Gerontological Social Work and the Grand Challenges: Focusing on Policy and Practice

The growing number of older adults in the United States poses a significant challenge to families, healthcare systems, mental health services, and many other caregiving groups. Using the Grand Challenges for Social Work initiative as a framework, this text evaluates critical policies and issues pertaining to older adults, identifying both the overall systemic inequalities currently working against older adults as well as specific areas that require updated policies and interventions. It calls for active attention to the implementation of science-based research, policy, and practices to promote health and well-being.

Among the topics addressed:

• Family violence against older adults
• Disaster planning and preparedness
• Building financial capability for aging families
• Health needs of incarcerated older adults
• Closing the gap in healthcare services for older adults
• Social isolation and itseffects on mental health and well-being

A useful gerontology resource for students, social work scholars, and practitioners, Gerontological Social Work and the Grand Challenges advocates for justice and equal opportunity for older adults, and highlights important social issues that must be urgently addressed in the near future.

Sara Sanders, MSW, PhD, is the director and professor of the School of Social Work at the University of Iowa in Iowa City.  She also is the president of AGE-SW and has been actively involved in initiatives through the John A. Hartford Foundation.  Dr. Sanders’s research interests pertain to chronic disease in older adults and end-of-life care.

Stacey R. Kolomer, MSSW, PhD, is director and professor at the School of Social Work at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.  She was a John A. Hartford Geriatric Social Work Faculty Scholar. Dr. Kolomer’s research interests include grandparent caregiving families, burn survivorship, and interprofessional geriatric education.

Cheryl Waites Spellman, MSW, EdD, is a professor at the School of Social Work at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and former dean of the School of Social Work at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. She is a fellow of the Gerontological Society of America, and her research interests include healthy aging, long-distance caregiving, and culturally appropriate and responsive practice.

Victoria M. Rizzo, MSW, PhD, is an associate professor at the School of Social Welfare at the University at Albany, State University of New York. She is also CSWE Annual Gero-Ed Track co-chair, John A. Hartford Geriatric Social Work Faculty Scholar, and Hartford Partnership Program in Aging Education director. Dr. Rizzo’s research examines the impact of interprofessional interventions including social work interventions on older adults coping with chronic illnesses and the implications of healthcare policy and financing on the provision of these services to older adults.