Abstract
Global aging has implications for health and social services with an increased need for services and providers to meet the growing demand. However, it is equally important to develop theoretical and practical frameworks to guide practice. This paper presents “Actively Aging,” a theoretical framework for social work practice based on the World Health Organization’s active aging policy framework, research on the meaning of active aging from the perspectives of older adults, and social work values. Actively Aging was specifically developed to challenge the “decline and loss” or medicalized approaches to aging that focus on what older adults can no longer do versus what they can do. It was also developed as a backlash to the discriminatory and non-inclusive approaches to aging, such as healthy, productive, or successful aging, which are geared towards “healthy” older adults and holds them to unrealistic middle-age standards. These one-dimensional and individualistic ideologies are incompatible with social work values, and a paradigm shift is needed. Actively Aging applies humanistic approaches to social work practice with older adults and considers the interplay between individuals’ experiences, their meanings of aging, and their sociocultural context. The background and rationale for the development and implementation of Actively Aging are presented.
Presenters
Jill ChonodyAssociate Professor, Social Work, Boise State University, Idaho, United States Barbra Teater
Professor of Social Work, College of Staten Island and The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Social and Cultural Perspectives on Aging
KEYWORDS
"Active Aging", " Social Work"
