Assignment:
Discussion: 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, 2016, p. 658).
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.
Post a Discussion in which you: a Discussion in which you:
• 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?
• 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.
Read a selection of your colleagues' posts.
Respond to at least two colleague's post in one of the following ways:
• From a strength's perspective, critique your colleague's approach to addressing Francine's case. Provide support for your critique.
• Critique your colleague's strategy for applying knowledge of the aging process to work with older clients. Discuss how cultural, ethnic, and societal influences might affect the application of this strategy.
Required Readings
Zastrow, C. H., &Kirst-Ashman, K. K. (2016).Understanding human behavior and the social environment (10th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.
• "Introduction to human behavior and the social environment: The strengths perspective" (pp. 13)
• "Biological Aspects of Later Adulthood" (pp. 654-684)
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].
• "Working With the Aging: The Case of Francine" (pp. 39-41)
Note: This text is available as an eBook (electronic book). It will be provided to you via an email from the Walden University book store.
Bosma, H., Johnston, M., Cadell, S., Wainwright, W., Abernethy, N., Feron, A., & ... Nelson, F. (2010).Creating social work competencies for practice in hospice palliative care.Palliative Medicine, 24(1), 79-87.
Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.
Cagle, J. G., & Kovacs, P. J. (2009).Education: A complex and empowering social work intervention at the end of life.Health & Social Work, 34(1), 17-27.
Dosser, I., & Kennedy, C. (2012).Family carers' experiences of support at the end of life: Carers' and health professionals' views.International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 18(10), 491-497.
Reese, D. J. (2011).Interdisciplinary perceptions of the social work role in hospice: Building upon the classic Kulys and Davis study.Journal of Social Work in End-of-Life & Palliative Care, 7(4), 383-406.