Gerontology.

Catalog description

This course is designed to integrate the theories and practice skills needed for effective social work with older adults and their families. Understanding the issues of vital aging, developmental processes, fostering an alliance, overcoming stigma, use of self, therapeutic bias and ethical dilemmas with this population will be studied. Specific focus will be given to both the significance of the older person's history as well as understanding behavior within their environmental context. The student will be helped to develop diagnostic and treatment skills with older adults. Similarities and differences in assessments and practice techniques with other age groups will be reviewed and generic principles will be identified. Caregiving, concrete service delivery, case management and interdisciplinary practice as well as individual, family and small group treatment approaches will be addressed. The class format will include didactic material, case examples, films and group discussion. At all times students will be expected to think critically about aging in relation to human behavior and societal factors including those of race, class and gender. Prerequisite: SOCW 501 and SOCW 562 , C or better.