First published in 1977, Residential Work with the Elderly brings together theoretical and practical approaches of relevance to providing care for older people in residential homes and long-stay geriatric hospitals. He describes the kinds of use to which institutional care is commonly put, the effects of institutional living o individual residents and the ageing process. He also examines ways of using such care to the benefit of both individuals and the resident group, so that new, improved ways may be found of helping older people in care. Intended principally for residential workers in homes for the elderly, the book is also designed for nurses and other workers involved in long-term hospital care for older people. It will also be of value to those involved in day-care and special housing provision for the elderly.

First published in 1975, Social Work, Ageing and Society provides a basic understanding of the needs of older people in society. It deals with the role of the old person in society and attitudes to old age, as well as the physical, emotional and social needs of the ageing individual. It shows that material resources and social work skills can make a great deal of difference to the quality of life and health of elderly citizens, and is concerned therefore not only with the process of ageing but also with the validity of techniques of social intervention against a background of limited practical resources for the elderly. This book will be of interest to social work students and to members of other caring professions.

First published in 1982, Risk and Social Work provides a useful framework for analysing risk in the social welfare context. Surprisingly, social work and other helping professions have hitherto given little attention to the use and meaning of 'risk', although the term is frequently employed, with clients and helpers being described as 'at risk', or 'in danger'. The media have taken up these terms, noticeably in cases involving child abuse, the elderly and conditions in psychiatric institutions, often at the expense of our image of the social services. Paul Brearley's discussion of the analysis and management of risk in social work will therefore be of value to people working in the helping professions. Mr. Brearley begins by establishing a series of definitions, drawing primarily from the commercial insurance field, and from the literature on scientific and workplace hazards. These definitions form the base for a framework of risk analysis which stresses the importance of values and the chance element in decision making about risk. He shows how this framework can be used in practice in emergency and risky situations, and looks at the management of hazards and uncertainty with particular reference to social work practice.

First published in 1990, Working in Residential Homes for Elderly People outlines the purposes and objectives of residential homes and what it is like to live and work in them. The author looks at the factors that make for a good quality of life, considering how these can be promoted and how staff can work with people, both individually and in groups, to help them get the best out of life. He reviews prevalent thinking about what happens to people as they grow older, and, at a practical level, he looks carefully at the day-to-day management of homes, suggesting how they should be organized in order to get the best out of the staff, buildings and resources. Unique in its coverage of the process of ageing, good practice, and good management, the book takes into account the differing needs of both residents and staff. With its emphasis on the various aspects of the flexible, individual support necessary in providing 'a good home', it will be invaluable to social work and social care students, residential workers, and their managers.

First published in 1982, Risk and Ageing is an exploration of practical issues involved in helping older people who are exposed to substantial risks. Paul Brearley argues that if we are to make appropriate provision for older people it is essential that policy and practice should be informed by the growing body of theory and research as well as by the pragmatic, day-to-day experience of practitioners. The book therefore brings these perspectives together in relation to the general theme of risk analysis and management. The book includes special chapters on mental disorder and on healthcare, and will be of value to workers in the health and social services, in addition to a social work audience.