Aging Practice Tools

In the spirit of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15), NASW has published a report describing how social workers are responding to and preventing elder abuse at local, state, national, and Tribal levels. This publication aims both to advance elder justice within the social work profession and to underscore the innumerable contributions of the profession to the elder justice field.

This inventory, developed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in May 2022, provides resources for health and social service providers interested in enhancing outreach to and support for older Veterans who have or are at risk for behavioral health conditions. The inventory includes programs and publications on topics such as posttraumatic stress disorder, substance use disorders, pain management, suicide prevention, and long-term services and supports.

Social workers play integral roles in helping clients understand, access, and navigate Social Security benefits. This Practice Alert provides updates on field office reopenings and other recent developments within the Social Security Administration. It concludes with NASW advocacy related to Social Security.

Following its November 12, 2021, release of guidance for nursing home visitation during the COVID-19 pandemic, CMS released three versions of frequently asked questions clarifying the guidance. NASW upholds both the right of nursing home residents to receive visitors and the need for vaccination and other public health measures to decrease COVID-19 transmission and severity. The association offers resources to help social workers engage with clients, colleagues, family, and friends about COVID-19 vaccination.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, limitations on visits in nursing homes have taken a physical and emotional toll on residents. Recognizing this reality, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently updated its guidance to nursing homes regarding visitation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read this NASW blog to learn about the updated guidance.

Although serious mental illness is not part of the typical aging process, it can present significant challenges to overall health for adults 50 years and older. This new SAMHSA guide, developed with input from NASW, provides considerations and strategies for service providers and policy makers in understanding, selecting, and implementing evidence-based interventions that support older adults with serious mental illness.