The role of social worker in Elderly care

Abstract

Elderly care is becoming a complex problem in modern society. Due to growing population of the elders, it is difficult to take care of them by their own children. Therefore in this context, the government has to take responsibility for the well being of them. The objective of this study was to analyze the role of social workers in elderly care selecting two elderly care institutions in Kegalle and Galla districts. I applied survey method and forwarded questionnaire and held interviews with focus group discussions. In addition, I asked some questions from social workers and their input for this study was very valuable. In fact, as social workers, they had to look after their needs and necessities of the elders, to change the attitude of the elders and to change their mind set. Social workers did their role in relation to above elder care institutions. In this context the social workers did their duty as follows, i.e. The responsibility of the social worker is how to protect the elders within the community and family,to guide and train the persons who are protecting the elders,to find out how to work with elders and how to keep an interpersonal relationship with elders. The role of the social worker is to give advice how to spend a successful life by the elders. The duty of the social worker is to inform to the society about the value of the elders. It is necessary to provide employment opportunity for the elders. Despite their valuable services on behalf of the elders, I believed that the government should provide some facilities to encourage their activities.