Learn the skills you need to work with geriatric populations in rural areas! Gerontological Social Work in Rural Towns and Communities provides a range of intervention and community skills aimed precisely at the needs of rural elders. This book fills a gap in the literature by focusing on the specific practice concerns for social workers assisting older adults in rural areas, including the aging experience, social worker skills, professional functions, working with special populations, and health and long-term care concerns. This valuable resource will benefit social workers, gerontologists, allied health professionals in rural areas, health and human services administrators and managers. Gerontological Social Work in Rural Towns and Communities explores the challenges social workers need to overcome when working with the elder community in rural areas. This book's significance to social workers will only increase as more adults choose to live and grow old away from the cities. Experts in the field suggest strategies to overcome barriers in planning and providing services such as: a longer distance for the elderly to travel to use social service centers a narrower range of available services in the local area increased poverty levels for the elderly a stronger dependency by elderly on family rather than public assistance This book is divided into five sections: Rurality and Agingintroduces the concept of rurality and examines the demographics of aging from a rural perspective Practice Dimensions of Social Work with Rural Eldersincludes clinical practice models, intervention and advocacy techniques, program planning, and marketing approaches Special Populationsgives attention to four special population groups: indigenous elders, African-American older adults, elderly Latinos, and disabled elders Special Issues Pertaining to Rural Elderscovers five essential issues for rural gerontological social workers: health promotion, older workers and retirement preparation, aging in place, specialized housing, and ethical practice Training and Policy Recommendationsfuture training and education recommendations for social workers are explored, as well as service capacity building, the aging network, and the future of long-term care While a variety of theoretical perspectives are explored in Gerontological Social Work in Rural Towns and Communities, the book's empowerment orientation and strengths-based approach will enhance your abilities to improve quality of life for elderly individuals in rural communities. Each chapter contains a comprehensive review of the literature on the subject it addresses, and several chapters include tables and graphs to further establish their revealing empirical findings. An appendix provides additional sources to turn to for more information.

This anthology responds to the recurring call for quality in home care service provision. It presents to agency administrators, managers, supervisors, and front line service providers a set of the most up-to-date policy, program, and practice developments in the field. Each contributor to New Developments in Home Care Services for the Elderly explores issues of client/staff diversity and the challenges associated with working with clients grappling with disabling conditions.Contributors in New Developments in Home Care Services for the Elderly explore issues of client/staff diversity and the challenges associated with working with clients grappling with various disabling conditions. Topics addressed include: alternative organizational models in home care the importation of high technology services into the home legal and ethical issues in home health care counseling homebound clients and their families clinical assessment tools and packages case management and the home care client home care entitlements and benefits evaluating and monitoring the effectiveness of in-home care marketing home health care services home care service experiences in other countriesNew Developments in Home Care Services for the elderly covers a continuum of care ranging from housekeeping services to self-care education, teaching, and training services to nursing and medically related services. Consequently, the information contained within this volume is of immediate relevance to a multidisciplinary audience having both direct (field) and indirect (office) service responsibilities in the home care organization. Social workers, nurses, business administrators, and public health professionals will find this an invaluable guide for providing effective home care services.

This anthology responds to the recurring call for quality in home care service provision. It presents to agency administrators, managers, supervisors, and front line service providers a set of the most up-to-date policy, program, and practice developments in the field. Each contributor to New Developments in Home Care Services for the Elderly explores issues of client/staff diversity and the challenges associated with working with clients grappling with disabling conditions.Contributors in New Developments in Home Care Services for the Elderly explore issues of client/staff diversity and the challenges associated with working with clients grappling with various disabling conditions. Topics addressed include: alternative organizational models in home care the importation of high technology services into the home legal and ethical issues in home health care counseling homebound clients and their families clinical assessment tools and packages case management and the home care client home care entitlements and benefits evaluating and monitoring the effectiveness of in-home care marketing home health care services home care service experiences in other countriesNew Developments in Home Care Services for the elderly covers a continuum of care ranging from housekeeping services to self-care education, teaching, and training services to nursing and medically related services. Consequently, the information contained within this volume is of immediate relevance to a multidisciplinary audience having both direct (field) and indirect (office) service responsibilities in the home care organization. Social workers, nurses, business administrators, and public health professionals will find this an invaluable guide for providing effective home care services.

