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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)
Visioning the future of gerontological digital social work
- Authors:
- MOIS George, FORTUNA Karen L.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 63(5), 2020, pp.412-427.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Gerontological Social Work education has been substantially altered by the advancement of today’s digital technologies, influencing both the training and tools required to ensure student success in social work research, policy, and practice. The goal of this paper is to present the state of the science on gerontological digital social work education, identify implications for emerging technologies, and define areas for social work student competencies and proficiencies to advance the field of gerontological digital social work. This paper underlines the role of gerontological digital social work education in preparing future researchers, practitioners, and policymakers when engaging in Digital Therapeutic Teams. We provide insightful considerations pertaining to emerging technologies which present unique opportunities for innovation. Furthermore, this paper presents training and education opportunities for social work education in preparing future gerontologist practitioners, researchers, and policymakers to engage in multidisciplinary team efforts and leverage digital technologies and digital therapeutics. (Edited publisher abstract)
Health and social work practitioners’ experiences of working with risk and older people: the interconnectedness of personalities, process and policy
- Authors:
- BEECH Christian, VERITY Fiona
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Integrated Care, 28(2), 2020, pp.197-211.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
The purpose of this paper is to explore interprofessional and multidisciplinary working between health and social care practitioners providing services to older people through the prism of how risk is assessed and managed. It proposes that whilst interprofessional and multidisciplinary working is a broad and commonly researched topic, there is a relative paucity of evidence specifically regarding how health and social care practitioners work together across structural, cultural and ideological divides. The study aims to expand the domain of integrated health and social care by including perceptions, understanding and use of the concept of risk by professionals from different disciplines.Design/methodology/approach: This paper is based upon an exploratory study using an interpretivist phenomenological perspective, including 23 semi-structured individual interviews with health and social care practitioners and 2 non-participant observations of multidisciplinary team meetings. Findings:The paper provides empirical insights around the complex dynamics of interprofessional and multidisciplinary working between health and social care practitioners, in particular the saliency of the interconnectedness of individual practitioner Personalities with the Process of interprofessional and multidisciplinary working under the auspices of relevant Policy drivers. Research limitations/implications: The research was conducted in Wales and, due to the increasingly divergent policy context within the UK, the research results may lack generalisability from a wider UK or international perspective. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test the propositions of this research further.Practical implications: The paper includes implications for both interprofessional and multidisciplinary policy and practice with older people. With new models of integrated care being sought, the findings of this study may offer a timely and valuable contribution, particularly from the inclusion of a social care perspective and in better understanding the interconnectedness of practitioner personalities with process and policy. Originality/value: This paper fulfils an identified need to study the complex dynamics and interconnectedness between health and social care practitioners who work together to provide services to older people. (Edited publisher abstract)
"Working with COW": social work supporting older women living in the community
- Authors:
- RAWSTHORNE Margot, ELLIS Kayleigh, de PREE Alison
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 60(1), 2017, pp.32-47.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Australia, like all developed Western countries, is experiencing a demographic shift resulting in an increasing proportion of the population being over the age of 65 years. Contrary to stereotypes, the vast majority of older people live independently in communities. This article explores the potential of social work practice informed by community development principles to enable socially disadvantaged older women to live in vibrant and supportive communities, in which they feel safe and are able to access the support services they need. It argues that participation in social action not only builds older women’s well-being but also enables them to become (or continue to be) agents for social change in local communities. Adopting a community-based research methodology, this article draws on a decade of community development practice with the Concerned Older Women’s (COW) Group. This data suggests that community development practice based on participation, empowerment, and social action founded on respectful relationships may accrue significant benefits to individuals and the broader community. This social work practice creates the social conditions to facilitate older women’s capacity to work collectively to achieve social change, challenging ageist stereotypes. (Publisher abstract)
Queer aging: implications for social work practice with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer older adults
- Author:
- FABBRE Vanessa D.
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work: A journal of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), 62(1), 2017, pp.73-76.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
The social work profession has rapidly increased its awareness and inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity issues in practice discourse in recent years. This increased awareness includes ageing issues and extends the profession's commitment to the well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) older adults. Notably, social workers now have access to the National Resource Center on LGBT Aging (2016) and its plethora of resources for promoting the healthy ageing of LGBTQ older adults. This practice update offers guidance for practitioners who wish to enhance their abilities to support older LGBTQ clients. Specifically, the author proposes that the concept of queer ageing can be used as motivation for increasing self-awareness and attention to structural issues in direct practice. (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)
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)
Establishing empirically-informed practice with caregivers: findings from the CARES program
- Author:
- BLACK Kathy
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 56(6-7), 2013, pp.585-601.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
There is increasing interest in delivering efficacious interventions to caregivers. This study reports on the processes and findings from a modified approach of the Wraparound System of Care. The practice model is implemented over 4 phases and is based on 3 theoretical constructs and 10 principles. The evaluation utilized treatment fidelity measures and employed a quasi-experimental pretest/posttest design to examine caregiver outcomes (N = 120). Findings suggest significant improvement among caregivers’ self-reported health, life satisfaction, well-being, and quality of life, as well as a reduction in caregiver risk and burden. Delineation of the processes used in the model are presented. (Publisher abstract)
Promising practices useful in the design of an intergenerational program: ten assertions guiding program development
- Authors:
- BISHOP Jeffery D., MOXLEY David P.
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work in Mental Health, 10(3), 2012, pp.183-204.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
In the United States, practice in the field of aging is focusing on ‘ageing in place’, which itself incorporates a framework of positive aging, and can involve the community support of elders as ways to increase their quality of life and functioning. Undertaking qualitative developmental research for the purposes of designing a prototype intergenerational programme, this paper offers 10 assertions concerning promising practices. The authors undertook an analysis of 47 Web-based portrayals of intergenerational programmes and used Web-based documents that described those programmes to further illuminate promising practices. Using thematic analysis of program Web content, affinity coding, and dialogic interpretation the authors illuminated the programmes' salient properties and qualities, and formulated and refined their assertions about the distinctiveness of intergenerational programmes.