12 Opportunities and future prospects for gerontological social work with a critical lens
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Marjaana Seppänen
Abstract
Although the status and role of gerontological social work varies locally (Pajunen et al, 2009) and by country (see Chapter 5), it has commonly been regarded as a low-status area of practice with poor professional potential (Lymbery, 2005). Arguably, the low status afforded to gerontological social work and the older population it serves has contributed to its limited success in developing its identity and visibility as a distinct speciality. A tendency for social work to focus on meeting ‘care’ and ‘health’ needs in old age means that it has often occupied a more marginal space in its ability to fully respond to the diversity of ageing experience. The variable presence, visibility and purpose of gerontological social work has arguably been reinforced by managerialist approaches in public service and welfare policy. Increased pressure to reduce public sector funding is common in most developed countries (Pentaraki, 2018). The impact of austerity measures over the past decade has increased the strain on public service professionals, including social work. For example, in Greece and Spain, but echoed to varying degrees throughout Europe, the impact of cuts to health and other public sector organisations has exacerbated challenges for social workers coping with the implications of long waiting lists for services, rapid and inappropriate discharge from hospital, social work shortages and increased pressures on older people to cope alone with deteriorating and difficult circumstances or to rely on families, assuming the older person has one (Ioakimidis et al, 2014; Verde-Diego et al, 2018; Deusdad, 2020).
Abstract
Although the status and role of gerontological social work varies locally (Pajunen et al, 2009) and by country (see Chapter 5), it has commonly been regarded as a low-status area of practice with poor professional potential (Lymbery, 2005). Arguably, the low status afforded to gerontological social work and the older population it serves has contributed to its limited success in developing its identity and visibility as a distinct speciality. A tendency for social work to focus on meeting ‘care’ and ‘health’ needs in old age means that it has often occupied a more marginal space in its ability to fully respond to the diversity of ageing experience. The variable presence, visibility and purpose of gerontological social work has arguably been reinforced by managerialist approaches in public service and welfare policy. Increased pressure to reduce public sector funding is common in most developed countries (Pentaraki, 2018). The impact of austerity measures over the past decade has increased the strain on public service professionals, including social work. For example, in Greece and Spain, but echoed to varying degrees throughout Europe, the impact of cuts to health and other public sector organisations has exacerbated challenges for social workers coping with the implications of long waiting lists for services, rapid and inappropriate discharge from hospital, social work shortages and increased pressures on older people to cope alone with deteriorating and difficult circumstances or to rely on families, assuming the older person has one (Ioakimidis et al, 2014; Verde-Diego et al, 2018; Deusdad, 2020).
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents vii
- List of figures and tables viii
- Notes on contributors ix
- Acknowledgements xiii
- Preface xv
- Social work and critical gerontology: why the former needs the latter 1
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Critical gerontology as guiding principles for social work with older people
- The lifecourse and old age 19
- Human rights and older people 35
- Agency and autonomy 51
- Poverty and late-life homelessness 66
- Sexuality and rights in later life 81
- Ethnicity, race and migrancy 97
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Applying the critical gerontological lens to social work research, policy and practice
- Assessment, care planning and decision making 115
- Elder abuse 130
- Dementia: a disability and a human rights concern 146
- User involvement 161
- Opportunities and future prospects for gerontological social work with a critical lens 177
- Index 192
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents vii
- List of figures and tables viii
- Notes on contributors ix
- Acknowledgements xiii
- Preface xv
- Social work and critical gerontology: why the former needs the latter 1
-
Critical gerontology as guiding principles for social work with older people
- The lifecourse and old age 19
- Human rights and older people 35
- Agency and autonomy 51
- Poverty and late-life homelessness 66
- Sexuality and rights in later life 81
- Ethnicity, race and migrancy 97
-
Applying the critical gerontological lens to social work research, policy and practice
- Assessment, care planning and decision making 115
- Elder abuse 130
- Dementia: a disability and a human rights concern 146
- User involvement 161
- Opportunities and future prospects for gerontological social work with a critical lens 177
- Index 192
