100804: Social Work with Older Adults

About the Course:

This course consists of two articles. (Article 1 Social Work with Older People of Tomorrow: Restoring the Person-In-Situation ) The author proposes that, in practice with older adults, the social work profession revisit its traditional allegiance to the person-in-situation paradigm and redress an imbalance that has obscured older clients as persons in their own right. The case is made that older adults and their subjective reality must be restored as a focus of social work practice if the profession is to play a significant and much-needed role in community-based services to a growing future population of older persons living in their own homes and directing their lives but in need of support. Building on the practice wisdom of the past and current generic models of social work practice in North America, guidelines are presented as a starting place for building practice models applicable to older clients. The broader context of community health and social services programs is examined from the perspective of the obstacles to and potential opportunities for increasing professional social work services to older persons and their families. (Article Two Social Work with Older Adults and their Families: Changing Practice Paradigms ) Given the far-reaching social, economic, and demographic changes in the aging population, the authors argue for a methodological and practice-oriented transformation in future geriatric social work. The authors suggest that if they are to maintain their independence and well-being, a resilience-enhancing social work intervention will be especially effective in fostering the specific survival skills that older adults often already utilize to help them cope with difficult situations. A risk–resilience model sensitive to ethnic difference and practiced at multiple systems levels (e.g., the community) is offered as an advancement of the traditional models of social work practice. In conclusion, the authors emphasize the value of a strengths perspective to address the pressing issues that affect the aging population. COURSE SYLLABUS Article One I. Introduction II. Evolution of Social Work Practice with Older Adults III. Key Trends and Challenges IV. The Person-In-Situation: A Review of the Practice Literature V. Restoring the Person-In-Situation Framework VI. Practice Guidelines VII. Differential Aspects of Practice with Older Adults VIII. The Broader Context of Community-Based Social Services IX. Obstacles to Providing Professional Social Work Services Article Two I. A Climate of Change II. Changes in Practice Models III. The Successful Aging Paradigm IV. Risk and Resilience Theory V. Research and Resilience VI. Implications for Practice

Publication Date:

2005/ Vol. 86, No. 3

Authors

Barbara Silverstone, DSW, LMSW; Roberta Greene, PhD, MSW; Harriet L. Cohen, PhD, MSW

About the Authors:

(Article 1) Recently retired President and CEO Lighthouse International

(Article 2) Chair, School of Gerontology and Social Welfare University of Texas

(Article 2) Assistant Professor Texas Christian University

Recommended For:

This course is recommended for social workers, counselors, psychologists, and other human services and behavioral health professionals who seek knowledge about older adults. It is appropriate for participants with intermediate to advanced levels of knowledge about the topic.

Course Objectives:

1. describe the potential applicability of the risk and resilience theory to social work practice with older adults.

2. identify key future trends and challenges for older adults in the U.S.

3. describe the move away from the person-in-situation social work perspective with older adults and the methods and benefits of restoring this perspective.