This article reports on a review of the literature comparing the outcomes of social workers with those of non-social workers. The review was commissioned by NASW's Texas Chapter to examine empirical evidence regarding the comparative effectiveness of social work to possibly support efforts to educate employers and the public about the value of…

Older adult inmates have grown both in proportion and in number due to the confluence of a number of factors. This aging of the prison population has created a host of policy and practice issues that encompass justice considerations, cost containment issues, and biopsychosocial care needs. The older prisoner's physical, social, and psychological…

Social workers have given relatively little attention to consequences of plant closings for workers. Discusses effects of plant closings on workers, their families, and the community through a review of the literature and a case study. Identifies older workers as group most negatively affected by plant closing. Suggests intervention role for…

To understand the challenges African American families face when combining employment commitments and informal caregiving responsibilities, uses data from a sample of 119 African American elder-caregiver dyads. Examines the nature of caregiving relationships and extent to which caregivers' employment statuses affect the hours of care provided.…

Reviews the literature on elder abuse and examines categories of abuse, the incidence of abuse, and characteristics of the typical abused person. Concluded that the abused person is characteristically a severely impaired woman, aged 75 and over, White, widowed, and living with relatives. (LLL)

Current governmental policy regarding long-term care of the elderly relies heavily on a medical-model approach that stresses institutionalization. This policy must be redirected to encourage development of viable alternative programs and to support the traditional role of families in caring for their dependent aged members. (Author)

Income maintenance policies are geared to reducing the risks of parental dependence on children. Although such help is extensive, families do not possess unending resources for attending to the complex health and social needs of aging relatives. Discusses present income maintenance strategy as well as alternatives to traditional care. (Author)

Older people often do not receive the information needed to protect themselves from becoming infected with AIDS. The diverse working environments of social workers place them in an opportune position to work with adults of all sexual orientations. Guidelines and case studies are presented that social workers can use to provide prevention education…

Studies the implementation of the 1978 amendments to the Older Americans Act as stimulants of change in the structure of the aging network. Explores designating community facilities as focal points for delivery of services to the aged, involving changes in the allocation of resources and interorganizational relationships. (Author)

Argues contemporary social work practice will, of necessity, involve political activism. This activism will strengthen and redefine the relationship between legislative policy and social work practice in the field of aging. Asserts social work practitioners in all roles will be challenged to refine or redefine their goals while remaining true to…

Examines the gap in the theoretical and clinical training of social workers in helping the homosexual client. Proposes specific approaches for improving services to clients who are gay or lesbian. Discusses other neglected clients including heterosexual spouses, children of a homosexual parent, and aging homosexuals. (Author/RC)

Suggests the helping professions ignore older homosexual men and women, groups that have special strengths and needs. Describes the institutional, legal, emotional, and medical problems older homosexuals face and discusses how social workers can provide services to these groups. (Author)

Describes special areas of practice that make up the field of social work. Discusses the relationship between individuals and their environment and the role that social workers play in the schools, mental and physical health care, community services, and industry. (JAC)