Social Work with Older Adults / Edition 4

by Kathleen McInnis-Dittrich

Overview

Presents a strengths-based approach of social work with older adults.

The fourth edition of Social Work with Older Adults provides a comprehensive treatment of a strengths-based approach to the major areas of social work with older adults. The text examines the basics of biopsychosocial functioning and the design of interventions to treat a wide variety of challenges facing older adults. This updated edition includes content on abuse and neglect of older adults, drug and alcohol abuse and the social worker’s role in dying, bereavement, and advance directives.

Learning Goals

Upon completing this book, readers will be able to:

• Discuss how to engage in differential assessment.
• Understand the design of intervention to treat a wide variety of challenges facing older adults.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780205096725
Publisher:	Pearson
Publication date:	01/11/2013
Edition description:	Older Edition
Pages:	408
Product dimensions:	7.20(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Kathleen McInnis-Dittrich is an Associate Professor at the Boston College Graduate School of Social Work and Chair of the Older Adults and Families Concentration. She received her B.A. from Marquette University, her MSW from Tulane University and her Ph.D from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has extensive practice experience with older adults in community, residential and health care settings. She taught for 15 years at Marquette University and has been on the faculty at Boston College since 1994. Dr. McInnis-Dittrich’s writing and research is focused on clinical and macro practice with older adults. Her writing has appeared in Families in Society, Aging and Mental Health, The Clinical Supervisor, Social Development Issues, Migration Today, Journal of Women and Aging, Educational Gerontology, Race, Gender and Class, and Journal of Teaching in Social Work. She is the author of three books: Social Work with Older Adults: A Biopsychosocial Approach to Assessment and Intervention, Integrating Social Welfare Policy and Social Work Practice and The Hmong in America: Providing Ethnic-Sensitive Health, Education, and Human Services. She has also contributed to the Handbook of Social Work and Aging, Social Work Practice with Asian Americans, and Collaborative Practice.

Table of Contents

In this Section:
1. Brief Table of Contents

2. Full Table of Contents

BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Chapter 1: The Context of Social Work Practice with Older Adults

Chapter 2: Biological Changes and the Physical Well-Being of Older Adults

Chapter 3: Psychosocial Adjustments to Aging

Chapter 4: Conducting a Biopsychosocial Assessment
Chapter 5: Differential Assessment and Diagnosis of Cognitive and Emotional Problems of Older Adults

Chapter 6: Interventions for Depression, Anxiety and Dementia in Older Adults

Chapter 7: Alternative Interventions in the Socioemotional Problems of Older Adults

Chapter 8: Substance Abuse and Suicide Prevention in Older Adults

Chapter 9: Social Work Practice in Identifying and Preventing Abuse and Neglect of Older Adults
Chapter 10: Spirituality and Social Work with Older Adults
Chapter 11: End-of-Life Care for Older Adults
Chapter 12: Working with Older Adults’ Support Systems: Spouses, Partners, Families, and Caregivers

FULL TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Chapter 1: The Context of Social Work Practice with Older Adults
Aging in the Twenty-First Century
The Demography of Aging
Settings for Gerontological Social Work
Developing Areas for Direct Practice
Macro Settings for Gerontological Social Workers
Personal and Professional Issues in Work with Older Adults

Chapter 2: Biological Changes and the Physical Well-Being of Older Adults
What do Biological Changes Mean for Older Adults?
Why Does the Body Age?
Biological Changes That Accompany Aging
Incontinence
HIV/AIDS and Older Adults
What Factors Promote Healthy Aging?

Chapter 3: Psychosocial Adjustments to Aging
Psychological Changes That Accompany Aging
Social Theories of Aging
“Successful” Psychosocial Aging
Implications of Psychosocial Changes for Social Work Practice with Older Adults

Chapter 4: Conducting a Biopsychosocial Assessment
Assessments Look at Strengths and Challenges
The Purpose of a Biopsychosocial Assessment?
Special Considerations in Assessing Older Adults
Conditions for Conducting an Assessment
Components of a Comprehensive Assessment
Using Collaterals to Gather Additional Information
Example of a Comprehensive Assessment

Chapter 5: Differential Assessment and Diagnosis of Cognitive and Emotional Problems of Older Adults
Differential Assessment and Diagnosis
Depression in Older Adults
Dementia
Delirium
Differentiating between Depression, Dementia, and Delirium
Anxiety Disorders
Differential Diagnosis of Anxiety
Compulsive Hoarding

Chapter 6: Interventions for Depression, Anxiety and Dementia in Older Adults
The Intervention Process
Obstacles to Intervention and Treatment with Older Adults
Developing a Relationship with an Older Adult
Interventions for Depression and Anxiety
Life Review
Specialized Groups for Older Adults
Behavioral Management Interventions for Dementia
Validation Therapy
Simulate Presence Therapy
When Can Life Review Be Beneficial?
Medical Interventions for Depression and Anxiety
Group Approaches to Treat Depression and Anxiety
Medications Used to Treat Dementia

Chapter 7: Alternative Interventions in the Socioemotional Problems of Older Adults
Complementary and Alternative Interventions
The Benefits of Creative Arts for Older Adults
The Therapeutic Use of Music
Art as a Therapeutic Activity
Massage Therapy
Recreation as Therapy
Animal-Assisted Therapy

Chapter 8: Substance Abuse and Suicide Prevention in Older Adults
Alcohol Use and Abuse by Older Adults
Drug Misuse and Dependency
Suicide among Older Adults

Chapter 9: Social Work Practice in Identifying and Preventing Abuse and Neglect of Older Adults
Growing Concern about Abuse and Neglect of Older Adults
The Incidence of Abuse and Neglect of Older Adults
What is Considered Abuse or Neglect of Older Adults?
Risk Factors Associated with Abuse or Neglect of Older Adults
Understanding the Causes of Maltreatment of Older Adults
Assessment of Abuse, Neglect, and Self-Neglect of Older Adults
Designing Interventions to Prevent Abuse or Neglect
Abuse and Neglect in Nursing Homes
When an Older Adult Refuses Protective Services

Chapter 10: Spirituality and Social Work with Older Adults
Spirituality and Religion as Strengths for Older Adults
The Profession’s Journey to a Renewed Interest in Spirituality
The Relevance of Spirituality to Social Work with Older Adults 264
Spirituality in the Lives of Women and Older Adults of Color
A Few Words of Caution
Incorporating Spirituality into Social Work Practice with Older Adults

Chapter 11: End-of-Life Care for Older Adults
End-of-Life Care as Part of Gerontological Social Work
The Process of Dying
The Role of the Social Worker in the Dying Process
Advance Directives
Palliative and Hospice Care
Bereavement and Grief
Social Work Interventions with Bereaved Older Adults
Ethical Considerations in End-of-Life Care

Chapter 12: Working with Older Adults’ Support Systems: Spouses, Partners, Families, and Caregivers
Older Adults’ Support Systems
Older Adults who are Childless
Spouses and Partners
Therapeutic Interventions with Older Couples
The Family Meeting
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
Caregivers as Support Systems for Older Adults
The Stresses of Caregiving
Social Work Interventions with Caregivers

Chapter 13: “Aging in Place”: Income Programs, Health Insurance, and Support Services for Older Adults
“Aging in Place”
Economic Security Programs for Older Adults
Health Insurance Programs for Older Adults
Support Services to Older Adults
Support Programs Authorized by the Older Americans Act of 1965
Choices for Independence
Finding Services for Older Adults: The Eldercare Locator
Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (Reverse Mortgages)
Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs)
What Challenges Lie Ahead?