A feminist model of family care: practice and policy directions

Using a feminist perspective, this article examines women's experiences in caring for older family members with chronic illnesses or disabilities. Central to this analysis are the concepts of the social construction of gender-based inequities in caring, the interconnections between generations of women as givers and receivers of care, and variations in family care by gender, race, ethnicity, social class and sexual orientation. The authors critique current practice interventions and policies and purpose models for the elimination of gender-based inequities in caregiving and the provision of caregiver choice and empowerment for women and men, including feminist models of practice with women caregivers and economic and long-term care supports.     

Towards an evaluation of a business school graduate programme

An evaluation research methodology, which has been validated in a previous study, and which was developed to be both scientifically defensible and feasible from a practical point of view, is described. This involves collecting course participants' judgements about the effects of the course, and taking steps to ensure that the process by which the participants arrive at these judgements is sound. The application of this methodology to a course in business administration revealed the following effects or consequences: (1) Access to and progress in successful careers; (2) Flexibility and mobility in careers; (3) Ability to take overall view of problems; (4) Personal confidence; (5) Awareness of own aspirations and career fit; (6) Frustration from unused skills and unfulfilled expectations; (7) High salaries; (8) General reasoning and problem solving ability; (9) Economic/commercial understanding; (10) Understanding of organisation and human behaviour; (11) Useful work, career and personal contacts; (12) Social skills.     

The Complexities of Elder Homelessness,a Shifting Political Landscape and Emerging Community Responses

Despite their growing numbers, homeless older adults remain largely invisible in society and there has been a pervasive lack of public focus on elder homelessness. In this article, we seek to shine light on this forgotten population and deepen understanding of difficult challenges they confront in regaining housing security. We also examine the shifting political climate regarding homelessness, particularly the enactment and subsequent reauthorizations of the McKinney–Vento Homeless Assistance Act, and how these shifts are influencing community responses to elder homelessness. Finally, future challenges and policy directions for breaking the cycle of elder homelessness in the U.S. are discussed.     

Aging Well at Home: Evaluation of a Neighborhood-based Pilot Project to “Put Connection Back into Community”

There is growing interest, in the United States and globally, to transform communities to become more aging friendly. However, the majority of emerging initiatives lack a formal evaluation component, limiting our understanding of their effectiveness and the ability to replicate them. This study is an evaluation of a pilot project, the Aging Well at Home (AWAH) Program, which aimed to “put connection back into community” to support the psychological well-being of urban seniors who were aging in place. We examined AWAH's effect on stress, loneliness, and depression through interviews with 33 seniors at enrollment and at 9 months later. Findings revealed a significant decline in participants’ perceived stress (p < .001); however, AWAH was less successful in lessening loneliness (p < .09) and was not associated with any change in depression (p > .33). In self-assessments, the majority of participants reported a greater sense of self-efficacy and social connection as a result of AWAH participation. The study offers preliminary evidence of the utility of a neighborhood approach to improving older adults’ quality of life.     

Navigating Dual Relationships in Rural Communities

The literature examining dual relationships in rural communities is limited, and existing ethical guidelines lack guidelines about how to navigate these complex relationships. This study uses grounded theory to explore rural therapists' perceptions of dual relationship issues, the perceived impact of minority and/or religious affiliation on the likelihood of dual relationships, and the ways rural therapists handle inevitable dual relationship situations. All of the therapists who participated in the study practiced in small communities and encountered dual relationship situations with regularity. The overarching theme that emerged from the data was that of using professional judgment in engaging in the relationship, despite the fact that impairment of professional judgment is the main objection to dual relationships. This overall theme contained three areas where participants felt they most needed to use their judgment: the level of benefit or detriment to the client, the context, and the nature of the dual relationship. Surprisingly, supervision and/or consultation were not mentioned by the participants as strategies for handling dual relationships. The results of this study are compared with established ethical decision‐making models, and implications for the ethical guidelines and appropriate ethical training are suggested.     

Improving health care delivery to aging adults with disabilities: social work with dual eligibles in a climate of health care reform

Adults aging with disabilities comprise a diverse group. In this article, we identify the prevalence and characteristics of this target population, focusing on adults who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. We articulate challenges in the delivery of health, social, and support services to adults aging with disabilities, particularly how existing health care policy and financing contributes to fragmentation of care. Finally, we identify opportunities for social workers to advocate for and promote system improvements in the delivery of care for aging adults with disabilities in the current climate of health care reform.