Aging Practice Tools

National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Task Force for Clinical Social Work Practice Standards is pleased to announce the attached draft entitled, "NASW Standards for Clinical Social Workers in Social Work Practice," is now available for public comment. draft offers guidance to clinical social workers in all clinical settings and serves as a benchmark for the services they provide.

 

The public comment period begins July 28 and ends September 15. The document is available for review at https://www.socialworkers.org/Practice/Clinical-Social-Work/Practice/clinical-social-work-standards-draft-forum2

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) is observed on June 15 each year with three goals:

• increasing awareness about elder abuse (which can include neglect, financial abuse or exploitation, and physical, sexual, or emotional–psychological abuse)
• fostering action by individuals, organizations, and communities to identify, prevent, and address elder abuse
• reaffirming our society’s commitment to the principle of justice for all

Join NASW in celebrating Older Americans Month (OAM) in May. Led by the Administration for Community Living (ACL) and currently in its 60th year, Older Americans Month acknowledges the contributions and achievements of older adults, highlights important trends, and strengthens our commitment to honoring older people in our communities. The 2023 theme, Aging Unbound, explores the diversity of aging experiences. It also invites us to challenge the dominant narrative on aging by seeking fulfillment as we age.

In December 2022, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule (CMS–4201–P) addressing a few parts of the Medicare program: Part C, or Medicare Advantage (MA); the Part D prescription drug benefit; and the Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). The proposed regulations, if finalized, will be implemented on January 1, 2024.

NASW submitted comments on the proposed rule in February 2023. The association’s comments addressed numerous topics, a few of which are summarized briefly in this Tips & Tools publication.

Every communication about aging has the potential to dismantle or perpetuate ageism. Read this blog, coauthored by NASW and the National Center to Reframe Aging, for tips to enhance your communication about aging in social work assessment, advocacy, and other outreach.

NASW is developing a task force for the revision of the 2013 Guidelines for Social Work Safety in the Workplace. The guidelines were created to establish safety measures and protocols for social workers within the workplace. Social workers utilize these guidelines as a resource to help create, develop, and assist communities, private and public agencies, local, state, and federal policymakers to create a safe working environment in areas where social workers are employed.