Social work and aging: a review of the literature and how it is changing

Three related trends emerge from a review of the traditional social work journals, Social Casework, Social Work, and The Social Service Review, during the five year period from 1970 through 1974. Social workers begin the period with an essentially negative view of aging. They portray aging as a process of losses, regard the aged person as a precipitator of family crises, and focus on protective services. During the middle of the period, the writings show a more positive view of aging, posit the elderly persons as a functional role model for families, and stress supportive counseling services. At the end of the period, however, the diversity of the aging process, the elderly person's relationship to his family, and the delivery of services are recognized.