Maintaining the Self-Determination of Older Adults While Helping Families Navigate Changing Support Needs
Families often experience tension and conflict when the capabilities and social roles of an older family member change. Balancing competing expectations and ethical responsibilities in such situations presents significant challenges for social workers and other professionals. This practice-focused, interactive workshop will delve into how social workers and other professionals can support families while promoting the self-determination of older family members. A gerontological care coordinator and an elder law attorney who practice collaboratively will address person-driven, family-focused assessment of and interventions to address common challenges such as changes in an older adult’s condition, abilities, and capacity; potential and actual elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation as family members assume decision-making roles for older adults; and education of families regarding the concerns, conditions, and goals of older members.
