Assessment, support and care-taking: gerontological social work practices and knowledge

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to identify, analyse and interpret key practices and knowledge in gerontological social work. This article explores social work practices and knowledge in the context of gerontological rehabilitation using data gathered through thematic and dialogical interviews with seven social workers. In those interviews, social workers described their daily work with older adults. Using frame analysis, the data revealed assessment, support and care-taking frames which included many practices. The social work knowledge consist of factual, theoretical, procedural and practical and personal knowledge. Furthermore, clients’ personal knowledge is essential in social work practices of every kind. The study findings identify the importance of support and care-taking practices in gerontological rehabilitation, as well as a need for extensive social work knowledge.