Search results for ‘Subject term:"older people"’ Sort:
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Lessons from America
- Authors:
- SULLIVAN Mary Pat, MILNE Alisoun
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work Matters (e-Magazine), February 2014, Online only
- Publisher:
- The College of Social Work
As the population ages, the author argues there is a need to develop gerontologise social work and build the profession's capacity to improve care for older people and their families. The article draws on practice from the United States which demonstrate the effective contribution that social work plays in the care of older people. Details of the John A Hartford Geriatric Social Work Initiative in the United States is provided as a case study of a programme to promote cultural change in social work to ensure it is meeting the needs of an ageing society in terms of social work education, training and competency. (Original abstract)
On the edge of a new frontier: is gerontological social work in the UK ready to meet twenty-first-century challenges?
- Authors:
- RICHARDS Sally, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Social Work, 44(8), 2014, pp.2307-2324.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
This article explores the readiness of gerontological social work in the UK for meeting the challenges of an ageing society by investigating the focus on work with older people in social work education and the scope of gerontological social work research. The discussion draws on findings from two exploratory studies: a survey of qualifying master's programmes in England and a survey of the content relating to older people over a six-year period in four leading UK social work journals. The evidence from master's programmes suggests widespread neglect of ageing in teaching content and practice learning. Social work journals present a more nuanced picture. Older people emerge within coverage of generic policy issues for adults, such as personalisation and safeguarding, and there is good evidence of the complexity of need in late life. However, there is little attention to effective social work interventions, with an increasingly diverse older population, or to the quality of gerontological social work education. The case is made for infusing content on older people throughout the social work curriculum, for extending practice learning opportunities in social work with older people and for increasing the volume and reporting of gerontological social work research. (Publisher abstract)
Building social inclusion for rural older people using information and communication technologies: perspectives of rural practitioners
- Authors:
- WARBURTON Jeni, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Australian Social Work, 67(4), 2014, pp.479-494.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The literature identifies rural, older people as at risk of social exclusion, as a result of rural disadvantage. In this context, improved access to information and communication technologies (ICTs) has potential to build social inclusion, yet current evidence shows that rural, older people are the lowest current users of technology. This paper draws on the practice and local knowledge of rural practitioners from one Victorian region in order to explore: (a) the practice issues associated with ICT use among rural, older people; and (b) the characteristics of effective practice models in the rural, social work context. An analysis of findings highlights the need to respond to the diverse skills, needs, and learning styles of older people, to demonstrate the benefits of ICTs, involve users, and build confidence. Major barriers include poor ICT usage by many rural agencies and low practitioner capacity, as well as access and resources. (Publisher abstract)
New directions for the study of incarcerated older adults: using social capital theory
- Authors:
- JANG Eunyoung, CANADA Kelli E
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 57(8), 2014, pp.858-871.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
As the population of older adults continues to rise, so, too, does the population of older adults in prison. The body of literature on older adults in corrections is scant, particularly with regard to health and social functioning. Past studies of ageing inmates primarily focus on health care and related costs. The purpose of this article is twofold: (a) outline and synthesise the research on older adults living in prison; and (b) propose a framework for future research and intervention development based on social capital theory. Recommendations for social work practice, programmes, and research are discussed. (Edited publisher abstract)
Older adult and family member perspectives of the decision-making process involved in moving to assisted living
- Authors:
- KOENIG Terry L., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Qualitative Social Work, 13(3), 2014, pp.335-350.
- Publisher:
- Sage
The decision to move into assisted living (AL) can be viewed as a life-changing process for older adults and their families; and each may possess differing views of this process. This qualitative study examined the AL decision-making process as described by twenty-two older adult and family member dyads. Participants described emotional and logistical components related to the AL moving decision. Further, fifteen of twenty-two dyads expressed conflicting or differing views of the AL moving decision. Our discussion examines the need for future studies to explore the impact of family and older adult disagreements on the older adult’s AL adjustment; the necessity for community-based agencies and AL settings to provide social services over the duration of the decision-making process; and the importance of employing social workers skilled in family practice in the AL setting. (Publisher abstract)
Exploring the role of independent organisations in care coordination for older people in England
- Authors:
- XIE Chengqiu, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Work, 14(4), 2014, pp.419-438.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Summary Social care policies advocate the provision of coordinated care and the involvement of the independent sector in service planning and delivery. This study explores the characteristics of the independent organisations involved in care coordination for older people, the tasks undertaken, and management of the interface between the commissioning authorities and these organisations. The findings are based on semistructured telephone interviews conducted in 2009 with representatives from 25 local authorities in England regarding 40 organisations. Findings All organisations identified are voluntary in nature. They were diverse in terms of size, staffing, and history, typically undertaking care coordination for discrete user groups but few exclusively for older people. A range of care coordination activities were reported: assessment, brokerage, support planning, and monitoring and review. The extent of their involvement in these activities varied markedly. Commissioning and contracting arrangements differed; most organisations had short-term contracts. The main mechanism of contract monitoring was activity data returns; there was a lack of more detailed service evaluation. Both opportunities and challenges exist with regard to the future role of voluntary organisations in care coordination. Applications This study highlights the potential for voluntary organisations to undertake care coordination activities. To achieve this, partnership working between service commissioners and these organisations is required, and funding and support are essential for provider organisations to develop appropriate infrastructures. Information governance arrangements are required to facilitate information sharing. The potential expansion of the role of voluntary organisations and the implications for practitioners with respect to their employment prospects are explored. (Publisher abstract)
Critical educational gerontology: what has it got to offer social work with older people?
