Social Work with Older Adults in Health Care and Residential Settings in the New Millennium

Abstract

Social Work has a long history of working with older adults in health care and residential settings. The responsibilities of social workers in these settings have varied over time, and are often determined by the economic needs of the organizations rather than the psychosocial needs of the recipients of services. Demographics indicate that the population of older adults will increase dramatically over the next several decades. This article provides a brief look at past practices and argues for a stronger advocacy role for social workers to help to insure a better quality of care for the clients of these programs and services.

Key Words:

• Health care and residential settings
• aging
• advocacy and older adults and families
• social work and health care
• social work and long-term care