Cheers to Huffington Post for running this column from Ilaina Edison about the need for more social workers to serve America’s increasingly aging population. Edison called social workers the “unsung heroes” of the nation’s healthcare system.

Edison is senior vice president of operations for the Visiting Health Nurse Service of New York. One of the social workers she wrote about, National Association of Social Workers member Sherri Zabko, helped an 86-year-old client get affordable housing after living on the streets for years.

Zabko referred another client to a weight management program, enabling that woman to lose more than 100 and become more mobile.

 “I’m an advocate for people who don’t know how to go through the system,” Sherri said.  “I help people break through the obstacles that could keep them from getting things done and help them negotiate to get what they need.”

With the first Baby Boomers hitting 65 this year, Edison said the United States will need more social workers who specialize in geriatrics. The nation already needs another 60,000 to 70,000 social workers in this area, she said.

To learn more about how social workers help the elderly visit the National Association of Social Workers’ “Help Starts Here” Seniors & Aging Web pages by clicking here.