parents don't qualify — it's called CHIP.) Marketplace plans — 'Si trabaja y no califica para Medicaid, hay planes de salud en el Mercado de Seguros — algunos son gratis o muy baratos dependiendo de sus ingresos.' (If you work and don't qualify for Medicaid, there are health plans in the Insurance Marketplace — some are free or very cheap depending on your income.) Hospital financial assistance — 'El hospital tiene un programa de ayuda financiera — si no puede pagar la factura, puede aplicar para reducción o cancelación del cargo. No se vaya sin preguntar por eso.' (The hospital has a financial assistance program — if you can't pay the bill, you can apply for reduction or cancellation of the charge. Don't leave without asking about that.)

Healthcare social work Spanish

Spanish for social workers in healthcare: discharge planning, SDOH screening, and psychosocial assessment

Hospital social work is the discipline that most directly encounters the social determinants that drive 80% of health outcomes — and for Spanish-speaking patients, those determinants (housing, food insecurity, immigration status, domestic violence, transportation) are often hidden behind language barriers. A social worker who can screen for these factors in the patient's own language hears a fundamentally different story than one working through an interpreter on a phone line. This page gives healthcare social workers the working Spanish for their core tasks: discharge planning, SDOH screening, advance directive conversations, domestic violence screening, and insurance navigation.

Quick reference. Related pages: informed consent in Spanish for the patient-rights conversation that often involves social work, and explaining diagnosis in Spanish for the disclosure conversation that precedes advance directive planning.

Introducing the social work role

"Social worker" has negative connotations in some communities — associated with child protective services or immigration enforcement. Address this directly.

"Soy la trabajadora social del hospital — no estoy aquí por ningún problema. Es parte de la atención estándar que todos los pacientes reciben. Mi trabajo es asegurarme de que tiene lo que necesita cuando salga del hospital y conectarle con recursos que puedan ayudar." — I'm the hospital social worker — I'm not here because of any problem. It's part of the standard care that all patients receive. My job is to make sure you have what you need when you leave the hospital and to connect you with resources that can help.
"Lo que me diga es confidencial — no se lo voy a decir a inmigración, a la policía, ni a nadie fuera del equipo médico que le está atendiendo." — What you tell me is confidential — I won't tell immigration, the police, or anyone outside the medical team caring for you.

Discharge planning assessment

Discharge planning for Spanish-speaking patients requires understanding their home environment, social support, and access to follow-up care — often complicated by multigenerational households, informal support structures, and limited transportation options.

Living situation and support

"¿Dónde va a ir cuando salga del hospital — a su casa, a casa de un familiar, o necesitamos buscar otra opción?" — Where will you go when you leave the hospital — to your home, to a family member's home, or do we need to find another option?
"¿Hay alguien que pueda estar con usted los primeros días para ayudarle con los medicamentos, las comidas, y el cuidado? ¿Un familiar, una vecina, alguien de su iglesia?" — Is there someone who can be with you the first few days to help with medications, meals, and care? A family member, a neighbor, someone from your church?
"¿Puede manejar o alguien lo puede llevar a sus citas médicas y a la farmacia? ¿O necesitamos buscarle transporte médico?" — Can you drive or can someone take you to your medical appointments and the pharmacy? Or do we need to find medical transportation for you?

Post-discharge care needs

"El médico va a indicar que necesita [visitas de enfermería en casa / terapia física / cambios de vendaje]. ¿Tiene alguien que pueda ayudarle con eso, o necesitamos organizar un servicio?" — The doctor will indicate that you need [home nursing visits / physical therapy / dressing changes]. Do you have someone who can help you with that, or do we need to arrange a service?
"¿Puede manejarse solo en casa — levantarse, ir al baño, preparar algo de comer? ¿O eso es difícil ahora mismo?" — Can you manage alone at home — getting up, going to the bathroom, preparing something to eat? Or is that difficult right now?

Social determinants of health screening

SDOH screening for Spanish-speaking patients requires cultural sensitivity and a non-judgmental framing. Many patients will underreport housing instability, food insecurity, or financial stress out of shame or fear.

Housing

"¿Tiene un lugar estable dónde vivir? ¿Ha habido algún problema con la vivienda — riesgo de que lo desalojen, o no tiene seguridad de poder quedarse?" — Do you have a stable place to live? Have there been any housing problems — risk of eviction, or no certainty that you can stay?

