Get Involved
The number of older people, particularly those over 85, is growing, and they need more assistance to remain active and independent. Well-trained, aging-savvy social workers serve as "navigators" and "expediters," empowering older adults and families to understand and choose among the bewildering array of available health and social services. They also provide counseling and direct services, facilitate family support, and coordinate care delivered through professional systems.
The Geriatric Social Work Initiative (GSWI) is
collaborating with social work programs, organizations and
other funders around the country to prepare needed,
aging-savvy social workers and improve the care and well-being
of older adults and their families.
We invite you to join us in this important work:
Learn more about GSWI
View our YouTube channel & follow us on Twitter @HGSWI
2012 Careers in Aging and Social Work
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Leadership Partners
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The Mental Health Concerns of America's Older Adults
One in four American adults lives with a mental health problem. Depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety are only a few of the myriad of mental health conditions that affect aging older adults in the United States. In May we honor both Mental Health Month and Older Americans Month by focusing on information to assist older adults, their caregivers, and geriatric social workers talk about the importance of mental health, identify potential resources, and access treatment for mental illness. This includes information on the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act, which is a source of many important resources & programs for older adults. So we invite you to take some time to browse the links below:
Mental Health America’s Depression in Older Adults Information Page
American Psychological Association’s Coping with Stress and Anxiety Tips
NCOA’s Older Americans Act Fact Page
What's
New
Ripples, the e-newsletter of the Geriatric Social Work Initiative: May edition, The Mental Health Concerns of America's Older Adults. Click here for our latest issue.
*NEW* HGSWI seeking recipient quotes & photos for fall celebrations
The HGSWI is seeking photos and quotes from current & previous GSWI participants. These items will be displayed during a slide presentation during celebrations at the 2012 CSWE & GSA Annual meetings. To submit a quote, click here. Please send photos (from HGSWI-related events or activities) to hartford.evaluator@gmail.com.
*NEW* New poll of older adults from the John A. Hartford Foundation reveals serious gaps in care
Many older Americans, including those with a regular primary care provider, are not receiving important geriatric services, according to a new poll released by the John A. Hartford Foundation. In the nationally representative poll of Americans age 65 and older, large majorities report that they have not received depression screening, falls history or counseling, referral to community-based health resources, and other important services that support healthy aging. The poll also explores awareness of the new Medicare Annual Wellness visit and older patient satisfaction. For a complete list of findings from the poll, please visit http://www.jhartfound.org/learning-center/hartford-poll-2012/.
Other News
*NEW* Careers in Aging Week 2012 was a success!
Students across the country attended a number of university sponsored events including discussion panels, career fairs, and film screenings. Thanks to the colleges and universities who shared pictures and summaries on the success of their events. Click here to read more about the 2012 CIAW activities.
Congratulations to Dr. Barbara Berkman for receiving the American Cancer Society's Distinguished Achievement in Cancer Award
Dr. Barbara Berkman, P.I. and National Director of the Hartford Geriatric Social Work Faculty Scholars Program, has been selected by the American Cancer Society (ACS) Board of Directors to receive the ACS's 2012 Distinguished Achievement in Cancer Award. Dr. Berkman's research has focused on health and mental health with older adults and families and in particular the psychological, social, and environment dimensions of coping and caring for patients with cancer. Having served on the ACS Research Council and other ACS committees for many years, Dr. Berkman was pleased to bring a psychosocial perspective into a predominantly biologically-oriented research environment demonstrating the link between social work and health care. Please join the Hartford Geriatric Social Work Initiative in congratulating Dr. Berkman on this significant award.
Patricia J. Volland to receive Distinguished Recent Contributions in Social Work Education Award
Congratulations to Patricia J. Volland, P.I. and National Director of the Hartford Partnership Program for Aging Education (HPPAE), who has been selected by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) to receive the Distinguished Recent Contributions in Social Education Award. The award will be presented to Volland at the 2012 CSWE Annual Program Meeting to be held in Washington, DC. The award recognizes Volland’s efforts in revolutionizing social work education and field practice with older adults by founding the Social Work Leadership Institute (SWLI) at the New York Academy of Medicine.
Hartford Foundation Announces Strategic Planning for Geriatric Social Work
In a recent letter to grantees, the John A. Hartford Foundation has provided an update regarding the Geriatric Social Work Initiative and asked the social work community for input regarding the strategic planning process that the Foundation has undertaken.
New APA Resource to Assist Family Caregivers
The American Psychological Association’s (APA) is pleased to announce a new web-based resource titled the Family Caregiver Briefcase for Psychologists. The Briefcase can be used to assist family caregivers through individual and organizational practice, research, teaching, advocacy and community service. It is also useful for other professionals who work with family caregivers, psychologists facing caregiving challenges within their own families, and caregivers themselves. Briefcase components include: Caregiving facts and figures, strategies for reaching family caregivers, caregiving interventions, assessment tools and much more. The Briefcase was developed by the members of the 2010 APA Presidential Task Force on Caregivers.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration: An Essential Element in Geriatric Social Work
Gerontology is, by its nature, an interdisciplinary science. Social workers in gerontology often work together with many other types of professionals including nurses, physicians, policymakers, and administrators. How are social workers important to interdisciplinary collaboration? See: GSWI's Own Interdisciplinary Collaboration Page & The Hartford Foundation Report on Interdisciplinary Geriatric Research.
health AGEnda - The John A. Hartford Foundation Blog
Keep up to date with the latest in the aging and the broader conversation around health, health care and health policy with the Hartford Foundation blog - health AGEnda.
The Handbook of Social Work in Health and Aging
A
publication by Dr. Barbara Berkman: The Handbook of Social Work in Health and Aging. Click
here to order a copy.
Action Briefs of the Hartford Geriatric Social Work
Initiative are now available:
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