Learn the skills you need to work with geriatric populations in rural areas! Gerontological Social Work in Rural Towns and Communities provides a range of intervention and community skills aimed precisely at the needs of rural elders. This book fills a gap in the literature by focusing on the specific practice concerns for social workers assisting older adults in rural areas, including the aging experience, social worker skills, professional functions, working with special populations, and health and long-term care concerns. This valuable resource will benefit social workers, gerontologists, allied health professionals in rural areas, health and human services administrators and managers. Gerontological Social Work in Rural Towns and Communities explores the challenges social workers need to overcome when working with the elder community in rural areas. This book's significance to social workers will only increase as more adults choose to live and grow old away from the cities. Experts in the field suggest strategies to overcome barriers in planning and providing services such as: a longer distance for the elderly to travel to use social service centers a narrower range of available services in the local area increased poverty levels for the elderly a stronger dependency by elderly on family rather than public assistance This book is divided into five sections: Rurality and Agingintroduces the concept of rurality and examines the demographics of aging from a rural perspective Practice Dimensions of Social Work with Rural Eldersincludes clinical practice models, intervention and advocacy techniques, program planning, and marketing approaches Special Populationsgives attention to four special population groups: indigenous elders, African-American older adults, elderly Latinos, and disabled elders Special Issues Pertaining to Rural Elderscovers five essential issues for rural gerontological social workers: health promotion, older workers and retirement preparation, aging in place, specialized housing, and ethical practice Training and Policy Recommendationsfuture training and education recommendations for social workers are explored, as well as service capacity building, the aging network, and the future of long-term care While a variety of theoretical perspectives are explored in Gerontological Social Work in Rural Towns and Communities, the book's empowerment orientation and strengths-based approach will enhance your abilities to improve quality of life for elderly individuals in rural communities. Each chapter contains a comprehensive review of the literature on the subject it addresses, and several chapters include tables and graphs to further establish their revealing empirical findings. An appendix provides additional sources to turn to for more information.

First published in 1997. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Critical strategies for confronting a dire, yet under-addressed societal epidemic-the risky and potentially deadly consequences for older adults living a socially isolated life, are the focus for this book. By documenting our current understanding of the complex and multi-dimensional nature of social isolation among elders, the authors highlight innovative and alternative forms of community and later-life relationships that can serve to forestall or prevent social isolation and loneliness. With contributions from recognized scholars, clinicians, and elder-policy activists, as well as from multiple practice perspectives (direct service providers, administrators, researchers, and educators) the book documents the interrelated issues of social relationships and health in late life. It describes creative programs and intervention techniques that help maintain the integrity of an older adult's individual, group, and community relations, communication pathways, and a sense of belonging. The book also illuminates multidisciplinary and integrated best practices for minimizing the risk of late life social isolation. Case studies showcase the issues that arise in clinical practice and service delivery and demonstrate proven methods for effectively addressing them. Key Features: Delivers best-practice strategies and interventions for bolstering older adult social health and community engagement Written by top scholars in the gerontology community Explores the life-threatening risks and consequences of social isolation for older adults and their families Describes the wide range of social relationships that can determine the extent to which older adults will be at risk of becoming socially isolated Considers the role that older adult diversity and difference plays in determining quality of life and the integrity of relationships Highlights physical, behavioral, environmental, social, and economic forces that can influence the quality of late life relationships

As they reach middle age, most men begin looking forward to "what's next." They gear up to experience renewed productivity and purpose and are more conscious of their health. A Man's Guide to Healthy Aging is an authoritative resource for them, and for older men, as well. In collaboration with a variety of medical experts, the authors provide a comprehensive guide to healthy aging from a man's perspective. Edward H. Thompson, Jr., and Lenard W. Kaye - a medical sociologist and a gerontologist and social worker - offer invaluable information in four parts: "Managing Our Lives" describes the actions men can take to stay healthy. Here is information about how to eat well, reduce stress, and stay active for better overall health; "Mind and Body" considers how physical health and state of mind are connected. It explores sleep, drug and alcohol use, spirituality, and attitudes about appearance-and explains how all of these factors affect mental health; "Bodily Health" examines how body systems function and what changes may occur as men age. It covers the body from head to toe and reviews how to manage chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and heart conditions; and "Living with Others" shows the importance of interacting with friends and family. Topics include sexual intimacy, friendship, and caregiving, as well as how men can make the best decisions about end-of-life issues for themselves and their loved ones. Refuting the ageist stereotype that men spend their later years "winding down," this book will help men reinvent themselves once, twice, or more-by managing their health, creating new careers, and contributing their skills and experiences to their communities.