May 2004

Aging

Aging Highlights

Lisa Yagoda, ASCW, LICSW
Senior Policy Associate, Aging
lyagoda@nasdc.org

The social work profession has a long history of advocating for — and serving the needs of — older adults and their families. The rapid increase in the number of older adults in this country has led to a heightened interest in social work practice with this population.

Social workers address the important and varied needs of our nation's older population in ways unlike that of any other profession. Because there is great diversity among older adults — and because of their increasing numbers — the settings in which social workers practice and the roles they play will continue to evolve and expand. Social workers in this burgeoning area of practice have become increasingly present in a wider array of settings, including those in the public sector, non-profit, and for-profit organizations. NASW and its leadership are committed to having an impact on professional development, policy, and advocacy efforts in this expanding area of practice.

During the past quarter, NASW staff were involved in a number of activities relevant to advancing the profession's role in many aspects of gerontological social work:

Advocacy and Preserving Social Work Roles in the Workplace

• NASW was recently accepted as the newest member of the Leadership Council of Aging Organizations (LCAO). The Leadership Council of Aging Organizations is a coalition of national nonprofit organizations that are concerned with the well-being of America 's older population and committed to representing their interests in the policy-making arena. The purpose of the LCAO is to foster communication and resource exchange among its member organizations, to serve as a source of information about issues affecting older persons, to initiate joint advocacy strategies, and to provide leadership and vision as America meets the challenges and opportunities presented by an aging society.
• Quality care for nursing home residents includes the delivery of comprehensive psychosocial assessments and interventions. Working with other providers concerned about the quality of care, NASW continues to actively participate in CMS's Monthly Advocates Meeting and CMS' Skilled Nursing Facilities Open Door Forums; the Quality Improvement Organizations' Public Advisory Council; and the Campaign for Quality Care.
• NASW continues our long-standing involvement with the National Coalition on Mental Health and Aging.

Quality Care in Long-Term Care

• NASW is a participating member of the Quality Improvement Organization's Public Advisory Panel. The panel is comprised of organizations from allied and mental health, as well as advocates interested in discussing ways to improve the quality of care in skilled nursing facilities. NASW staff members continue to serve on this panel and have offered technical expertise and resources on content that pertains to the delivery of social services in nursing homes.
• NASW continues its involvement with the National Medicare Education Coordinating Committee—an alliance dedicated to educating consumers and providers about quality low cost heath care for older adults and those with disabilities.

Caregiving

Lisa Yagoda, NASW senior policy associate, aging, presented a workshop titled, “Meeting the Needs of Family Caregivers of Older Adults,” at the NASW Mississippi Chapter Conference. The workshop was part of NASW's continuing partnership with the American Society on Aging's Care-PRO program.

Recent Resources From NASW in Aging and Long-Term Care

Two new Aging Practice Updates are available.

Medication Adherence and Older Adults , (March, 2004) is available at http://www.socialworkers.org/practice/aging/aging0304.pdf

Case Management with Older Adults: A Social Work Perspective, (May 2004) is available at
http://www.socialworkers.org/practice/aging/aging0504.pdf