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Older people in the context of COVID-19: a European perspective
- Authors:
- PENTARIS Panagiotis, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 63(8), 2020, pp.736-742.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
The Coronavirus pandemic and associated measures for the protection of the public have impacted differently on different parts of the population and across different nations. In many areas, COVID-19 has also either exacerbated already existing or created new inequalities in relation to specific parts of the population. Older individuals are one group in society that has been widely impacted, while social isolation/shielding measures have placed them in higher risk of loneliness, isolation, financial deprivation and mental health challenges, to name a few. This commentary reflects on such inequalities across four European nations (the United Kingdom (UK), Republic of Ireland, Finland, Spain) and draws attention to the critical role of Gerontological Social Work (GSW), while emphasizing the ways in which social work can intervene. First, we identify common concerns for the rights of older people that span across all four nations, and second, we identify significant roles for GSW practitioners at the individual, community and policy levels and conclude with a call for GSW in these four nations to be reimagined in a time of global crisis. (Edited publisher abstract)
Applying gerontological social work perspectives to the coronavirus pandemic
- Authors:
- SWINFORD Emma, GALUCIA Natalie, MORROW-HOWELL Nancy
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 63(6-7), 2020, pp.513-523.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Social workers are familiar with the challenges brought on by the coronavirus pandemic; and we apply three gerontological social work perspectives that might increase our chances of minimizing negative outcomes and improving health and quality of life for everyone. First, the reality that the older population is very heterogeneous challenges ageism and age-stereotyping that has surfaced with COVID-19. Second, concepts of cumulative disadvantage and intersectionality offer clear explanations of the disparities that are being illuminated and lead us to advocate for fundamental changes to reduce disparities in later life and for people across the life course. Third, a strength-based perspective highlights the assets of the older population and the opportunities for positive developments coming out of the crisis. We can capitalize on momentum to increase advance care planning, to reduce social isolation, and expand the use of on-line technology for service provision. We can bolster our arguments to support older workers, volunteers, and caregivers. The fact that these social work perspectives are so applicable to the coronavirus situation reminds us of their fundamental relevance. Gerontological social work has much to offer in our roles as researchers, educators, practitioners, and advocates during this crisis, and our foundational principles serve us well. (Edited publisher abstract)
Medicalising the care of old people
- Author:
- SCRUTTON S.
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work Today, 23.6.88, 1988, pp.14-15.
- Publisher:
- British Association of Social Workers
Reliance on medical treatment for the problems of old age, along with increasingly ageist attitudes in society, provides a challenge that social work needs to face.
Social work with older people
- Author:
- MARSHALL Mary
- Publisher:
- Macmillan
- Publication year:
- 1983
- Pagination:
- 142p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
Older adults and Covid 19: social justice, disparities, and social work practice
- Author:
- COX Carole
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 63(6-7), 2020, pp.611-624.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
The Covid- 19 pandemic has brought immense challenges to almost every country as it spreads throughout their populations. Foremost among these challenges is the heightened awareness of inequalities in society and the immense toll that the virus has on the most vulnerable. Globally, older people are the most at risk of getting the virus and dying from the it. Yet, although age is a significant contributor, it is its interaction with other factors, chronic conditions, poverty, and race that makes it a strong determinant. These factors reflect disparities and systemic social injustices that interact to increase the vulnerability of older adults. This paper discusses the many roles that social work, with its focus on social change, injustice, and vulnerable groups can intervene at many levels of practice and with specific groups to alleviate these fundamental disparities. (Edited publisher abstract)
Critical social work with older people in neo-liberal times: challenges and critical possibilities
- Authors:
- HASTINGS Sandra J., ROGOWSKI Steve
- Journal article citation:
- Practice: Social Work in Action, 27(1), 2015, pp.21-33.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This article argues that the United Kingdom is institutionally ageist, a situation compounded by the current neo-liberal consensus embraced by all main political parties. It explores the concept of ageism, the practise of discrimination against older members of society. Involved is a discussion of critical gerontology, the role played by society in creating the condition of, and how this contributes to, the problematisation of old age. The role of social work with older people is also problematised given the changes associated with the managerialism, resulting in bureaucracy and targets, and the ever increasing need to ration resources. Despite all this, the argument is for a critical practice, one which seeks to genuinely address the needs of older people as well as aiming to create a more just and equal society that refutes ageism. (Publisher abstract)
