ABSTRACT
The Caribbean, although classified as a developing country has been experiencing an ageing of its population over the past two decades. Faced with the lack of a well-developed social service infrastructure for seniors and economic challenges, care of the elderly is predominantly by families and in the community. Training institutions have had to develop new programs and new approaches to aid those caring for seniors.
A course for community based social workers of varying backgrounds has been developed to enhance their skills in promoting good health as well as maximum independence in all aspects of life among seniors. Health as defined by the World Health Organization is all embracing including physical, mental, social and spiritual aspects. The course uses several innovative approaches one of which the paper discusses.
A key component of the course is the use of the “Family Study” which exposes teams of students to a family, which includes a senior for the du242ration of the 20-week course. Seniors are chosen for study based on their social, physical complaints and desire for assistance.
Using a modified version of the social compass and other quality of life assessment tools, students are required to not only identify the problems but how the problem affects the senior and the family and to plan and implement an intervention based on the strengths and weaknesses of the senior and the support system. The paper describes the process and the evolution of the use of the family study since 1992 and the students’ evaluation of it.
The family study also exposes the students to other aspects of theories and practices associated with ageing, including the importance of effective communication and how to work in teams.
The inclusion of a practical approach involving seniors and their families has strengthened the academic program while benefiting the client so satisfying the needs of both. [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-HAWORTH. E-mail address: <docdelivery@haworthpress.com> Website: < https://www.HaworthPress.com" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">https://www.HaworthPress.com > © 2002 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.]