Food security

"En el último mes, ¿hubo momentos en que no tenía suficiente comida en casa o no tenía dinero para comprarla?" — In the last month, were there times when you didn't have enough food at home or didn't have money to buy it?
If positive: "Hay bancos de comida cerca de su casa que no preguntan papeles — ¿le gustaría que le diera la información?" — There are food banks near your home that don't ask for papers — would you like me to give you the information?

Financial strain

"¿Está teniendo dificultades económicas — con los gastos del día a día o con los gastos médicos?" — Are you having financial difficulties — with daily expenses or with medical expenses?
Hospital financial assistance: "El hospital tiene un programa de ayuda financiera para pacientes que no pueden pagar. No importa si tiene seguro o no — puede aplicar. No se vaya sin preguntar por la trabajadora social financiera." — The hospital has a financial assistance program for patients who can't pay. It doesn't matter if you have insurance or not — you can apply. Don't leave without asking about the financial social worker.

Advance directive conversations

Advance directive discussions with Latino patients require particular sensitivity. Many patients interpret the conversation as a sign the provider has given up hope, and the concept of documenting end-of-life wishes may conflict with cultural beliefs that "only God decides." Frame these documents as protection for the patient's wishes, not preparation for death.

What it is: "Hay un documento — se llama testamento vital o instrucciones anticipadas — que le permite decirle a los médicos y a su familia qué tipo de tratamiento quiere recibir si algún día usted no puede hablar por sí mismo. No es para cuando esté enfermo ahora — es para proteger sus deseos en el futuro." — There's a document — called a living will or advance directive — that lets you tell doctors and your family what type of treatment you want if someday you can't speak for yourself. It's not for when you're sick now — it's to protect your wishes in the future.
Healthcare proxy: "¿Hay una persona de confianza que quiera que tome decisiones médicas por usted si usted no puede? Esa persona se llama apoderado médico. Puede ser su cónyuge, un hijo, un hermano, o cualquier adulto en quien confíe." — Is there a trusted person you want to make medical decisions for you if you can't? That person is called a healthcare proxy. It can be your spouse, a child, a sibling, or any adult you trust.
Cultural bridge: "Esto no quiere decir que está renunciando a que luchen por su vida — significa que la persona que usted elija va a saber exactamente lo que usted quiere, y no va a tener que adivinar." — This doesn't mean you're giving up on fighting for your life — it means the person you choose will know exactly what you want, and won't have to guess.

Domestic violence screening

Domestic violence screening must always be done with the patient alone — never with a partner, family member, or anyone who arrived with the patient. If a companion is present, arrange a private moment before asking.

Universal framing: "Le voy a hacer una pregunta que le hacemos a todos los pacientes — no porque haya algún problema, sino porque la violencia doméstica es muy común y queremos que todos sepan que pueden hablar con nosotros." — I'm going to ask you a question we ask all patients — not because there's any problem, but because domestic violence is very common and we want everyone to know they can talk to us.
The question: "¿Se siente seguro en casa? ¿Alguien en su casa le ha golpeado, amenazado, o le hace sentir miedo?" — Do you feel safe at home? Has anyone at home hit you, threatened you, or makes you feel afraid?
If positive: "Le agradezco que me lo haya dicho. Usted no merece esto. Estoy aquí para ayudarle — no para obligarle a hacer nada. ¿Me permite hablarle sobre las opciones que tiene?" — Thank you for telling me. You don't deserve this. I'm here to help you — not to force you to do anything. May I tell you about the options you have?
Hotline: "La Línea Nacional contra la Violencia Doméstica es 1-800-799-7233 — tienen operadores en español, es gratis y confidencial, las 24 horas." — The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-7233 — they have Spanish-speaking operators, it's free and confidential, 24 hours.

Insurance and benefits navigation

Many Spanish-speaking patients do not know about insurance programs they qualify for, or believe incorrectly that their immigration status disqualifies them. Social workers are often the only person who will have this conversation.

