Social Work with Older Adults Course Descriptions

Classes will be held on Wednesday evenings at the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration
969 East 60th Street
Chicago, IL 60637

An Introduction to the Social Work with Older Adults Program
August 7, 2013
6:00 - 8:00 pm
This will be an informal gathering of participants, instructors, and leaders in the field of aging to provide an introduction to program goals, course content, and class materials.

The Process of Aging
September 18, 2013
6:00 - 9:00 pm
Instructor: Darby Morhardt
This session will create a framework for examining the aging process from a variety of perspectives: biomedical, psychological, socioeconomic, cultural, and phenomenological, and examine the contemporary trends that are shaping aging policy, practice, and theory.  We will discuss the dynamic interaction between the older person and their social and physical environment and the role of social work in assessment, intervention, administration, and policy-making, including a review of the Affordable Care Act and its impact on service delivery. 

Engaging the Older Adult and Cultural Competency
September 25, 2013
6:00 - 9:00 pm
Instructors: Sharon Dornberg-Lee, Grisel Rodriguez-Morales
This session will address the worker’s use of self with older adults, from initial engagement through treatment and termination. The meaning of losses in late life will be explored using a self psychological model.  Common transference and countertransference issues with this population will also be discussed. Case examples will demonstrate a strengths-based approach, with attention to a diverse population of older adults.

Engaging in cultural competency activities are important not only for the diverse range of older adults we serve, but also for our own professional and personal growth.  The instructor will present a unique perspective on why it is important to engage in culturally conscious discussions.  Participants will be presented with the various stages of cultural competency as they are viewed on a continuum.  Additionally, participants will be presented with information needed to begin the journey of cultural competency.

Assessment and Care Planning
October 2, 2013
6:00 - 9:00 pm
Instructors: Stanley G. McCracken, Louise Starmann
A comprehensive bio-psychosocial assessment is an essential ingredient to work with older adults in any practice setting. The older adult population can be impacted by several coexisting factors such as medical issues, financial barriers, social context, cultural and cognitive functioning. Understanding the elder’s family system, living arrangement, and mental health can drastically influence the nature of our work with this population. The development of a plan of care must acknowledge the strengths and deficits in multiple domains. This session will focus on the multiple domains that impact the lives of aging clients and how these complex issues can be addressed in the development of a plan of care. Assessment tools will be discussed as well as the process of assessment in a manner which supports choice and the dignity of the older adult.  This session will include a section on discussing substance use with older adults. Participants will learn how to initiate this conversation and how to screen for troublesome use of drugs, such as high-risk drinking.

Resources and Navigating the System
October 9, 2013
6:00 - 9:00 pm
Instructor: Rosann Corcoran
As older adults are living longer, they can be assisted by social workers in choosing among a variety of comprehensive services that allow them to maintain their independent living status. It is important for social workers to have a basic understating of what supports and services are available and how an older adult's income and assets, government benefits, and insurance plans can be used to keep them as independent as possible. This session will provide information on basic benefits and resources so that social workers can understand the complexities of options and more confidently direct their clients toward needed assistance. Participants will receive resource lists and concrete service information as well as participate in an interactive exploration and discussion of case material.

Bio-Medical Considerations
October 16, 2013
6:00 - 9:00 pm
Instructors: Kate Krajci, Anthony Perry
Within the heterogeneous population of older adults, there is a wide spectrum of health and disability. Multiple co-morbidities within an individual play a major role in the wellness of older adults. Furthermore, the interactions between disease processes, treatment options based on prognosis and access, and social support are complex. This session will provide a general overview of chronic diseases in the older adult and key geriatric syndromes including: delirium, depressions, falls, urinary incontinence, pain, frailty, and polypharmacy for social workers.

Mental Health Diagnosis and Treatment
October 23, 2013
6:00 - 9:00 pm
Instructor: Sharon Dornberg-Lee
This session will examine common mental health problems among older adults, from anxiety and depression, to late-life psychosis, to personality disorders. Particular attention will be paid to effective assessment and intervention around suicidality. A variety of treatment approaches, with special adaptations for older adults, will be highlighted. Effective assessment instruments for the evaluation of treatment outcomes will be presented. 

Cognitive Impairment
October 30, 2013
6:00 - 9:00 pm
Instructor: Daniel Kuhn
Cognitive impairment is quite common among older adults. It ranges on a continuum from mild forgetting to severe problems with memory, thinking, language, and self-care abilities. Recent advances in neuroscience have shown that damage begins in the human brain long before symptoms of dementia emerge. Thus, the traditional line between normal and abnormal cognition has become blurred. Changes in the new DSM-5 reflect the growing recognition of this continuum and what social workers need to know to help affected individuals and their families. This session will describe this continuum, explain criteria for diagnosis, differentiate types of dementia, and address treatment options.  More important, the psychosocial issues for persons with cognitive impairment such as autonomy versus the need for care will be addressed. 

End of Life Issues
November 6, 2013
6:00 - 9:00 pm
Instructor: Nancy Flowers
This session will provide the opportunity to explore the meaning of spirituality and spiritual well-being to older adults and their families.  Older adults experiencing serious illnesses and end of life concerns may find themselves re-evaluating the meaning of life and loss, and the significance of spirituality in their lives. Topics that many shy away from--advance care planning, medical and legal directives, and the role of hospice and palliative care--become of increasing importance to older persons and their families as they age. However, resources may be underutilized due to lack of knowledge, cultural beliefs, and fear. This session will explore issues related to coping with aging, disability, and end of life including the role of culture and ethnicity. It will also cover services such as hospice and palliative care, and the meaning of autonomy and competency related to decision-making and advance care planning. Legal issues such as guardianship, estate planning, and financial protections will also be discussed.

Closing Reception
November 13, 2013
6:00 - 8:00 pm