Abstract
The purpose of this study is to identify whether there is a need to integrate aging focused curriculum in graduate social work programs. Research questions whether graduate social work students gain competency in aging through the social work required curriculum. The projected rise in population of people aged 65 and older raises questions about social and economic disparities faced by the older population. The participants of this study are graduate social work students from four accredited Kansas Universities. The participants will be asked to participate in an evaluative survey related to the required curriculum in the social work program and the programs focus on aging. This study as implications for policy changes that will include the integration of aging focused required material, and to bring about awareness of the need to increased social workers competency in aging practice.
Introduction
The United States is experiencing a demographic shift. The number of people aged 65 and older is anticipated to double by the year 2030, increasing to 70 million. This increasing population of older adults will create an extraordinary demand for aging-related services, policies, and programs ("Aging"). As this …show more content…
This population shift reflects significant changes in the aging population of America. The baby boomer population represents the largest generation of Americans (Silva, 2016), reaching 46 million in 2014 (Johnson & Parnell, 2016). The 65-year-old Baby Boomer population will continue to grow over the next 20 years at the rate of 8,000 people per day, and over the next quarter century, the projected population growth rate for older adults is expected to outpace
The purpose of this study is to identify whether there is a need to integrate aging focused curriculum in graduate social work programs. Research questions whether graduate social work students gain competency in aging through the social work required curriculum. The projected rise in population of people aged 65 and older raises questions about social and economic disparities faced by the older population. The participants of this study are graduate social work students from four accredited Kansas Universities. The participants will be asked to participate in an evaluative survey related to the required curriculum in the social work program and the programs focus on aging. This study as implications for policy changes that will include the integration of aging focused required material, and to bring about awareness of the need to increased social workers competency in aging practice.
Introduction
The United States is experiencing a demographic shift. The number of people aged 65 and older is anticipated to double by the year 2030, increasing to 70 million. This increasing population of older adults will create an extraordinary demand for aging-related services, policies, and programs ("Aging"). As this …show more content…
This population shift reflects significant changes in the aging population of America. The baby boomer population represents the largest generation of Americans (Silva, 2016), reaching 46 million in 2014 (Johnson & Parnell, 2016). The 65-year-old Baby Boomer population will continue to grow over the next 20 years at the rate of 8,000 people per day, and over the next quarter century, the projected population growth rate for older adults is expected to outpace