The aim of this essay is to approach the phenomenon “old age” in a theoretical and practical way as the situation is like in Germany and in Slovenia. What is also presented in the following is the contribution of social work with older people to this phenomenon. The important question which is tried to be answered throughout this essay is if there is a necessity for social work with older people as specialization in Germany as well as in Slovenia.
In the first chapter, it is tried to describe the phenomenon. In order to do so, it is necessary to have a look at demographic data and trends of aging, and the situation of care for the older people in these countries. The next step of this essay is to critically approach to theoretical Slovenian concepts and in the same time try to connect these theories to the above described practice of social work with older people in Germany and Slovenia. Throughout this chapter you are introduced to several theories in order to see a connection between the theoretical and practical part of this paper and reflect this relationship critically.
Table of Contents
1. The presentation of the phenomenon old age in Germany and in Slovenia (practical part)
1.1 Demographic data and trends of ageing
1.2 Care for older people
1.2.1 Long-term care
1.2.2 Homes for older people
1.2.3 Community work and results of an interview with a German social worker
2. Critical approach to theoretical concepts and practice of social work with older people in Germany and in Slovenia (theoretical part)
2.1 The importance of social work with older people as specialisation
2.2 The model of conceptualisation
2.3 The model of society levels
2.4 Long-term care
3. Conclusion
3.1 Summary
3.2 Own opinion based on experiences
Objectives and Topics
The essay aims to explore the phenomenon of "old age" by comparing theoretical and practical situations in Germany and Slovenia, specifically investigating the necessity of social work with older people as a distinct professional specialization.
- Demographic trends and aging statistics in Germany and Slovenia.
- Structures of long-term care, including institutional and community-based services.
- Critical analysis of social work theories, such as the model of conceptualisation and society levels.
- Qualitative insights from expert interviews regarding community-based interventions.
- Challenges in institutionalization versus the need for independent living support.
Excerpt from the Book
1.2.1 Long-term care
Before the situation of long-term care in both countries is explained, it is important to be clear what long-term care at its basis implies. Long-term care is described as a phenomenon that originally was recognized as a reaction to the demographic changes occurring all over the world. Therefore, it is not only a term describing a specific event, rather it stands for a real own system providing several services when help for a longer period of time is needed. (Mali, pp. 207 – 208) The NIH, National Institute on Ageing, differentiate three different forms of long-term care services, the home-based care, the community-based care and the facility-based care. The first one covers all services that take place at the person´s home and therefore sum up all daily activities that are necessaire for life. Amongst other things, this form of care can be divided in home health care, personal care and emergency response systems. Examples for community-based care are the help for transportation and services in senior centres and as the name implies, it happens in communities. The last service, the facility-based care, is a full-time help like nursing homes or assisted living facilities for affected people that are no longer able to live on their own. (NIHSeniorHealth, 2015)
Summary of Chapters
1. The presentation of the phenomenon old age in Germany and in Slovenia (practical part): Provides an empirical overview of demographic shifts and existing care structures, contrasting institutional dependency with the emergence of community-based needs.
2. Critical approach to theoretical concepts and practice of social work with older people in Germany and in Slovenia (theoretical part): Applies theoretical frameworks to current practices, arguing for the necessity of specialization in social work for the elderly.
3. Conclusion: Synthesizes findings by confirming the growing need for specialized social work and advocates for a shift from purely institutional care towards integrated community-based models.
Keywords
Social work, older people, Germany, Slovenia, demographic change, long-term care, community-based services, aging, institutional care, social specialization, model of conceptualisation, social support, independent living, gerontology, elderly care.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic paper?
The paper examines the phenomenon of old age in Germany and Slovenia, evaluating how social work addresses the needs of the elderly and whether a specialized focus on this demographic is necessary.
What are the central thematic areas covered?
Key topics include demographic aging trends, current long-term care systems, the role of social work as a specialization, and the implementation gap between theoretical models and real-world practice.
What is the core research question?
The essay seeks to determine if there is a necessity for social work with older people to be treated as a distinct professional specialization in both Germany and Slovenia.
Which scientific methods are utilized?
The research relies on a combination of literature analysis, comparative demographic data review, and a qualitative expert interview with a social worker focused on community-based services.
What does the main body discuss?
It details the current care landscapes, applies theoretical models like the "model of conceptualisation" and "model of society levels" to practice, and contrasts institutional settings with community-based initiatives.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
The work is characterized by terms such as demographic change, social work specialization, community-based care, institutional care, and gerontology.
How does the author view the current state of professional care in Slovenia?
The author notes that while long-term care is developing in Slovenia, the system remains heavily institutionalized and lacks the specialized community-based support structures compared to other nations.
What role do "community-based services" play according to the interview findings?
They are described as essential for maintaining the independence and dignity of older people, acting as a preventive measure that reduces social isolation, though they currently lack sufficient government funding and institutional status.
- Quote paper
- Bachelor of Arts Lea Gobel (Author), 2020, Theoretical and Practical Understanding of the Phenomenon "Old Age" and Social Work with Older People in Germany and in Slovenia, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1267945
