social work lesson 7-12 notes

• Gerontology


  The study of aging and the problems of old age
• Older adults undergo major changes as they continue to age
• Four primary categories of changes throughout aging for social workers to be aware of

  • Biological and physiological
  • Cognitive processes and emotional development
  • Sociological
  • Legal and political
• Biological and physiological changes

  Changes that happen to the body as older adults continue to age
• Over 87% of older adults take a prescription daily
• Cognitive processes and emotional development changes

  Changes in memory and intelligence, creating opportunities for success and mastery can have profound impacts on their ongoing emotional and psychological development
• Sociological changes


  Older adults may obtain new roles with grandparenthood or retirement, they may also experience changes in their current roles as they age, such as changes in their marriage and sexual behavior
• Legal and political changes

  Older adults' financial needs change, they are often dependent on benefits like Social Security, pensions, and Medicare to cover their costs of living, they need to plan for the end of their life and may express their wishes through advanced directives
• Social workers are often the people to help older adults apply for benefits or complete advanced directives
• Social workers should be up to date on relevant laws and available services
• Advanced directives


  Legal documents that make clear who will make decisions and what those decisions are surrounding medical care and finances
• Three groups older adults are often categorized into

  • Young-old (ages 65–74 years)
  • Old-old (ages 75–84 years)
  • Oldest-old (ages 85 years and over)
• In 2015, there were 47.8 million people over the age of 65, and this number is only expected to increase
• Factors contributing to the increase in older adult population

  • Fewer children being born
  • The baby-boomer generation continuing to age
  • People continuing to live longer
• With the aging population becoming one of the largest in history, more social workers are needed to work with older adults
• Most jobs require a Master's in Social Work and a Gerontological Certificate or experience, some jobs can be done with a BSW, such as working in senior centers or skilled nursing facilities
• The older adult population will become more diverse
• Diversity in the older adult population

  Strengths and resources from age and culture, Latino and African American families often serve as informal support, older adults are seen as honored people in non-white cultures, they may have an important role in carrying stories and oral traditions
• Challenges for LGBTQ older adults


  Struggling with partners being accepted to make health care decisions, being open in settings like assisted living facilities, often surrounded by persons who are not LGBTQ friendly
• The Social Security Act of 1935 created the Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) program, better known as Social Security
• Social Security


  All working people in the United States pay taxes into the system during their working years, and then citizens receive monthly benefits when they retire or in the event of a long term disability
• The average Social Security benefit was about $1,341 per month in 2016
• Many low-wage workers only receive Social Security benefits that keep them in poverty, Social Security wasn't intended to be a primary source of income but to supplement pensions and savings
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is cash assistance to persons who are at the intersection of poverty and old age or disability
• Medicare


  A health insurance program for people over the age of 65 that covers basic health services, including hospital insurance (Part A), medical insurance (Part B), Medicare Advantage (Part C), and prescription drug coverage (Part D)
• Medicaid


  A jointly funded (federal and state), needs-based health insurance program for individuals and families whose incomes and assets fall beneath a set amount, it covers all services under it that are considered medically necessary
• Arizona's Long Term Care System (ALTCS)


  A long term disability health and well-being benefit provided to older adults and persons with disabilities who cannot care for themselves and who cannot afford to pay for the needed services to keep them healthy and safe
• Social workers are mandated reporters for vulnerable adults in Arizona
• Vulnerable adult


  An individual who is eighteen years of age or older and who is unable to protect himself from abuse, neglect or exploitation by others because of a physical or mental impairment
• If a report is filed and accepted for investigation, it will be done so through Arizona Adult Protective Services (APS)
• Mental health and depression in older adults

  The suicide rate is higher amongst older adults, and the rate of depression is higher than the general population, many persons refuse treatment due to underdiagnosing, stigma, fear of institutionalization, and physical and social factors as people age
• Depression is not a normal part of aging
• Dementia and Alzheimer's disease

  Dementia is a loss of intellectual and social abilities that is severe enough to interfere with daily functioning, Alzheimer's is the most common type of dementia, accounting for 60-80% of cases
• Activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs)


  Used by social workers to assess what kind of help older adults or persons with disabilities may need
• Housing and caregiving are not benefits of medical plans like Medicare and Medicaid, making it challenging for social workers to attempt to meet all the needs of older people, especially those with dementia
• Medical model


  The most common approach by doctors and providers, focuses on locating and solving the sickness or complaint, ignores mental health and the patient's environment and strengths
• Wellness model


  Places the authority and responsibility for healing and well-being on the patient, mirrors social work's biopsychosocial model and seeks to promote a healthy lifestyle in the areas of physical, social, mental, and environmental well-being, emphasizes prevention and helping people reach their full potential
• Medicare was added to the Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance program (OASDI) in 1965
• The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) was adopted in 1993, requiring public agencies and private employers with 50 or more employees to grant family leave and temporary medical leave
• The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was designed to lower health care costs over time by providing insurance for millions of more people, making preventive care free, and changing how hospitals treat patients