ABSTRACT
In Chapter 1 it was suggested that social workers may have deep-seated, but possibly unrecognised, fears and prejudices about old age and that these inhibit involvement with the problems presented by people who are old. It has been recognised in respect of other clients – notably those who are mentally ill – that social workers do not necessarily begin with a ‘neutral’ attitude towards certain aspects of their work. Mental illness still retains some of its capacity to evoke fear and suspicion and a part of the supervision of students and practitioners who are learning about work with mentally ill people will be an exploration of attitudes towards mental illness and psychiatric hospitals. It may be argued that similar consideration of old age is necessary if social work skills with elderly people are to be developed.
