Older people and their families

Rethinking the social work task

Bibliographic Data

ID11957762
AuthorsRichard Hugman (0000-0001-9988-6849, a Social Work , Curtin University of Technology, corresponding author)
Year2000
Volume53
Issue1
Pages3-8
Publication date2000-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAustralian Social Work (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0312-407X • E-ISSN: 1447-0748
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/03124070008415550
OpenAlexW2072364216
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited14

The place of aged care in social work has long been ambiguous, if not marginal. Social work (as do other comparable professions) often displays a reluctance to place practice in this field within the core of the profession that embodies aspects of ageism in contemporary society. Working with older people is frequently characterised as ‘mundane’, ‘routine’ and even ‘not “real” social work’. This paper examines the practice implications of the current policy context. Forms of ‘indirect’ practice are identified as central to social work in aged care, and the implications of this for the standing of aged care social work in the wider profession are discussed. It is argued that ‘indirect’ practices are core to the development of the profession and so should be seen as ‘real’ social work. In conclusion, it is suggested that unless social work affirms practice with older people and their families we will fail to be congruent with our own values

Context (archaeology · Field (mathematics · Management · Political science · Public relations · Social care · Social environment · Social science · Sociology · Task (project management · Work (physics · Geriatric Care and Nursing Homes · Healthcare innovation and challenges · Law · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology · Social Psychology · Social Work Education and Practice · Social Work