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Social Work Practice With Older Adults
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Social Work Practice With Older Adults
An Actively Aging Framework for Practice

First Edition


February 2018 | 416 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

Social Work Practice With Older Adults by Jill Chonody and Barbra Teater presents a contemporary framework based on the World Health Organization’s active aging policy that allows forward-thinking students to focus on client strengths and resources when working with the elderly. The Actively Aging framework takes into account health, social, behavioral, economic, and personal factors as they relate to aging, but also explores environmental issues, which supports the new educational standards put forth by the Council on Social Work Education. Covering micro, mezzo, and macro practice domains, the text examines all aspects of working with aging populations, from assessment through termination. 

 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Authors
 
1 Introduction to Aging
LEARNING OBJECTIVES

 
Introduction

 
What Is “Old” Age?

 
Population Changes

 
Cohort Effects and Impact on Practice

 
Summary

 
Key Words

 
Critical Thinking Questions and Activities

 
 
2 Aging and Ageism: Cultural Influences
LEARNING OBJECTIVES

 
Introduction

 
Ageism

 
Theoretical Explanations for Ageism

 
Ageism and Intersectionality

 
Reducing Ageism

 
Summary

 
Key Words

 
Critical Thinking Questions and Activities

 
 
3 Actively Aging and Social Work Practice
LEARNING OBJECTIVES

 
Introduction

 
The Development of Active Aging

 
Active Aging and Other “Positive” Theories or Frameworks of Aging

 
Theoretical Approaches to Social Work and Social Work Values and Ethical Principles

 
Active Aging From the Perspective of Older Adults

 
Actively Aging: Social Work Assessment and Intervention

 
Summary

 
Key Words

 
Critical Thinking Questions and Activities

 
 
4 Health Determinants
LEARNING OBJECTIVES

 
Introduction

 
Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Efforts

 
Age-Related Disabilities

 
Mental Health and Neurocognitive Disorders

 
Noncommunicable Diseases (NCD)

 
Informal and Formal Supports

 
Micro Practice: Intervention for Individuals and Groups

 
Mezzo Practice: Working With the Community

 
Macro Practice: Policy and Advocacy

 
Summary

 
Key Words

 
Critical Thinking Questions and Activities

 
 
5 Behavioral Determinants
LEARNING OBJECTIVES

 
Introduction

 
Health and Well-Being and the Big Four Behaviors

 
Tobacco Use

 
Alcohol and Substance Use

 
Physical Activity

 
Diet

 
Sleep

 
Sexual Activity

 
Oral Health

 
Medications and Healthcare Screenings

 
Micro Practice: Interventions for Individuals and Groups

 
Mezzo Practice: Working With the Community

 
Macro Practice: Policy and Advocacy

 
Summary

 
Key Words

 
Critical Thinking Questions and Activities

 
 
6 Personal Determinants
LEARNING OBJECTIVES

 
Introduction

 
Biology and Genes

 
Psychological Factors

 
Spirituality/Religion

 
Micro Practice: Interventions for Individuals and Groups

 
Mezzo Practice: Working With the Community

 
Macro Practice: Policy and Advocacy

 
Summary

 
Key Words

 
Critical Thinking Questions and Activities

 
 
7 Social Determinants
LEARNING OBJECTIVES

 
Introduction

 
Social Support

 
Violence, Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation

 
Education and Literacy

 
Micro Practice: Interventions for Individuals and Groups

 
Mezzo Practice: Working With the Community

 
Macro Practice: Policy and Advocacy

 
Summary

 
Key Words

 
Critical Thinking Questions and Activities

 
 
8 Economic Determinants
LEARNING OBJECTIVES

 
Introduction

 
Income

 
Work and Retirement

 
Social Protection

 
Micro Practice: Interventions for Individuals and Groups

 
Mezzo Practice: Working With the Community

 
Macro Practice: Policy and Advocacy

 
Summary

 
Key Words

 
Critical Thinking Questions and Activities

 
 
9 Physical Determinants
LEARNING OBJECTIVES

 
Introduction

 
Safe Housing

 
Environmental Factors

 
Micro Practice: Intervention for Individuals and Groups

 
Mezzo Practice: Working With the Community

 
Macro Practice: Policy and Advocacy

 
Summary

 
Key Words

 
Critical Thinking Question and Activities

 
 
10 Ethics and Ethical Considerations
LEARNING OBJECTIVES

 
Introduction

 
Ethics

 
Autonomy

 
Independence

 
Elder Abuse

 
End-of-Life

 
Summary

 
Key Words

 
Critical Thinking Questions and Activities

 
 
11 Actively Aging and Social Work Practice: Case Studies
Case A: Sylvia

 
Case B: Randall

 
Case C: Roberto

 
Case D: Elizabeth

 
Actively Aging Assessment

 
 
12 The Future of an Actively Aging Society
LEARNING OBJECTIVES

 
Introduction

 
Micro Practice: Intervention for Individuals and Groups

 
Group Work

 
Mezzo Practice: Working With the Community

 
Macro Practice: Policy and Advocacy

 
Summary

 
Key Words

 
Critical Thinking Questions and Activities

 
 
Glossary
 
References
 
Index

Supplements

Instructor Site

https://study.sagepub.com/chonody

 

An Instructor Teaching Site (Password Protected) includes:

 

  • Chapter-by-Chapter resources compiled by the authors
  • Additional source suggestions from the authors

“This text offers a unique approach to building our social work practitioner workforce of the future. It integrates theory with knowledge and skills.” 

Elaine T. Jurkowski
Southern Illinois University Carbondale

“The Chonody and Teater textbook will make a solid contribution to the field of gerontological social work and provide a useful resource for students beyond their coursework.”

Patricia K. Cianciolo
Northern Michigan University

“This book offers the foundational knowledge for social workers practicing with older adults and their families, while also tackling the important social justice topics related to ageism, intersectionality and diversity, and use of theories that attend to the challenges and opportunities that coincide with aging. It is a wonderful resource and offers a great lens for how to promote ‘actively aging’ within social work practice.” 

Leslie K. Hasche
University of Denver

“The common determinants to the health and well-being of older adults are discussed in a clear, jargon-free, cogent manner. The content in this text provides necessary general knowledge of older adult concerns and, perhaps most importantly, the implications critical to social work practice in gerontological and geriatric settings.” 

Scott E. Wilks
Louisiana State University

“Informative, up to date, and the best material I have seen for a gerontology course.” 

Lori M. Paris
University of Louisville

“This book will be of inestimable value to students and scholars, especially in social work.” 

Mejai B. M. Avoseh
University of South Dakota

“This textbook provides information on the complex interaction of psychological, social and cultural factions in addition to current theoretical frameworks used in assessment and treatment.” 

Ronald Dolon
Ball State University

“This text is a thoroughly comprehensive look at the multifaceted issues surrounding aging from micro, mezzo and macro social work practice perspectives. The emphasis is on understanding and promoting active(ly) aging practices and policies.” 

Susan Larimer
Indiana University

“This text is well written, speaks to current issues facing social workers engaging with older adults, and provides a broad perspective from which to view social work with older adults.” 

Brandi Jean Felderhoff
University of Texas at Arlington

“This text is written in an interesting, intriguing manner, with practical suggestions for social work intervention in a variety of situations.” 

G. Victoria Jackson
Loma Linda University

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