Gerontology Aging Studies in Social Work at

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• Gerontology (Aging Studies) in Social Work at
• The University of Iowa

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• Background
• The population of the United States is aging
  rapidly, with 20 of the population expected to
  be 65 years and older by the year 2030. This
  creates a need for more gerontologically-prepared
  social workers who can work with the older
  population and their families. At present, there
  is a severe shortage of social workers who have
  the knowledge and skills required to work with
  older persons, with an estimated 60,000-70,000
  more needed.).

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• The need for all social workers to have basic
  knowledge and skills about aging is particularly
  evident in the state of Iowa, which consistently
  ranks fourth or fifth in percentage of persons
  aged 65 (presently over 15). Iowa ranks second
  in percentage of very old elders (85 and
  centenarians).

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• Social workers practice in a variety of settings
  that serve both well and frail elders. Examples
  include
• senior centers
• non-profit organizations (e.g., Alzheimers
  Association, Area Agencies on Aging, Elder
  Services agencies)
• retirement facilities
• adult education settings such as Elderhostel
• employee assistance programs
• adult day settings
• geriatric assessment clinics
• home health care
• hospitals
• assisted living facilities
• nursing homes
• hospice
• Social workers also work in intergenerational
  service settings such as agencies serving
  children and families.

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• The School of Social Work is committed to
  increasing the number of students who are
  prepared to serve older persons and their
  families. In recent years, the School has been
  involved in many projects funded by the John A.
  Hartford Foundation of New York to increase the
  number of gerontologically-prepared social
  workers. Faculty work closely with the UI
  interdisciplinary Aging Studies Program
  (coordinator, Richard MacNeil, 410 Jefferson
  Building, richard-macneil_at_uiowa.edu), and two of
  our faculty hold appointments in the Aging
  Studies Program as well as in Social Work. Along
  with their Social Work degree, students at all
  three academic levels (BASW, MSW, and Ph.D.) can
  earn a Certificate in Aging Studies (21 s.h.).
  BASW students can also earn a minor in Aging
  Studies (15 s.h.) and MSW students can choose
  aging studies/gerontology as a field of practice.
  Many courses in the School are cross-listed with
  the Aging Studies Program, carrying credit in
  either program. Examples are the following
• 42108 Basic Aspects of Aging
• 42135 Older Adulthood Cultural Comparisons
• 42153 Programs and Services for Aging Adults
• 42185 Social Policy and the Elderly
• 42186 Death and Dying Issues Across the Life
  Span
• 42190 Fieldwork in Gerontology
• 42195 Introduction to Nursing Homes
• 42211 Individual and Family Development Life
  Span
• 42219 Aging and the Family
• 42222 Social Policy Issues in Health Care
• Link to Aging Studies Website
  www.uiowa.edu/agingstp

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Impact of Aging Demographics on Social Workers

• The crisis has started.
• Shortage of social workers interested in pursuing
  practice with older adults
• 60,000 to 70,000 social workers will be needed by
  2010 to work with older adults
• 20-25 of MSW students take a course in aging and
  engage in an aging related field placement
• 27 of MSW programs have a specialization or
  concentration in gerontology

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Additional Impacts

• Dementia care has been identified as the least
  desired form of social work practice with older
  adults
• Fewer students enrolling in aging related courses
• Reasons
• Past negative experiences with older adults
• Fear of future salaries and work opportunities
• Faculty members express dislike towards older
  adults

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• DEMOGRAPHICS

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What is Old?
Ages at Which Americans Think the Average Person
Becomes Old (USA Today)
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• What does being old
• mean to you?

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When we are 80.

• What will you look like when you are 80?
• What will you be doing when you are 80?
• Where will you be living when you are 80?
• Based on family history, will you be a caregiver
  or will you be receiving care?

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Population Number of Persons 65, 1900 2030
(Administration on Aging, 2000)
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Number of Persons by Age Group
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Population of Aged 85 and Over (in millions)
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Percentage of Population Age 65 by State
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Living Arrangements of Persons 65 (1998)
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Percentage of Persons, 70, Chronic Conditions
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• Aging in Iowa

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Aging in Iowa

• Over 15 of population over age 65
• Total number of people in Iowa is 2, 966, 334
• 65 435, 000
• 75 233, 000
• 85 75, 300
• By 2030 there will be over 600,000 Iowans over
  age 65

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Aging in Iowa Now
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Aging in Iowa 2030
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(No Transcript)
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Aging in Rural Communities

• Changes in support systems
• Geographic mobility of families
• Access to social services
• Adjustment issues
• Aging in place
• Losses

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Variables to Consider

• Cohort
• Income
• Social roles
• Gender
• Sexual orientation
• Ethnicity
• Race
• Cultural identification

• Friendship patterns
• Religion, spirituality
• Value system
• Language
• Community
• Work status
• Occupation
• Family composition

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Additional Variables

• Formal education
• Living arrangements
• Health status
• Functional independence
• Generation as American
• Almost 7000 Iowan over 65 are immigrants

• Degree of acculturation
• Personal interests
• Personality
• Dietary practices
• Time (historical time, time in ones life)

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Challenges for social workers

• Poor access
• Transportation is a major problem
• Scarce services
• Low funding
• Social barriers
• Cultural barriers

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Changes in Rural Communities

• It isnt like it used to be in our town!
• Loss of family farms
• Loss of small towns
• Loss of essential businesses in small towns
• Immigration to small towns
• Retirees
• Immigrants

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Things for us to consider

• Are our communities equip to handle this influx
  of older adults?
• How prepared are we as professionals to meet
  their needs? Do we have the skills, knowledge,
  and desire?
• Who will care for the older adults?
• Most older adults live daily with 2 chronic
  health conditions.

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Summary

• Families, not social service agencies,
  nursing homes, or government programs are the
  mainstay underpinning long-term care for the
  elderly. Recognition of the role of the family
  in providing long-term care is moving to the
  forefront of national policy making.
• Example Family Medical Leave Act of 1993
• November is National Family Caregiver Month
• The Family Caregiver Initiative

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Faculty Specializing in Aging

• SARA SANDERS, PH.D, L.S.W.
• ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
• Interests Caregiving for aging individuals,
  alzheimers disease, grief and loss, death and
  dying, social work education
• Teaching Areas Social Work Processes, Human
  Behavior in the Social Environment, Gerontology,
  and Death and Dying
• MERCEDES BERN-KLUG, PH.D, M.S.W, M.A.
• ASSISTANT PROFESSOR IN SOCIAL WORK,
• Joint Appointment with Aging Studies
• Interests Gerontology, demography, nursing home
  social work, end-of-life issues, funeral
  arrangements, creative writing for social
  workers, aging in Mexico
• Teaching areas Introduction To Nursing Homes,
  Cross-Cultural/Comparative Gerontology Basic
  Aspects Of Aging

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• LORRAINE DORFMAN, PH.D.
• PROFESSOR
• Interests Gerontology, focusing on work
  retirement, rural aging, family caregiving,
  gerontology education.
• Teaching Areas Aging, Life Span Development,
  Gerontology Programs Services
• SUSAN MURTY, PH.D.
• ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
• Interests End-of life services, Rural
  regional service delivery, domestic violence,
  social networks, interorganizational networks
• Teaching Areas Integrated Social Work Practice,
  Social Work with Rural Communities, Community
  Practice, Organizational Practice, End-of-Life
  Care, Travel Study to Mexico