Discussion 1: The Aging Process

As individuals grow older, they experience biological changes, but how they experience these changes varies considerably. Senescence, or the process of aging, "affects different people, and various parts of the body, at different rates" (Zastrow&Kirst-Ashman, 2016, p. 658).

What factors affect the aging process? Why do some individuals appear to age faster than others? In this Discussion you address these questions and consider how, you, as a social worker, might apply your understanding of the aging process to your work with older clients.

To prepare for this Discussion, read "Working With the Aging: The Case of Francine" in Social Work Case Studies: Foundation Year.

Post a Discussion in which you:

• Apply your understanding of the aging process to Francine's case. How might Francine's environment have influenced her aging process? How might you, as Francine's social worker, apply your knowledge of the aging process to her case?

• Identify an additional strategy you might use to apply your knowledge of the aging process to social work practice with older clients in general. Explain why you would use the strategy.

Read a selection of your colleagues' posts.

Respond to at least two colleague's post in one of the following ways:

• From a strength's perspective, critique your colleague's approach to addressing Francine's case. Provide support for your critique.

• Critique your colleague's strategy for applying knowledge of the aging process to work with older clients. Discuss how cultural, ethnic, and societal influences might affect the application of this strategy.

Learning Resources

Note: To access this week's required library resources, please click on the link to the Course Readings List, found in the Course Materials section of your Syllabus.

Required Readings

Zastrow, C. H., &Kirst-Ashman, K. K. (2016).Understanding human behavior and the social environment (10th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.

• Chapter 1, "Introduction to human behavior and the social environment: The strengths perspective" (pp. 13)
• Chapter 14, "Biological Aspects of Later Adulthood" (pp. 654-684)

Plummer, S. -B., Makris, S., &Brocksen, S. M. (Eds.). (2014). Social work case studies: Foundation year.Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing.[Vital Source e-reader].

• "Working With the Aging: The Case of Francine" (pp. 39-41)

Note: This text is available as an eBook (electronic book). It will be provided to you via an email from the Walden University book store.

Bosma, H., Johnston, M., Cadell, S., Wainwright, W., Abernethy, N., Feron, A., & ... Nelson, F. (2010).Creating social work competencies for practice in hospice palliative care.Palliative Medicine, 24(1), 79-87.

Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

Cagle, J. G., & Kovacs, P. J. (2009).Education: A complex and empowering social work intervention at the end of life.Health & Social Work, 34(1), 17-27.

Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Dosser, I., & Kennedy, C. (2012).Family carers' experiences of support at the end of life: Carers' and health professionals' views.International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 18(10), 491-497.

Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Reese, D. J. (2011).Interdisciplinary perceptions of the social work role in hospice: Building upon the classic Kulys and Davis study.Journal of Social Work in End-of-Life & Palliative Care, 7(4), 383-406.

Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Optional Resources

Use the link below to access the MSW home page, which provides resources for your social work program.

MSW home page

Guindon, S., &Cappeliez, P. (2010).Contributions of psychological well-being and social support to an integrative model of subjective health in later adulthood.Ageing International, 35(1), 38-60.

Discussion 2

Gender identity-identifying oneself as male or female-is a critical component of an individual's life-span development. Misconceptions and stereotypes abound with regard to gender, and you may bring personal misconceptions and stereotypes to your work with clients.

As you read the resources this week, what concepts seem especially relevant to you as a social worker? Are you able to identify any personal misunderstandings about the formation of gender identity? What strategies might you use to apply your new understanding to social work practice?Post a Discussion that includes the following:

• A new understanding you have gained in the resources about gender identity
• An explanation of how individuals' gender identity affects their development through young and middle adulthood
• A strategy you might use to apply your understanding of gender identity development to social work practice

Learning Resources

Note: To access this week's required library resources, please click on the link to the Course Readings List, found in the Course Materials section of your Syllabus.

Required Readings

Brewster, M. E., &Moradi, B. (2010).Personal, relational and community aspects of bisexual identity in emerging, early and middle adult cohorts.Journal of Bisexuality, 10(4), 404-428.

Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Burri, A., Cherkas, L., Spector, T., &Rahman, Q. (2011). Genetic and environmental influences on female sexual orientation, childhood gender typicality and adult gender identity. PloS ONE, 6(7), 1-8

Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Maylor, E. A., Reimers, S., Choi, J., Collaer, M. L., Peters, M., & Silverman, I. (2007). Gender and sexual orientationdifferences in cognition across adulthood: Age is kinder to women than to men regardless of sexualorientation. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 36(2), 235-249.

Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Nuttbrock, L. A., Bockting, W. O., Hwahng, S., Rosenblum, A., Mason, M., Macri, M., & Becker, J. (2009). Gender identity affirmation among male-to-female transgender persons: A life course analysis across types of relationships and cultural/lifestyle factors.Sexual & Relationship Therapy, 24(2), 108-125

Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Pleak, R. R. (2009). Formation of transgender Identities in adolescence.Journal of Gay & Lesbian Mental Health, 13(4), 282-291.

Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Rosario, M., Schrimshaw, E. W., & Hunter, J. (2011).Different patterns of sexual identity development over time: Implications for the psychological adjustment of lesbian, gay, and bisexual youths.Journal of Sex Research, 48(1), 3-15.

Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Rose, S. M., &Zand, D. (2002).Lesbian dating and courtship from young adulthood to midlife.Journal of Lesbian Studies, 6(1), 85-109.

Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Optional Resources

Use the link below to access the MSW home page, which provides resources for your social work program.