How do we get Social Workers to be Passionate about Working with Older Adults?

In the latest episode, we have two Dr. B’s in The Social Work Café!

I thought I was the biggest coffee nut in our discipline, but actually, I think Dr. Belinda Cash may even surpass my obsession.

She is also a great conversationalist (and lover of memes), which is why I wanted to talk with her about social work practise with older adults.

Belinda started her social work career in the disability sector like me, and then spent most of her time in mental health, with a particular focus on working in rural contexts.

Her vast experiences in these areas formed the basis of her eventual transition into academia, where Belinda did her doctoral research on the experiences of informal caregivers in rural areas.

As Belinda dove into her academic journey, again, like me, she noticed that students often baulked at the idea of working with older adults.

Yet these reactions are not aligned with the amazing and dynamic multidisciplinary and multilevel work social workers often undertake in this area.

Belinda explains that the most common misconception she comes across is that social workers equate working with older adults with aged care facilities.

And yet, most of these are privatised and do not employ social workers.

Furthermore, only 5-6% of older adults are in a care facility!

Belinda clarifies that most older adults are accessing supports in the community, and family structures continue to change as our population ages.

In short, no matter where you work, you are likely to come across older adults, even in child protection!

Belinda speaks beautifully about the kinds of roles that social workers can undertake with older adults, including direct practise work in case management as well as broader advocacy and policy work (which is sorely needed in Australia).

It’s also important to note that attitudes towards ageing in our broader society are slowly changing to become more positive and strengths-focused, and passionate social workers can be part of that change as well.

#BringItOn

I think what captured me the most during our conversation was how Belinda described her network and colleagues in the ageing space.

Many did not plan to work with older adults, but once they did, there was no turning back!

If you are just a little bit curious about working with older adults, get involved with the Australian Association of Gerontology, as they are a very fun bunch, especially when Belinda shows up at their conferences!

You may find yourself in a dance circle very quickly.

We end our conversation with a systemic definition of social work that captures Belinda’s career:

Social work is the only profession that really considers people entirely within their context, both the impact of systems on them and the way they impact all the people and systems around them.  

Yes, I agree with Belinda that it is long, but I love the detail that is captured here, not only in terms of how systems can impact people but also the way in which people can impact systems!

I also love how Belinda begins this definition with the words “only profession,” as it becomes a point of distinction from other professions.

What do you think of this definition?

I’m incredibly grateful to Belinda for sharing her love for working with older adults.

She is correct about how awesome older people are (my mum is the cheekiest one) and that we all have an invested interest in ensuring that our systems truly value them.

Stay passionate social work!

Dr. B