Aging Practice Tools

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.

Privacy and Confidentiality, 1.07, is one of the most cited areas of the NASW Code of Ethics. This member-only publication, developed by the NASW Office of Ethics and Professional Review, offers eight considerations for honoring the clinical relationship and communications between social workers and their clients.

Many elder justice services offered by social workers are supported by federal funding. Understanding how elder abuse programs are funded and administered can help social workers both understand the breadth of existing social work roles within the elder justice movement and identify potential resources to support innovation. This open-access publication, one of a four-part NASW series on elder justice, focuses on funding for and administration of elder justice programs within four spheres: aging, disability, intimate partner violence, and crime victim assistance.