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Gerontological social work: reflections on its role, purpose and value
- Authors:
- RAY Mo, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Social Work, 45(4), 2015, pp.1296-1312.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Over the last twenty years, successive welfare policies have undermined gerontological social work as a specialist area of social work practice. The UK's ageing population offers an opportunity for gerontological social work to rebuild itself. Increasing numbers of older people with long-term conditions, significant growth in the population of family carers and enhanced community-based living for people with long-term needs combine to reposition social work as, potentially, playing a crucial role in the achievement of key policy goals. The particular skill and knowledge set of social workers uniquely equips them to manage the intersection of issues that currently challenge health and welfare services: complex needs, risk, transitions, end of life, carer stress and frailty. That older service users value the approach, input and expertise of social workers and that social workers have greater capacity to deliver sustainable support are also relevant. For gerontological social work to have a future, not only is it required to reclaim its specialist role, but it must re-establish its commitment to social justice, invest in building an evidence base of effectiveness and embed ageing-related teaching in the social work curriculum. (Edited publisher abstract)
Excellent social work with older people: a discussion paper
- Author:
- COLLEGE OF SOCIAL WORK
- Publisher:
- College of Social Work
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 5
- Place of publication:
- London
Discussion paper setting out the College of Social Work's proposals for delivering excellence in social work with older people. It also presents their ideas on why and how social work should be better recognised as a specialism in its own right. The College proposes that: employers of social workers make it clear to older people in their communities how social work can support them and how they can access services; commissioners, employers, and the wider social work professions recognise social work with older people as a specialist area of practice; clarification and strengthening of the role of social workers in policy and guidance relevant to older people; and that research evidence to be properly utilised to ensure social work with older people continues to evolve and improve the lived experiences of older people. The paper seeks feedback on the follow areas: how should excellence be defined in terms of social work with older people; what difference can excellent social work make; and how can social work with older people be better recognised and valued. The deadline for responses is Tuesday 24th February at 5pm. (Edited publisher abstract)
Working with LGBT Baby Boomers and older adults: factors that signal a welcoming service environment
- Authors:
- CROGHAN Catherine F., MOONE Rajean P., OLSON Andrea M.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 58(6), 2015, pp.637-651.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Many providers recognize the importance of creating culturally competent services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) older adults. Although multiple resources list steps to make professional practices more LGBT-welcoming, these resources provide no empirical data to support their recommendations. LGBT older adults (N = 327) were asked to describe what signals that a provider is LGBT-welcoming. Six of the top 10 signals related to provider behaviour and suggest the importance of staff training; the balance included display of signage and rainbow flags, use of inclusive language on forms and the presence of LGBT-identified staff. Results provide evidence-based recommendations for working with LGBT older adults. (Edited publisher abstract)
Modeling active aging and explicit memory: an empirical study
- Authors:
- DE LEON Laura Ponce, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Work, 40(3), 2015, pp.183-190.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
The rapid growth of the population of older adults and their concomitant psychological status and health needs have captured the attention of researchers and health professionals. To help fill the void of literature available to social workers interested in mental health promotion and ageing, the authors provide a model for active ageing that uses psychosocial variables. Structural equation modelling was used to examine the relationships among the latent variables of the state of explicit memory, the perception of social resources, depression, and the perception of quality of life in a sample of 184 older adults. The results suggest that explicit memory is not a direct indicator of the perception of quality of life, but it could be considered an indirect indicator as it is positively correlated with perception of social resources and negatively correlated with depression. These last two variables influenced the perception of quality of life directly, the former positively and the latter negatively. The main outcome suggests that the perception of social support improves explicit memory and quality of life and reduces depression in active older adults. The findings also suggest that gerontological professionals should design memory training programs, improve available social resources, and offer environments with opportunities to exercise memory. (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)
The evolving role of Geriatric Emergency Department social work in the era of Health Care Reform
- Author:
- HAMILTON Christine
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work in Health Care, 54(9), 2015, pp.849-868.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
