Discussion Post: The Aging Process
As individuals grow older, they experience biological changes, but how they experience these changes varies considerably. Senescence, or the process of aging, "affects different people, and various parts of the body, at different rates" (Zastrow& Kirst-Ashman, 2019, p. 644).
What factors affect the aging process? Why do some individuals appear to age faster than others? In this Discussion you address these questions and consider how, you, as a social worker, might apply your understanding of the aging process to your work with older clients.
To prepare for this Discussion, read "Working With the Aging: The Case of Francine" in Social Work Case Studies: Foundation Year.
1) To prepare for this Discussion, read "Working With the Aging: The Case of Francine" in Social Work Case Studies: Foundation Year
2) Apply your understanding of the aging process to Francine's case. How might Francine's environment have influenced her aging process? How might you, as Francine's social worker, apply your knowledge of the aging process to her case?
3) Identify an additional strategy you might use to apply your knowledge of the aging process to social work practice with older clients in general. Explain why you would use the strategy.
References:
1) Zastrow, C. H., Kirst-Ashman, K. K. &Hessenauer, S. L. (2019). Understanding human behavior and the social environment (11th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.
o Chapter 1, "Introduction to Human Behavior and the Social Environment" (pp. 12-13)
o Chapter 14, "Biological Aspects of Later Adulthood" (pp. 642-671)
2) Plummer, S. -B., Makris, S., &Brocksen, S. M. (Eds.). (2014). Social work case studies: Foundation year. Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing. [Vital Source e-reader].
o "Working With the Aging: The Case of Francine" (pp. 39-41)
3) Guindon, S., &Cappeliez, P. (2010). Contributions of psychological well-being and social support to an integrative model of subjective health in later adulthood. Ageing International, 35(1), 38-60
Homework: End-of-Life Care and Social Work Practice
For this Homework, you consider a social worker's role in end-of-life care. In addition to reading this week's resources, conduct your own research and obtain at least one additional journal article that addresses how a social worker might support clients as they plan end-of-life care.
Write 2 pages paper that analyzes the role of the social worker in helping to plan end-of-life care. Include possible consideration of palliative care, euthanasia, hospice care, the living will and advanced directives, and other factors. Research and cite at least one journal article to support your analysis
Format your homework according to the following formatting requirements:
(1) The answer should be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
(2) The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the homework, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
(3) Also include a reference page. The Citations and references should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.
References:
1) AmaryAlcide, Miriam Potocky. (2015) Adult Hospice Social Work Intervention Outcomes in the United States. Journal of Social Work in End-of-Life & Palliative Care 11:3-4, pages 367-385.
2) Suzanne Marmo, Cathy Berkman. (2020) Hospice social workers' perception of being valued by the interdisciplinary team and the association with job satisfaction. Social Work in Health Care 59:4, pages 219-235.
3) Barbara Head, Bonika Peters, Alyssa Middleton, Chuck Friedman, Neil Guman. (2019) Results of a nationwide hospice and palliative care social work job analysis. Journal of Social Work in End-of-Life & Palliative Care 15:1, pages 16-33.