Older people

Social workers in this area promote independence, choice and inclusion and help to combat age discrimination as well as prevent abuse. When working with older people, you need to focus on the individual and take into account their changing expectations and needs. Older people often face distressing situations relating to bereavement, isolation and loss. This could be loss of income, status, dignity or motivation. Hospitals, residential homes, sheltered accommodation or service users’ homes will be the most common working environments and you could work in the public sector, private sector or voluntary sector. 

You will be required to assess a service user’s case, discuss the outcomes of the assessment and then ensure that the service user receives the help that he or she needs. The service user’s situation is then monitored and reviewed periodically. Other professionals you may work ith include occupational therapists, geriatricians, district nurses and general practitioners.

Shoptalk

Due to the blame and shame culture of the media, you only ever hear about the failure in provision of services for older people. However, there’s a great deal of good work going on to protect older people from financial or physical abuse, and maltreatment in residential care. The government will shortly be publishing a white paper about independence and choice, setting out the provision of social care for older people. Setting up joint visiting teams is also a new initiative involving the Department for Work and Pensions and local authorities to ensure the maximisation of older people’s incomes. Acronyms you may encounter in the field include:

• EMI – elderly and mentally infirm
• FACS – fair access to care services
• POVA – protection of vulnerable adults. 

Skills required

The ability to apply your social care knowledge.

• Empathy.
• An eagerness to learn from others.
• Excellent verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
• The capacity to work as part of a team and independently.
• Good planning skills.

Starting out

There are usually good induction programmes for newly qualified social workers, involving opportunities for shadowing experienced workers and visits to related departments. You get to see the decision-making process and discuss cases with more experienced staff. After induction, you will be given a small caseload and mentored through the assessment and care management process.

In brief

• Best bits
  You never get bored as the job is varied and unpredictable.
  It’s great helping to change perceptions about older people.
  Working as part of a dedicated team.
• Worst bits 
  Mountains of paperwork!
  It can be frustrating when you don’t achieve anticipated goals.
• Don’t bother if... 
  ...you are judgemental and lack perseverance – it can take a long time to make little progress.