In the era of Medicaid Redesign and the Affordable Care Act, the emergency department (ED) presents major opportunities for social workers to assume a leading role in the delivery of care. Through GEDI WISE—Geriatric Emergency Department Innovations in care through Workforce, Informatics and Structural Enhancements,—a unique multidisciplinary partnership made possible by an award from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, social workers in The Mount Sinai ED have successfully contributed to improvements in health outcomes and transitions for older adults receiving emergency care. This article will describe the pivotal and highly valued role of the ED social worker in contributing to the multidisciplinary accomplishments of GEDI WISE objectives in this new model of care. (Publisher abstract)
The role of the Court of Protection in safeguarding
- Authors:
- KEENE Alex Ruck, STRICKLIN-COUTINHO Kelly, GILFILLAN Henry
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Adult Protection, 17(6), 2015, pp.380-390.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to outline how questions relating to capacity arise in the context of safeguarding, and when applications to the Court of Protection are required in relation to those who may lack capacity. It also seeks to provide guidance as to how applications to the Court of Protection should be made so as to ensure that they are determined effectively and in a proportionate fashion. Design/methodology/approach: The paper draws on the practical experience of practising barristers appearing before the Court of Protection, and on the experience of a social worker who is an MCA/DOLS lead at a London local authority. The paper proceeds by way of a review of the relevant statutory provisions, an overview of the Court of Protection and then to a practical analysis of when and how applications to the Court need to be made. Findings: When to go to the Court of Protection in the safeguarding context is poorly understood, and there has not been proper recognition of the fact that proceedings for “adult care orders” have a strong forensic analogy with applications for care orders in relation to children. It is only by recognising these forensic similarities that local authorities can properly make use of the Court of Protection in the discharge of their obligations to vulnerable adults in their area. Practical implications: The paper should lead to a recognition that there is a specialist “adult protection court” within the Court of Protection, and that applications for adult care orders to that court require specific and careful preparation and presentation. It will therefore lead to better use of the Court of Protection in the safeguarding context and – ultimately – a better balance between empowerment and protection of vulnerable adults who may lack capacity. Originality/value: The paper is original in combining both legal and social work expertise to reach practical conclusions as to why such poor use has been made of the Court of Protection in safeguarding context. Its value lies in the deployment of that expertise to suggest how better use can be made in the future. (Publisher abstract)
Predicting gay affirmative practice from the theory of planned behavior
- Authors:
- WARREN Allison R., STEFFEN Ann M., WAYLAND Sherrill
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 58(7-8), 2015, pp.671-683.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This study utilised the theory of planned behaviour to examine individual intentions to engage in gay affirmative practice among ageing-focused professionals (N = 83) in the Midwestern United States. Participants completed self-report measures of perceived agency norms and individual attitudes related to the treatment of gay men and lesbians, intentions to provide gay affirmative care, and perceived behavioural control. Attitudes, norms and perceived behavioural control were examined as predictors of intentions; attitudes of individual ageing-service professionals emerged as the strongest predictor. Results indicated that affirmative attitudes within the agency may be important in predicting intentions to provide this type of care. (Edited publisher abstract)
HIV-related cognitive dysfunction: implications for aging and social work
- Authors:
- VANCE David E., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work in Mental Health, 13(6), 2015, pp.553-570.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Half of adults with HIV experience HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder (HAND). HIV infects microglial and macrophages in the brain, resulting in a neurotoxic environment that inhibits the function of neurons, thus impairing cognition. Social workers require an understanding of how HIV-related cognitive dysfunction develops within the larger context of mental illness, substance use, and socioeconomic status. This article briefly reviews the clinical diagnosis of HAND and some interrelated neurobiological and psychosocial factors. Research implications for improving cognition are important as one considers: (1) The impact of the ageing process on cognition and (2) the growing number of older adults with HIV. (Edited publisher abstract)
Social work practice with LGBT elders at end of life: developing practice evaluation and clinical skills through a cultural perspective
- Author:
- ARTHUR Darren P.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Work in End-of-Life and Palliative Care, 11(2), 2015, pp.178-201.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia
This article focuses on culturally sensitive clinical issues related to best practices with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) elder patients at end-of-life (EOL) at key points in the therapeutic relationship. Vital concepts, including practice evaluation and clinical skills, are presented through a cultural and oncology lens. There is a paucity of LGBT research and literature as well as a shortfall of MSW graduate school education specific to social work palliative and end-of-life care (PELC) practice with LGBT elders. The content of this article is designed to be adapted and used as an educational tool for institutions, agencies, graduate programmes, medical professions, social work, and students. Learning the unique elements of LGBT cultural history and their implications on EOL care can improve social work practice. This article provides an examination from assessment and engagement basics to advance care planning incorporating specific LGBT EOL issues. (Edited publisher abstract)