Older People, Ageing and Social Work
'Essential reading for practitioners, educators and researchers within the general field of social work with older people.' - From the foreword by Mark Lymbery, Associate Professor of Social Work, University of Nottingham
The reality of our ageing population means all social workers need to be confident in working with older people. Social workers are engaged in ongoing practice with older people in a variety of contexts, from hospitals, aged care assessment teams and mental health services to employment services, housing services and rehabilitation services.
Older People, Ageing and Social Work draws on theoretical, research, policy and practice knowledge to inform contemporary practice with older people. Hughes and Heycox demonstrate that high level professional skills are required in this area as well as detailed knowledge of the issues affecting older people's lives. They argue that practitioners need to take into account the social and emotional needs of the older people they work with, as well as the practical and administrative aspects of their roles. They emphasise understanding the diversity of the older population and enabling older people to make the most of their strengths and capacities.
Mark Hughes is Senior Lecturer in the School of Social Work and Human Services at the University of Queensland. He has worked as a social worker in health, mental health and aged care settings.
Karen Heycox is Senior Lecturer in Social Work and Chair of Field Education, School of Social Sciences and International Studies at the University of New South Wales. She has worked with older people, as well as other client groups, in the hospital and community health sectors.