- Author:
- HAFFORD-LETCHFIELD Trish
- Journal article citation:
- European Journal of Social Work, 17(3), 2014, pp.433-446.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Critical educational gerontology argues for a moral goal of learning in later life to develop alternative visions for democratic social change whereby older people are empowered to resist and overcome various forms of discrimination. If the development of critical consciousness within the older people's social movement is an important precursor to critical action where the self is a key site of politicisation, different approaches will need to be developed and fostered within social work with older people. Adopting a learning and educational approach within practice could facilitate a more liberating approach to achieving sustainable support and emphasise self-directed support. Embedding older people's experiences within a critical paradigm recognises the political nature of educational interventions in later life. This paper argues that learning offers a collective and negotiated enterprise with which empowerment could be promoted and older people given more control over their lives in accordance with the core aims of social work. It examines the potential contribution of critical educational gerontology to social work with older people with reference to practice examples and aims to stimulate debate about what is needed to further embed this approach within different models of practice. (Publisher abstract)
Look after yourself: active ageing, individual responsibility and the decline of social work with older people in the UK
- Authors:
- LLOYD Liz, et al
- Journal article citation:
- European Journal of Social Work, 17(3), 2014, pp.322-335.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The idea of active ageing retains a broad appeal and has a global reach, particularly through the influence of the World Health Organisation (WHO). However, in practice it has been the subject of criticism. In this article, it is argued that the incorporation of active ageing into the policy agendas of the welfare systems for older people should be understood by reference to the perceived effects of demographic trends on demand for services. In the context of the British welfare system, the active ageing agenda has become inextricably linked with the broader policy agenda to reduce older people's call on public resources in order to manage the increasing proportions of older people in the British population. The implications of these developments for social work are significant. (Publisher abstract)
Social work and intervention with older people in Portugal: a critical point of view
- Author:
- CARVALHO Maria Irene
- Journal article citation:
- European Journal of Social Work, 17(3), 2014, pp.336-352.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Even before ageing became a challenge to society, it already was for social work professionals. What interested the social work professionals were the older people who accumulated low incomes, poverty, loneliness, isolation, disease and several outbuildings. The increasing number of older and much older people reconfigured the intervention of professionals in this area. This intervention is in accordance with the policies of the welfare state, based on the rights and human dignity and a paradigm of social development oriented to social cohesion. The professionals are now responsible for older people policies in social and health care areas. The article includes an analysis of the relationship between social work, ageing and policies for older people and some exploratory results obtained through the analysis of relevant documents that allowed us to characterise the field of social work intervention with older people in the social security system and field of social action. This integrated analysis in a context of economic crisis takes a critical perspective on the impacts of reconfiguration policies for the older people and social work in those days. (Publisher abstract)
Future directions for investment: social work with older people
- Authors:
- MILNE Alisoun, et al
- Publisher:
- The College of Social Work
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 43
- Place of publication:
- London
This discussion paper makes the case for investing in a specialist social work role to work with older people. The authors make both and economic and a moral and professional case for a specialist role. The paper begins by providing a context for the discussion, focusing on the ageing population, increasing use of services and current policy issues. It then outlines the international evidence base for specialist social work with older people and the contribution specialist social work can make to older people's health and wellbeing in the UK. Areas discussed include community social work, preventive safeguarding, support for carers, and working with older people with dementia or at the end of life. The final section summarises future directions for social work with older people and their families and the need to invest in specialist services. This is one of series of papers published by The College of Social Work investigating the moral and financial case for investing in adult social work. (Original abstract)