Social Work Graduates Entering the Field of Gerontology During COVID-19: Exploring Perceived Readiness and Needs

Gerontological social workers (GSW) are on the frontlines supporting the biopsychosocial needs of older adults in hospitals, communities, and long-term care settings. However, it is unclear whether social workers (SW) are trained to meet the emerging needs of older adults during COVID-19. This study describes training received, perceived readiness, and training needs of GSWs new to the field during 2020. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted with recent graduates from U.S. SW programs. Survey questions explored training received and ongoing needs, perceived self-efficacy (adapted from the Geriatric Social Work Competency Scale), demographics, and confidence in ability to work with populations 55+. A total of 15 recent SW graduates specializing in gerontology completed the survey. Fifty-three percent of the sample held MSWs and over half (53.3%) were licensed social workers or registered interns. Nearly all participants (73.3%) reported taking an introductory aging course, and almost half (46.7%) completed coursework in aging and diversity, aging policy, and end-of-life care/bereavement; 80% completed fieldwork in aging. Participants report moderate skill in assessing issues related to losses or transitions (46.7%), and physical functioning (53.3%), and advanced skill in assessing cognitive functioning (60.0%), and caregiver stress/needs (53.3%). Nearly half of respondents who rated their training as good-excellent indicate being very-extremely confident (42.8%) in their ability to practice with older adults. Training needs among participants include disaster preparedness, telehealth, and coordination of scarce resources. Curriculum development and continuing education are necessary to support emerging gerontological social workers in their practice during COVID-19 and other emergencies.

A Scoping Review of Current Telehealth Interventions for Care Partners of Persons With Dementia

Many burdens come with caring for someone with dementia, but telehealth interventions can provide information and support and reduce barriers to access. In this review we describe current telehealth interventions for family care partners of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias (ADRDs). We conducted a systematic literature search using PubMed. Inclusion criteria were peer-reviewed, data-based research articles focusing on technological clinical interventions, published within the past two years, with participants providing unpaid care to persons with a diagnosis of ADRDs. We identified 53 relevant articles, of which 13 met our criteria. Included studies fell into three categories: peer support groups facilitated by gerontological social workers and psychologists, psychoeducation and behavior modification interventions delivered by nursing professionals, and symptom management advising overseen by physicians. Different technologies were used including computers, iPads, smartphones, and smartwatches. The duration of interventions also ranged from four weeks to three months, representing varying approached to participant engagement. The majority of caregivers were women, non-Hispanic white, spouses. Based on our findings of a lack of diversity in the samples of extant studies, and the need for interventions tailored to specific stages of ADRDs, future researchers can design studies to address these gaps. Overall, the interventions’ effectiveness and participant satisfaction were high, resulting in improvements in burden, competence, and coping skills. Although every approach has its own strengths and weaknesses, we believe that the continued expansion of telehealth interventions will not only offer many benefits, but also transform the delivery of health care.

Continuing Education for Gerontological Social Work: Findings From Post-Graduate Advanced Practice Training

The social work profession aims to help all individuals, families, and communities enhance their overall well-being. While gerontological social workers primarily work with seniors, they are often tasked with addressing the needs of not only their senior client, but the client’s network as well. Social workers are also asked to stay current with respect to new legislation, policy, and systemic changes to help their clients. Thus, gerontological social workers often need to obtain advanced practice education in a number of areas, as related to gerontology. Responding to this gap, the National Initiative for the Care of the Elderly (NICE) and Sinai Health offered a series of innovative advanced practice gerontological social work courses - hybrid online and in-class - to those looking to improve their knowledge and competencies in the following five identified 'high impact' areas: (1) Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD); (2) cultural competence and LGBTQI2S; (3) mental health; (4) legal issues and aging; (5) dementia. Participants in the courses completed pre- and post-surveys assessing knowledge, attitudes and competencies with the subject matter, with responses helping to improve understanding of how to provide the most appropriate resources for those who care for older adults and how to better shape future education/training programs. Findings suggest that gerontological social workers may benefit from 'tailored refresher courses' that bridge knowledge and practice gaps, that the optimal update time may be every three years, and that clinicians benefit from being trained by interdisciplinary teams, rather than by someone of the same profession.

Appraising the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual against Recovery philosophies in elderly dementia

This article looks at the history of the Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM) classification system, its role and limitations, while making comparisons and contrasts to Recovery philosophies in relation to elderly dementia from a social work perspective. It was found that the clinician, caregiver and patient can all play a role in Recovery, and while not comparable the DSM complements psychosocial models of Recovery. It was also found that with the diversification and expansion of an increasing ageing population, gerontological social workers will need to modify and adapt practice skills and interventions as changes in evidence-based practices of Recovery and the DSM are disseminated at a faster rate.

Promoting Actively Aging: Advancing a Framework for Social Work Practice with Older Adults

The United States is experiencing a growing aging population, and the profession will need to increase the number of gerontological social workers. However, the social work profession has been relatively quiet in the debate on theories of aging as well as the development of approaches to social work practice with older adults. This article aims to further advance social work practice by critiquing existing aging theories or frameworks against social work values and ethical principles and by presenting the development of actively aging as a framework to guide practice with older adults. Actively aging considers the interplay between individuals' experiences; their meanings of aging; and their social, environmental, political, and cultural structures. The five principles of actively aging are presented, as well as considerations for future research and theory development on aging.