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Social Work with Older Adults The Social Work Experience 5th Edition Mary Ann Suppes & Carolyn Cressy Wells Chapter 9 This multimedia product and its contents are protected under copyright law. The following are prohibited by law: any public performance or display, including transmission of any image over a network; Preparation of any derivative work, including the extraction, in whole or in part, of any images; Any rental, lease, or lending of the program. © 2009 Allyn & Bacon Impact of the Industrial Age • The elderly became less valued for their wisdom and experience. • Early Social Workers worked with the elderly in their homes and in institutions to alleviate social problems. • The Depression highlighted poverty among the elderly and lead to the creation of the Social Security Act in 1935. • The AARP has become a formidable advocate for the needs of the elderly. • Social Workers can specialize in work with the elderly and earn NASW Gerontology credentials © 2009 Allyn & Bacon Profile of Older Americans (65+) • • • • • • Over 12% of the population 50% live in only 9 states Almost 50% of women are widowed 19% of men and about 9% of women are employed More than 10% live in poverty 40% of African American and Hispanic women live in poverty • 90% rely on Social Security benefits © 2009 Allyn & Bacon Profile of Older Americans (cont.) • 50% of those in institutions suffer from Alzheimer’s disease • 4.9 million have Alzheimer’s disease • 80% own their own homes, of these, one third spend 25% of their income on housing • At least one chronic health condition • 27.3% of those living in the community have difficulty with activities of daily living • Families provide 75% of personal care • Ethnicity affects life span expectations © 2009 Allyn & Bacon Social Work with Families of Older Adults • Employ a strengths perspective to redefine roles and expectations • Older adults care for spouses, siblings, and grandchildren • Families require support for the care of both older adults and children simultaneously • Social Workers offer families case management, support groups, stress management, parenting education, respite care, adoption support, advocacy, information, and abuse investigation and monitoring © 2009 Allyn & Bacon Empowering Diverse Older Adults • Minority groups are vulnerable to poverty • Social Workers work within the cultural context of the family within their community • Social Workers use a strengths perspective encouraging prevention approaches • Homosexual men and women are likely to have very different perspectives on growing older • Encourage older adults to engage with advocacy groups like AARP and the Gray Panthers © 2009 Allyn & Bacon Social Policy and Older Adults • 1935: SSA provided for pension insurance • 2006: Pension Protection act requires employers who offer pensions to fully fund them (just over 20% of companies) • Tax-sheltered Annuities offer opportunities to save for retirement, but are subject to stock market risks • 2017: the income from Social Security (SS) taxes will be less than the benefits paid out © 2009 Allyn & Bacon Social Policy and Older Adults (cont.) • 2040: SS taxes will only cover 70% of benefits owed • SS taxes are only paid on annual income up to $90,000 • Housing assistance has been reduced by Block Grants • When a long-term care Medicaid beneficiary dies, states will likely sell the family home to recover costs. 1965 Older Americans Act • • • • • • • • Established the Administration on Aging Information and referral Transportation In-home assistance Legal services Nursing Home Ombudsman programs Nutrition programs Support services for family caregivers © 2009 Allyn & Bacon The Continuum of Care • In-home services allow older adults to remain in their homes • Community Services allow older adults to remain in their familiar community • Assisted living and special housing programs allow older adults some independence with access to skilled medical care when needed • Nursing homes provide the level of care needed to recover from serious injury or illness and provide long-term care when needed © 2009 Allyn & Bacon End-of-Life Issues • Social Workers may discuss spiritual issues with older adults and need to be conscious of their own beliefs and values • Social Workers teach relaxation and meditation to facilitate self-care • Some states have policies and procedures related to self-determination for those who are terminally ill (predicted to die within 6 months) • 43 states offer Hospice services including medical care, counseling for patients and families, and bereavement services © 2009 Allyn & Bacon