Social Work and Gerontology A Students Perspective PRESENTED

Social Work and Gerontology: A Student’s Perspective PRESENTED AT THE 2009 CSWE APM ANITA ROSEN PANEL SESSION FOR BEST PRACTICES IN GERONTOLOGICAL INFUSION BY: IVORY WELBOURN NOVEMBER 7, 2009

Introduction Third year graduate student at the University of Nebraska at Omaha Pursuing a Master of Social Work and Graduate Certificate in Gerontology Interested in grandparents raising grandchildren and mental health in older adults With the increasing older adult population, the likeliness to work either directly or indirectly with issues related to older adults increases

Opportunities October 2009: Attended and co-presented at the Conference on Aging with Passion and Purpose “Self-Care for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren” October 2009: Inducted in the Sigma Phi Omega, international gerontology academic and professional honor society Induction ceremony was conducted by Lisa Gwyther, immediate past national president of the Gerontological Society of America, during the 2009 Conference on Aging with Passion and Purpose

Opportunities July 2009: Attended Nebraska Geriatric Education Center conference at the University of Nebraska Medical Center on issues related to frailty in older adults April 2007: Volunteered at the 2007 Careers in Aging Week Event February 2007: Co-presented with Dr. Amanda Randall at Iowa Western Community College to helping professionals who work with older adults “Grandparents Raising Grandchildren”

Courses – Specific to Gerontology Applied Social Gerontology Critique paper about a theory of aging Death, Dying, and Grieving Interview project Issues in Aging: Caregiving Paper and presentation about grandparents raising grandchildren

Courses – Specific to Gerontology Social Work Practice with Older Adults Interview/life reflections project Service-learning project Field trips Franciscan Adult Day Care Center Grandparent Resource Center Rose Blumkin Home

Courses – Specific to Gerontology Social Work Practice with Older Adults Cont’d Guest Speakers Rob Schiebelhoffer, Senior Behavioral Healthcare Services Therapy with older adults Gary George, Hospice House End of life issues Mary Zeleney Spirituality and social work with elders

Courses - Specific to Gerontology Mental Health and Aging Case exercises on older adults Interview project Two article reviews Working with Minority Elderly Service-learning project Intergenerational transference of culture with Native American elders and youth

Courses - Gerontology Content Research Methods in Clinical Practice Discussion on a research article relating to older adults Article review on “Notation of depression in case records of older adults in community long-term care” Social Work Practice with Groups Research and group proposal paper about a psychoeducational group for grandparents raising grandchildren

Courses – Gerontology Content Social Work Practice with Families Presented a case about an elderly woman and led class discussion about concepts from class related to the case Article review on nontraditional family systems Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Social Work Practice with Individuals Case analysis on an older adult

Courses – Gerontology Content Health/Mental Health Policy for Social Work Class lecture on elder health/mental health issues Class lecture on Theories of Aging, Perspective on Death and Dying, and The Grieving Process Guest Speaker: Dr. Nancy Kelley-Gillespie Dementia, Delirium, Depression, Suicide, Anxiety, and Substance Abuse in Older Adults

Courses – Gerontology Content Human Behavior and the Social Environment II Lecture on older adults Dementia, Delirium, Depression, Anxiety, and Substance Abuse Gerontological Jeopardy Aging in the United States and Implications for Culturally Competent Social Work Practice Video: “Prime Time Investigation Documentary on Ageism” Class exercise: What is your aging IQ? Social Welfare Policy Discussion on policy issues Medicare and Social Security

Questions/Comments THANK YOU!