Practice Settings

Do you think working with older adults means that you'll be working in a nursing home? Try again! Social workers provide support and services to older adults and their families in a diverse array of settings. Social workers assist older adults to maintain or improve their quality of life through direct services and consultation, counseling, and education. They also work as supervisors, administrators, public policy analysts, advocates, researchers, group leaders, and trainers. Some practice settings focus soley on older clients, while others serve a mix of younger and older clients.

Social Workers Make a Difference in:

 

Adult Day Health Care Mental Health Centers LGBT Services
Senior Housing
Grandparent  Caregiver Support Programs Skilled Nursing Homes
Caregiver Support Programs Bereavement Programs Nutrition Programs
Health Promotion and Wellness Community Centers Primary Care
Elder Abuse Prevention Education Planning Agencies
Programs for Immigrants Family Services State Legislatures
Transition Planning Home Health Care Geriatric Care Management
Veterans’ Services
Developmental Disabilities Services Adult Protective Services
Private Clinical Practice Hospice and Palliative Care Rehabilitation Centers
Civic Engagement Hospitals and Outpatient Clinics Research Centers
Kinship Care Information and Referral Respite Programs
Assisted Living  Facilities Employment and Volunteer Programs Senior Centers
Intergenerational Programs Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services
 

 



Mental Health Practice
  • This video depicts a social worker conducting a brief mental health screening and assessment with an older adult client.
Connecting Veterans to Services
  • Social workers help connect aging veterans to the resources they need. This article from Aging Times describes one student’s experience.