Abstract

This historical article explores how the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) past efforts promoted inclusion of geriatric content in social work education resulting in increased numbers of qualified geriatric social workers. Drawing from archive materials including correspondences and letters from the 1940s and 1950s, this article purports that lessons learned then can be applied today to increase the number of geriatric social workers and guide other disciplines’ efforts when working with the aging population. Our current changing political climate suggests that older Americans may be more vulnerable than ever, particularly in regard to economic stability and health care. The demand for community resources for older adults and skilled professionals to work with them is paramount. Increasing interest in geriatric social work is especially critical at this time.