Social work services for elderly persons with mental retardation: a case example

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Social Work
• Intellectual Disabilities

Background:

• The population of elderly individuals with mental retardation is increasing.
• This demographic is often overlooked within aged care and disability services.
• Social workers are likely to encounter these clients in various health and social service settings.

Observation:

• This paper examines a case study of an elderly person with mental retardation.
• It highlights the specific challenges faced by social workers.
• The focus is on providing health and residential care.

Findings:

• Social workers encounter multifaceted issues when serving older adults with mental retardation.
• Care provision requires addressing both age-related and disability-specific needs.
• Navigating community-based and institutional-based support systems presents difficulties.

Implications:

• There is a need for specialized training and resources for social workers.
• Improved inter-agency collaboration is essential for comprehensive care.
• Policy development should consider the unique needs of this vulnerable subgroup.