• About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Download App
  • Virtual Summit
  • Benefit Hub for Subscribers Only
SWHELPER | Social Work | Social Justice | Social Good
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Register
  • Home
  • News
  • Culture
  • Mental Health
  • Politics
  • Tech
  • Disability
  • Webinars
  • Podcast
Find/Post Jobs
  • Home
  • News
  • Culture
  • Mental Health
  • Politics
  • Tech
  • Disability
  • Webinars
  • Podcast
No Result
View All Result
SWHELPER | Social Work | Social Justice | Social Good
No Result
View All Result
Home Aging Elder Care

Positive Ageing: The Role of Social Work from Cradle to Grave

Vida DouglasbyVida Douglas
April 7, 2019
in Elder Care, Global
0
ADVERTISEMENT
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedinShare on PinterestShare via EmailShare on Reddit

by Vida Douglas

AgeingAgeing is a global issue which impacts all societies and consistently presents us with many challenges and opportunities to protect our communities from cradle to grave. A key question facing politicians and practitioners of social work is what will be the experiences and quality of ageing for our elderly in the future? In 2012, the United Nations published a report, entitled, ‘An Ageing World Demands Wiser Policies.’ which recommended that we needed to do more to prepare for the impact of a rapidly ageing population. In an attempt not to sound too pessimistic, it is important that we recognise that there has been an increase in the ageing population largely due to improved health and social care services, shaping the quality of living for the elderly particularly in western/high income countries. We certainly have no reason to be complacent, as the evidence suggests; whilst older people are living longer invariably too many spend the later stage of their life in poor health, poverty, and social isolation.

What is the extent of the ageing population? Projections for the UK suggest that the population for those aged 65 years and over is likely to increase by 23% from 10.3 million in 2010 to 12.7 in 2018. The picture is similar elsewhere, in America this year Alan Krueger, chairman of the White House Council of economic advisers, commented that the ageing workforce was a key influence on the low labour participation rate experienced in the US. Current statistics on the ageing population in America, suggests that the population aged >65 years is anticipated to increase from 12.4% in 2000 to 19.6% in 2030.

The growing debates about the impact of our ageing population, in terms of the potential burden to health and social care provisions has been a central focus for many nations. However, in reality the majority of care for the elderly takes place through informal care provided by the family and not the state. Furthermore, with increasing Governments preoccupation with welfare provisions and benefits it is important not to lose sight of the fact that the issue of an ageing population is so much more than just about pensions. In the end, we are talking about a significant number of people that have contributed, shaped and continue to live in our communities.

The challenge facing social work professionals is to ensure that the strategies we employ when working with our elderly promotes positive ageing. The key elements of a positive ageing strategy is to  recognise the individual rights and choices of the elderly, but this needs to be measured against their capacity, the information available to them and the quality of support services ( formal or informal) that they are able to access. To further improve the support provided to our elderly we need to have access to evidence-based research and knowledge, about the narratives and experiences of the diverse elderly population, this can truly inform our understanding about the nature of living and dying in our society today. Improved health and social care support services require a shift in terms of cultural and organisational structures which encourage creativity and are reactive to the changing needs of our growing elderly population. These represent, the essential features of a positive ageing strategy that can help to ensure elderly people experience positive ageing in the 21st century and beyond.  The 1 October 2013 represent a global celebration of all older people, the UN has pronounced this will be the International Day of Older Person. Let us take up the challenge, and play an active role in planning a special activity or initiative that will contribute to positive ageing in our society.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

Restoration of Hope: Formation of CRISP the Social Work Policy Think Tank

Next Post

Family and Maternity Leave Around the World: How Does the USA Measure Up?

Vida Douglas

Vida Douglas

Vida Douglas is the Regular Contributor for Social Work Helper. She is currently an External Examiner at University of Central Lancashire in the United Kingdom for the social work undergraduate degree. Vida is also the Discipline Lead for Social Work and Social Policy at the Higher Education Academy.

Related Posts

Improving Older Adults’ Mental and Emotional Well-Being with Home Health Care
Elder Care

Improving Older Adults’ Mental and Emotional Well-Being with Home Health Care

September 16, 2022
Trigger Warning: A Chinese Father Saved More Than 300 People at Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge
Global

Trigger Warning: A Chinese Father Saved More Than 300 People at Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge

October 8, 2021
A 10-Year-Old Girl in Kenya Learns Coding in Milwaukee–Virtually.
Global

A 10-Year-Old Girl in Kenya Learns Coding in Milwaukee–Virtually.

September 20, 2021
Easy Strategies and Accommodations for Behavioral and Mental Health Needs in Learning Enviorments
Education

Easy Strategies and Accommodations for Behavioral and Mental Health Needs in Learning Enviorments

January 7, 2021
Pain or Pleasure: What do You Feel When You Go to Work
Employment

Pain or Pleasure: What do You Feel When You Go to Work

January 4, 2021
From Homelessness to Giving Back – A Student’s Journey
Global

From Homelessness to Giving Back – A Student’s Journey

January 4, 2021
Next Post
Family and Maternity Leave Around the World: How Does the USA Measure Up?

Family and Maternity Leave Around the World: How Does the USA Measure Up?

North Carolina Partners in Policy Making Offers Free Leadership Training

North Carolina Partners in Policy Making Offers Free Leadership Training

Leave Comment
ADVERTISEMENT
What Can Be Done To Solve The Foster Care Crisis?

Ending the Therapeutic Relationship: Creative Termination Activities

June 24, 2022
What Feelings Are In Your Heart: An Art Therapy Exercise for Kids

What Feelings Are In Your Heart: An Art Therapy Exercise for Kids

June 19, 2022
Want to Work With Children: 5 Skills and Qualities You Should Be Working On

Want to Work With Children: 5 Skills and Qualities You Should Be Working On

April 7, 2019

Connect With Us

Twitter
FlipboardInstagram
ADVERTISEMENT
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Instagram TikTok
SWHELPER | Social Work | Social Justice | Social Good

  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Buy Merch
  • Download App
  • Terms of Service
https://youtu.be/jWzjyPoSjtw

© 2022 Social Work Helper, PBC

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
    • News
    • Culture
    • Technology
    • Politics
    • Criminal Justice
    • Social Work
    • Education
    • LGBTQ
    • Technology
    • Disability
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Webinars
  • Virtual Summit
  • Career Center
  • Download App
  • Subscriber Benefit Hub
  • Subscribe
  • Login
  • Sign Up
  • Cart

© 2022 Social Work Helper, PBC

Welcome Back!

Sign In with Facebook
Sign In with Google
Sign In with Linked In
OR

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Sign Up with Facebook
Sign Up with Google
Sign Up with Linked In
OR

Fill the forms below to register

*By registering into our website, you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
Go to mobile version