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University of Maine

For University’s of Maine’s BEL project, all junior level BSW students who successfully completed the Fall Semester skills lab course rotated through four selected agencies, including two aging-related sites, thereby exposing all BSW program students directly to older adults and geriatric practice. Four aging-related sites were used in total with each student rotating through an agency providing primarily macro practice services and another providing primarily micro practice services. Students were paired with another student (a “logmate”) who rotated through the other two aging-related agencies. Each week, students were required to write a reflective log and send it to the logmate as well as to their instructors. The logmate was required to comment on the log and therefore, had the opportunity to learn about and reflect on the other two agencies that were not part of his/her planned rotation. The logs were designed to address EPAS and Gero-Ed competencies. Students supplemented this experience by reading aging-related topics in books and articles and wrote on selected aging-related topics.

Courses that Included Experiential Activity:

  • Field Instruction

Gero Practice Behaviors:

  • Assess and address values and biases regarding aging.
  • Relate social work perspectives and related theories to practice with older adults (e.g., person-in environment, social justice).
  • Use empathy and sensitive interviewing skills to engage older clients in identifying their strengths and problems.
  • Adapt interviewing methods to potential sensory, language, and cognitive limitations of the older adult.
  • Establish rapport and maintain an effective working relationship with older adults and family members.
  • Use educational strategies to provide older persons and their families with information related to wellness and disease management (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease, end of life care).
  • Provide outreach to older adults and their families to ensure appropriate use of the service continuum.
  • Adapt organizational policies, procedures, and resources to facilitate the provision of services to diverse older adults and their family caregivers.
  • Include older adults in planning and designing programs.
  • Identify the availability of resources and resource systems for older adults and their families.