The role of the social worker in a residential setting with the elderly

Abstract

Countries around the world, including Malta, are "experiencing the phenomenon of widespread ageing" (International Institute on Ageing, 1996, p. 17). During the past fifty years, the older Maltese population has been increasing constantly and according to the 1995 national census, 59,900 people (15.95 percent of the whole population) were in the 60+ age group (Troisi, Tranter, Rizzo Naudi, Bezzina, Galea Seychell, n.d.). This demographic fact presents many challenges to the Maltese society. The clarification of the roles of the informal and formal sector in the care of older adults is one of these challenges. Economic, psychological and social strains are exerting a limit on the extent of the role of the family in the care of older persons, with the result that the government, voluntary and private sectors, to one extent or another, have became more involved in the care of older people. When talking about the formal sector, two issues come to mind: community care and residential care. Today, a range of community services is being provided for older persons with the aim of giving these persons the opportunity to remain at their own home in the community. However, long-term residential care is still playing a part in the care spectrum of the elderly and long waiting lists of older people who wish to enter these homes show us that it will take a long time before residential care fades away. The challenge of this situation is therefore the continual improvement and progression of residential care. This research aims at exploring the possibility of introducing social work services in residential care as a way of contributing to this progression. This is to be done in a way that respects the older person's rights and that encourages the maintenance of a sense of self.