Social protection of older people in Finland from the eighteenth to the twenty-first centuries: messages for current policy and practice from an historical analysis
- Author:
- TOPO Päivi
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Social Work, 41(5), July 2011, pp.876-893.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
This article explores how social protection of the elderly has evolved in Finland since the eighteenth century, and examines the influence of historical developments on current policy. It highlights two inter-connected themes in particular – the shifting levels of paternalism and the cycle from early ‘annual auctions’ through state provision to increased privatisation and commissioning of services. The shifting levels of paternalism show that there has been a shift from strong to weak paternalism and from the duties to the rights of people in their old age. Recent developments, however, show distressing indications of leaving the most vulnerable old people to fend for themselves in a complex care system. With respect to increased privatisation and commissioning of services, statistics show that more severe problems of health and functioning are now required before gaining access at higher charge to services of a quality that may have deteriorated. Abuse and violence are understood in this article as an issue of structural discrimination associated with old age, living in poverty or suffering from severe problems of health and functioning without access to necessary care and assistance. The implications for social work policy balancing protection and personalisation are discussed.
A social work perspective on how ageist language, discourses and understandings negatively frame older people and why taking a critical social work stance is essential
- Author:
- DUFFY Francis
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Social Work, 47(7), 2017, pp.2068-2085.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
As populations age around the globe, social workers will have more and more contact with older people, particularly in the practice fields of health care and social care services. Language and dominant discourses associated with older people and ageing in politics, in the media and other institutions are often underpinned by ageism and fail to convey accurate accounts and understandings of ageing issues. In response to how this pervasive ageism plays out in health care and social care services practice settings, this paper argues that all social workers urgently ought to move beyond conventional social work, which is most dominant in practice, and embrace more aspects of critical social work in relation to ageing societies and working with older people. This is necessary to identify, critique and challenge ill-informed and oppressive language, labels and discourses used to describe older people and explain ageing issues. Embedding gerontological social work as core learning in social work education is essential to social work achieving what is required to achieve these goals. (Publisher abstract)
A tapestry of voices: using elder focus groups to guide applied research practice
- Author:
- STEWART Sally
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 42(1), 2003, pp.77-87.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
One of the more subtle consequences of ageism is the exclusion of older adults from participating in the production of knowledge about issues that concern them. This qualitative study used 15 focus groups as a forum to elicit data about what elders themselves see as relevant and important areas for applied research. In addition to significant data that will be used to guide research initiatives at the Sheridan Elder Research Centre, the value that emerged in the process proved to be the validation of self-determination by elders, a principle fundamental to the Social Work Code of Ethics. This study demonstrates that, if given the opportunity to participate in decision-making about the scope and nature of applied research, older adults will contribute a wealth of rich data. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).
Predictors of graduate social work students' interest in aging-related work
- Authors:
- CUMMINGS Sherry M., GALAMBOS Colleen
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 39(3), 2002, pp.77-94.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
The increasing population of older adults in this country has created a growing demand for gerontological social workers. Despite this demand, few graduate level social work students indicate a preference for working with older clients. Using symbolic interactionism as a theoretical framework, this study sought to identify factors predictive of MSW students' interest in securing post-graduate geriatric employment. The contributions of closeness to elders, contact with elders, education, attitudes toward aging, and rewarding interactions with elders were examined. In the final model rewarding interactions with older clients, contact frequency, and geriatric skill level emerged as significant predictors of students' desire to pursue aging-related employment (F (8, 128) = 17.8, p < .0001, R2 = .54). Implications for social work education are discussed. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).