Wanted: Social Workers for the Elderly
Social work graduate student Yesica Sanchez interned at the Oak Park Arms retirement community. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Tribune.
Cheers to the Chicago Tribune for running this special advertising section on social workers who work with the elderly.
Social work is expected to be one of the fastest growing careers in the United States and the demand for social workers who work with the elderly is expected to be in special demand as the nation’s Baby Boomers age.
“I had worked with kids and decided to challenge myself and work with a different population in case management for seniors,” said Yesica Sanchez, who will earn a master’s degree in social work from Dominican University this month. “I was surprised to find out I loved working with seniors. When it came to graduate school I knew I wanted to continue that path.
Update: The Chicago Tribune did another article on Sanchez that highlights the close bonds she formed at Oat Park, particularly with 91-year-old John Heflin. To read that article and watch an accompanying video click here.
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It is wonderful to work with the elderly….they really are wise. Many years ago as a nursing student my instructor was one of the first geriatric specialists…I was too young then to appreciate her love for it.
I am now also a social worker…my specialty in nursing is maternal and child…in social work it is chronic illness with a focus on the renal failure patient.
Each population is so unique ….but they are all part of a family of many different ages.
I wish the use of social workers for handling power of attorney and as executors was more routine. I got into an enormous power struggle with my mother’s boyfriend when she became ill, and the family acted like vultures. All the lawyers I consulted were incompetent and ripped me off. The Social Worker would have been impartial and would have made the best decisions based on my mother’s true wishes. I would have gladly paid the social worker out-of-pocket. I guess the lawyers will claim this is a “conflict of interest,” but nothing is further from the truth. The elderly should have the option of appointing a social worker of their choice to be their POA and executor. Select one ahead of time.
need help for daily chores