"¿Tiene seguro médico ahora mismo — Medicaid, Medicare, seguro del trabajo, o del mercado de seguros?" — Do you have health insurance right now — Medicaid, Medicare, work insurance, or marketplace insurance?
Medicaid eligibility: "Si sus ingresos son bajos, puede calificar para Medicaid — en California se llama Medi-Cal. Cubre médico, hospital, medicamentos. Le puede ayudar a aplicar ahora mismo si quiere." — If your income is low, you may qualify for Medicaid — in California it's called Medi-Cal. It covers doctor, hospital, medications. I can help you apply right now if you'd like.
Undocumented patients: "No importa su situación migratoria para aplicar — hay programas disponibles. Lo que me dice aquí es confidencial." — Your immigration status doesn't matter to apply — there are programs available. What you tell me here is confidential.
Financial assistance: "El hospital tiene asistencia financiera — si la factura es muy alta para usted, puede aplicar para que la reduzcan o la cancelen. No asuma que tiene que pagarla toda." — The hospital has financial assistance — if the bill is too high for you, you can apply to have it reduced or cancelled. Don't assume you have to pay it all.

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Disclaimer

ClinicaLingo is a language-training tool. The phrases on this page support healthcare social workers communicating with Spanish-speaking patients within their professional scope. Domestic violence screening protocols, advance directive forms, Medicaid eligibility rules, and financial assistance programs vary by state and institution — always follow your facility's policies and consult your institution's compliance and legal teams for specific guidance. Language training is not legal advice.

Frequently asked questions

How do social workers introduce themselves to Spanish-speaking patients?

"Soy la trabajadora social del hospital — vengo a hablar con usted sobre lo que va a necesitar cuando salga. No estoy aquí por ningún problema ni para reportar nada — es parte del cuidado que todos los pacientes reciben. Lo que hablemos es confidencial." (I'm the hospital social worker — I'm here to talk with you about what you'll need when you leave. I'm not here because of any problem or to report anything — it's part of the care all patients receive. What we discuss is confidential.) Always address the confidentiality concern proactively — for undocumented patients or those with past CPS involvement, this reassurance determines whether the conversation is honest or guarded.

How do I ask about immigration status sensitively for resource referrals?

Don't ask about status directly. Instead, frame it around eligibility: "Hay recursos disponibles para personas de diferentes situaciones — con o sin documentos. Para entender a cuáles califica, me ayuda saber si tiene número de seguro social o si no." (There are resources available for people in different situations — documented or not. To understand which ones you qualify for, it helps me to know if you have a Social Security number or not.) If they decline to answer, proceed with resources that don't require documentation. Never request proof of status.

How do hospital social workers explain SNF placement in Spanish?

"El médico recomienda que, antes de volver a casa, usted vaya a un centro de rehabilitación — se llama casa de convalecencia o SNF (Skilled Nursing Facility). Es un lugar donde puede recuperarse con cuidado de enfermería y terapia física todos los días — generalmente de dos a cuatro semanas, hasta que esté listo para manejar en casa." (The doctor recommends that, before returning home, you go to a rehabilitation center — called a convalescent home or SNF. It's a place where you can recover with nursing care and daily physical therapy — usually two to four weeks, until you're ready to manage at home.) Clarify: it is not a nursing home permanently — this confusion causes patients to refuse placement.

How do social workers explain POLST/DNR to Spanish-speaking patients?

"Hay un formulario médico — en algunos estados se llama POLST — que le dice a los paramédicos y enfermeras exactamente qué hacer si usted tiene una emergencia médica grave. Le pregunta cosas como: ¿quiere que intenten reanimarle si el corazón para? ¿Quiere estar en la máquina de respiración si no puede respirar? No es una decisión permanente — puede cambiarlo cuando quiera. ¿Le gustaría hablar sobre lo que preferiría?" (There's a medical form — in some states called POLST — that tells paramedics and nurses exactly what to do if you have a serious medical emergency. It asks things like: do you want them to try to resuscitate you if your heart stops? Do you want to be on the breathing machine if you can't breathe? It's not a permanent decision — you can change it whenever you want. Would you like to talk about what you'd prefer?)

What is the Spanish phrase for "do you feel safe at home"?

The standard universal DV screening phrase: "¿Se siente seguro en casa?" (Do you feel safe at home?) Follow immediately with: "¿Alguien en casa le ha lastimado, amenazado, o le hace sentir miedo?" (Has anyone at home hurt you, threatened you, or makes you feel afraid?) Always screen alone — if a companion is present, ask for a private moment: "Voy a pedirle al señor/señora que nos espere afuera un momento — es parte del proceso estándar." (I'm going to ask the gentleman/lady to wait outside for a moment — it's part of the standard process.)