NASW Launches “Understanding Aging: The Social Worker’s Role”

Course provides vital information about aging to social workers, health care providers

Washington – “Understanding Aging: The Social Worker’s Role” is a collaborative project of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM), funded by the Hartford Foundation. 

The free two-hour course, available December 15, will assist social workers to understand the basics of aging and experiences relevant to older adults. 

NYAM and the Council for Social Work Education’s Strengthening Aging and Gerontological Education for Social Work Project developed the Geriatric Social Work Competencies that serve as the foundation for the course, which integrates these competencies into social work practice.

“With the baby boomers getting older, aging practice is a growing and important field for social workers,” says Elizabeth J. Clark, PhD, ACSW, MPH.  “The aging population will affect all areas of practice for social workers from hospitals to private practice.”

The course highlights the essential information that social workers and other health professionals need to know about aging.  The first lesson covers the basics of aging, with applications from direct and systems-based practices.  The next lesson focuses on the values, ethics and theoretical perspectives necessary for practicing across the aging continuum.  The third lesson will broaden the understanding of the diversity of roles in working with older adults.  The final lesson provides a list of resources for social workers and their clients to find information addressing various needs along the aging continuum.

“Older adults can develop chronic illnesses and depression, in addition to economic problems and increased reliance on caregivers” says Dr. Clark.  “Social workers need to be equipped to deal with the psychosocial needs particular to this population.”

“Understanding Aging: The Social Worker’s Role” is the third in a series of free continuing education courses offered by NASW.  More than 24,000 social workers from 90 countries have taken the “Understanding End of Life Care” and “Understanding Cancer” courses.

For more information about “Understanding Aging: The Social Worker’s Role,” please visit www.socialworkers.org.  Additional information on aging is available through the New York Academy of Medicine Social Work Leadership Institute at www.nyam.org/initiatives/gswppp.shtml.

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), in Washington, DC, is the largest membership organization of professional social workers with 150,000 members. It promotes, develops, and protects the practice of social work and social workers. NASW also seeks to enhance the well being of individuals, families, and communities through its advocacy.