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Full-Text Articles in Social Work
Increasing Aging Content Within The Social Work Curriculum: Perceptions Of Key Constituents, Stacey Kolomer, Terri Lewinson, Nancy Kropf, Scott Wilks
Increasing Aging Content Within The Social Work Curriculum: Perceptions Of Key Constituents, Stacey Kolomer, Terri Lewinson, Nancy Kropf, Scott Wilks
Nancy P. Kropf
This mixed methodology study examines the perceptions of key constituents regarding methods for effectively integrating aging content into the foundation curriculum of the BSW and MSW program at the University of Georgia School of Social Work. Students were asked to complete a survey to determine their perception of geriatric content that existed within the foundation coursework. Following an analysis of the survey results, eight semi-structured focus group discussions were conducted with a purposeful sample of students, faculty, field instructors, social work alumni, older adults from the community, and representatives from aging agencies. The intention of these focus groups was to …
The Future Of Aging In Social Work: "Everything Old Is New Again", Nancy Kropf, Margaret Adamek
The Future Of Aging In Social Work: "Everything Old Is New Again", Nancy Kropf, Margaret Adamek
Nancy P. Kropf
With the aging of the baby boom generation, the number of older adults in the U.S. will increase substantially. Using a biopsychosocial framework, this article presents cutting-edge issues of older adulthood and considers emerging roles of social workers with older adults and their families. Research, education, and policy perspectives that will advance social work knowledge, skills and resources in aging are proposed. Social work as a profession is challenged to lead the way in making "everything old new again."
An Infusion Model For Including Content On Elders With Chronic Mental Illness In The Curriculum, Nancy Kropf, Sherry Cummings
An Infusion Model For Including Content On Elders With Chronic Mental Illness In The Curriculum, Nancy Kropf, Sherry Cummings
Nancy P. Kropf
Older people with chronic mental illness (CMI) are experiencing longer life expectancies that parallel those of the general population. Due to their experience of having CMI, these older adults present unique issues that affect service delivery and care provision. Content on this population is often omitted in the curriculum, which leaves students unprepared to practice with these clients. This article proposes an infusion model that can be used in baccalaureate or graduate foundation courses to increase exposure to elders with CMI.
Knowledge Of And Attitudes Toward Aging Among Non-Elders: Gender And Race Differences, Nancy Kropf, Sherry Cummings, Kevin Deweaver
Knowledge Of And Attitudes Toward Aging Among Non-Elders: Gender And Race Differences, Nancy Kropf, Sherry Cummings, Kevin Deweaver
Nancy P. Kropf
Although the aging process begins at birth, fears about late adulthood can foster anxiety in younger cohorts about this time of life. This study examines the relationship between non-elderly subjects' (n = 884, 18-55 years) knowledge of and anxieties regarding personal aging and their gender and race. We hypothesized that nonelderly women and persons of color, those who will experience multiple jeopardy in their own late life, would report greater anxiety about their own aging process than did men and majority group members. Women did report lower income and education levels, less knowledge of aging, greater anxiety related to their …
Evidenced-Based Treatment For Older Adults, Sherry Cummings, Nancy Kropf, Kimberly Cassie, Brian Bride
Evidenced-Based Treatment For Older Adults, Sherry Cummings, Nancy Kropf, Kimberly Cassie, Brian Bride
Nancy P. Kropf
Over the past several decades, the number of older adults has grown at an unprecedented rate. As the number of older adults continues to increase with the aging of the baby boom generation, it is essential that social workers have knowledge of effective strategies for promoting quality of life and treating later-life mental health disorders among older adults and their family members. In order to promote such knowledge, this article reviews the outcomes research literature related to individual and group treatments for older adults and their familial caregivers. Empirically based research studies published between 1985 and the present were examined …
Strategies To Increase Student Interest In Aging, Nancy Kropf
Strategies To Increase Student Interest In Aging, Nancy Kropf
Nancy P. Kropf
Due to changing demographics, all social workers will have experience working with older clients and their families within professional roles. Unfortunately, social work education continues to lag in preparing students to be effective in practice with aging clients. Several strategies are presented with the goal of increasing student interest in the field of aging. At the program level, initiatives include using experiential learning, infusing aging content into required courses, and enhancing faculty capacity in aging. In addition, social work programs can build collaborations within the university setting and practice community. Overall, the goal is to present aging as an exciting …
Future Training And Education Recommendations For Rural Gerontological Social Workers, Nancy Kropf
Future Training And Education Recommendations For Rural Gerontological Social Workers, Nancy Kropf
Nancy P. Kropf
With the increasing number of older adults, social work students need to be prepared to work with this population in a variety of settings. Rural areas may have high concentrations of older adults including those who age-in-place, and those who relocate to retirement areas in small towns and rural communities. Within the curriculum, content on health care, economics, and leadership/decision making need to be included to prepare students for practice in these areas. In addition, programs need to actively seek students who have an interest in working within more rural practice settings.
Grandparents As Family Caregivers: Lessons For Intergenerational Education, Nancy Kropf, Denise Burnett
Grandparents As Family Caregivers: Lessons For Intergenerational Education, Nancy Kropf, Denise Burnett
Nancy P. Kropf
The number of grandparents who have responsibility for raising grandchildren has increased dramatically over the past several decades. From an educational perspective, content on custodial grandparents can promote an increased interest in, and understanding of, the complexities of aging by stressing the intergenerational aspects of this family form. This paper describes the growing population of custodial grandparents, and the larger socio environmental contexts of these families. In addition, it highlights instructional approaches for including content on grandparent-headed families within didactic and experiential courses.