Social work with older people : approaches to person-centred practice

258 Pages·2012·2.08 MB·English

by  Barbara Hall

Social Work
with Older People
APROACHES TO PERSON-CENTRED PRACTICE Social Work
“In this book the
This accessible book takes a unique person-centred editors have brought
approach to working with older people and provides an together a tremendous
introduction to the legislation, policy, theory and range of practitioners with
research neded by social workers. The authors explore and academics, with Older People
the experience of being an older person and how
service user input, to
practitioners can work to make positive differences to
older people’s lives. In addition, the book: express a person-
• Goes beyond the mechanistic care management cTehnetsretydl ea ipsp arcocaecshsi.ble, APPROACHES TO PERSON-CENTRED PRACTICE
approaches to social work and encourages the and the content
reader to see older people holistically
comprehensive. It is an
• Features case studies and exercises to assist readers essential textbook for
in reflecting on their practice
assisting us to improve
• Examines a range of contexts and perspectives, practice in this often
including sexuality, spirituality, learning disabilities neglected area of social
• Encourages wider reflection on the constraints work and social care.”
posed by organisations employing social workers
and the impact on their practice Peter Gilbert,
Emeritus Professor,
• Provides an up-to-date exploration of safeguarding Staffordshire University, UK
issues
The authors take into account financial constraints with regard to the care of older
people and the impact of a changing demography, but remain upbeat and positive about
the value of social work intervention.
Social Work with Older People is relevant for students on placement in adult services
or voluntary organizations and social work practitioners working with older people.
Barbara Hall worked as a social worker and manager in mental health. She was Head of
Training and Development for West Sussex County Council and is an Associate Lecturer
at the University of Chichester, UK.
Terry Scragg worked as a social worker in health and social care services, with people
with learning disabilities and older people, and subsequently as a lecturer in social work.
He is currently working as a practice assessor with students completing their social work
degree at the University of Chichester, UK.
Contributors: Gill Butler, Rick Fisher, Chris Gaine, David Gaylard, John Gisby,
Vivienne Kilner, Andrea Linell, Andy Mantell, Debbie Smallbones, Chris Smethurst,
Sally Stapleton, Graham Tooth, Christine Wright.
Cover design Hybert Design • www.hybertdesign.com
Edited by BARBARA HALL and TERRY SCRAGG
www.openup.co.uk

Social Work with Older People HALL • SCRAGG
Social work with older
people
23797.indb i 07/01/12 4:59 PM
“This book provides the opportunity for student social workers and those new to this area of
practice to consider their own values and the reality of social work encounters … Its sensible
and grounded approach will help build good foundations for new practitioners wheresoever
they may be”.
Jill Manthorpe, Professor of Social Work, King’s College London, UK
“This remarkable book could not have come at a more opportune time, given the current
reappraisal of the importance of social work with adults and older people. It catches the
sense of social work’s ability to ‘make a difference’ which I found so exciting when I trained
as a social worker … It has been created by a community of practice around West Sussex,
and refl ects their huge and various range of experience, presented accessibly and
authoritatively.”
John Dixon, former Director of Social Service for West Sussex, UK and
President of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services, UK
“In this book the editors have brought together a tremendous range of practitioners and
academics, with service user input, to express a person-centred approach. The style is
accessible, and the content comprehensive. It is an essential textbook for assisting us to
improve practice in this often neglected area of social work and social care.”
Peter Gilbert, Emeritus Professor, Staffordshire University, UK
23797.indb i 07/01/12 4:59 PM
Social work with
older people
Approaches to
person-centred practice
Edited by Barbara Hall and Terry Scragg
Open University Press
23797.indb i 07/01/12 4:59 PM
Open University Press
McGraw-Hill Education
McGraw-Hill House
Shoppenhangers Road
Maidenhead
Berkshire
England
SL6 2QL
email:
Contents
List of boxes, tables, fi gures vii
Editors and contributors ix
Acknowledgements xi
Introduction 1
Barbara Hall and Terry Scragg
PART 1
Setting the context and the importance of values 5
1 Refl ective social work practice with older people: the
professional and the organization 7
Barbara Hall
2 Contextualizing the experience of older people 31
Chris Smethurst
PART 2
Equality and diversity in working with older people 55
3 Working with older people from Black and ethnic minorities 57
Chris Gaine
4 Working with older people with mental health needs 72
David Gaylard
5 Working with older people with dementia 89
Sally Stapleton
6 Working with older people with learning disabilities 101
Terry Scragg
7 Working with older people with long term conditions 116
Rick Fisher and Terry Scragg
8 Working with loss and bereavement in older people 132
Terry Scragg
23797.indb v 07/01/12 4:59 PM
vi CONTENTS
9 Work with older people and sexuality 147
Chris Gaine and Andy Mantell
10 Work with older people and spirituality 161
Graham Tooth and Andrea Linell
PART 3
Enhancing the well-being of older people and safeguarding issues 177
11 Skills in working with risk 179
Chris Smethurst, Vivienne Killner, Deborah Smallbones and Christine Wright
12 Skills in safeguarding and supporting older people 200
John Gisby and Gill Butler
Index 221
23797.indb vi 07/01/12 4:59 PM
List of boxes, tables, fi gures
Boxes
7.1 11 quality requirements for service provision 119
9.1 Social changes with regard to sexuality 150
Tables
1.1 Command and control versus systems thinking 27
3.1 Immigration as a source of ethnic diversity since the 1930s 59
3.2 Interpreting issues 64
3.3 ‘Religion is very important to how I live my life’ 65
5.1 Examples of personal detractions 92
5.2 Examples of personal enhancers 93
8.1 Some possible responses to grief 139
10.1 Evaluating spiritual signifi cance 174
12.1 Possible feelings and reactions to abuse 215
Figures
3.1 ‘Not good’ health and long term illness or disability 67
10.1 Spirituality common to all beings 166
10.2 Additional factors shaping spirituality in older age 168
10.3 Relevance of spirituality to assessment and care outcomes 174
23797.indb vi 07/01/12 4:59 PM
23797.indb vi 07/01/12 4:59 PM
Editors and contributors
Barbara Hall (editor) was Head of Training and Development for West Sussex County
Council and is an Associate Lecturer, Department of Social Work and Social Care,
University of Chichester.
Terry Scragg (editor) is a social work Practice Assessor, working with the University of
Chichester.
Gill Butler is Deputy Dean, Department of Social Work and Social Care, University of
Chichester.
Rick Fisher is Senior Lecturer in Adult Nursing, School of Health and Social Care,
Bournemouth University.
Chris Gaine is Professor of Applied Social Policy, Department of Social Work and Social
Care, University of Chichester.
David Gaylard is Senior Lecturer in Social Work, Department of Social Work and Social
Care, University of Chichester.
John Gisby is Business Development Offi cer, Care Training Consortium, West Sussex
County Council.
Vivienne Kilner is a Social Worker, West Sussex County Council Adult Services.
Andrea Linell was a Training and Development Offi cer for West Sussex County Council.
Andy Mantell is Senior Lecturer in Social Work, Department of Social Work and Social
Care, University of Chichester.
Debbie Smallbones is a Social Worker, West Sussex County Council Adult Services.
Chris Smethurst is Senior Lecturer in Social Work, Department of Social Work and
Social Care, University of Chichester.
Sally Stapleton is Locum Consultant and Lead Clinical Psychologist, West Sussex,
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Older People’s Services.
Graham Tooth was a Training and Development Offi cer and Practice Teacher for West
Sussex County Council.
Christine Wright is a Social Worker, West Sussex County Council Adult Services.
23797.indb ix 07/01/12 4:59 PM