Geriatric Social Work practice focuses on the application of social work theory and methods to study and help older adults to solve bio-psycho-social–(spiritual) problems (needs) associated with ageing process.

1. Geriatric Social Work
in the Context of
Youth Migration and Population Ageing
Dr Vishal M.V.
(MSW, MA, M. Phil, Ph.D)
Medical Social Worker
Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology
(An Institution of National Importance, Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India)
Geriatric Social Work - Dr VISHAL M V Jan_24
24 Jan 2024

2. Geriatric social work Practice
• Case Work
• Group Work
• Community
Organization
• Social
Action
• Welfare
Administrati
on
• Social Work
Research
Geriatric Social Work practice focuses on the application of social work theory and
methods to study and help older adults to solve bio-psycho-social–(spiritual)
problems (needs) associated with ageing process.
Service
Settings
Residential
Care
Welfare
Administration
Hospices
Palliative Care
Community
Health Care
Hospitals
Out Patient
and In Patient
Day time
Health Care
Geriatric Social Work - Dr VISHAL M V
To increases
Quality of Life
of
Older Adults
Specific challenges of the aging
process
Promoting Independence,
Autonomy, and dignity in later
life.
Inclusive

3. Geriatric Social Work Assessment and Intervention
Bio-Psycho-Social-Spiritual
Bio
Psycho
Social
Spiritual
Optimum
Quality of Life/
Well-being
Bio
Spiritual
Social
Psycho
Geriatric Social Work - Dr VISHAL M V_2024
Quality of life (QoL) won’t work if any domain
fails…

4. Identification of needs and Social Work intervention
Geriatric Social Work - Dr VISHAL M V
Finding
Needs
Finding
Resources
Social Work
Intervention/s
Outcome
Meeting Needs and Resources of the Client; Means Social Work Methods
Theoretical Approaches
1.System Perspective
2.Person in
Environment (
Person in
environment press)
3.Strengths
Perspective

5. Ageing in India and Kerala
India
The number of
people aged 60
and above will
increase from
149 (10.5%)
million in 2022
to 347 (20.8%)
million in 2050,
Reference: UNFPA,2023
The state's elderly
population share in
2021 was 16.5%.
About 22.8% of Kerala's
population will be senior
citizens by 2036
Older Adults in
India,2011
Older Adults in Kerala,2021

6. Demographic Transition and Ageing Population
Geriatric Social Work - Dr VISHAL M V

7. Characteristics of Indian Older Adult's Population
Life
Expectancy
India 70 Years
Kerala:
80 Years
Feminization
Ruralized
Poverty
Health
Problems
Disability
Inadequate
Social
Security
(Dependency)
Geriatric Social Work - Dr VISHAL M V

8. Geriatric Social Work - Dr VISHAL M V
Youth Migration: Trends
Contractual Migration to
Gulf counties;
Beneficial
Permanent migration to
English Speaking Countries; US/
Canda, New Zeeland, Australia, UK
etc.
Interstate Migration:
Permanent and Work
Students Migration
In US, Canda, Australia,
New Zealand:
2012 2017-2018 2018-2019 2019-2021
400000 517998 586337 750365
400000
517998
586337
750365
0
100000
200000
300000
400000
500000
600000
700000
800000
It is estimated 1.34
crore NRIs live in 210
countries. Of these,
88.8 lakh overseas
Indians live in six
Gulf nations. (Ministry of

9. Geriatric Social Work – Scope
An opportunity !
Addressing Problem:
• Micro –level
• Mezzo - Level
• Macro -Level
Geriatric Social Work - Dr VISHAL M V
As of now no actual data available in our hand
We should conduct study to find out the
magnitude of the problem
We should device programs and policies
accordingly

10. Impact of Youth Migration
It will take some time to come to light about its mass impact…
Geriatric Social Work - Dr VISHAL M V
Micro
• Health
• Emotional supports
• Caregiving, Care homes
• Initiatives for engagements
• Living arrangement
Mezzo
• Community level welfare initiative
• Finding alternative living arrangement
• Finding Vocational avenues
• Safety and security
Macro
• Welfare progrm
• Initiations of new programs and social
security measures
Individual
Community
Whole
Society

11. Important Challenges of the Older Adults of the
Migrated Youth
•To be the digital older adults
•Being in Empty-nest
•Need of paid caregiving
•Vulnerable to safety issues
•Emotional Disturbance
•Selective abandonment (
affects male )
•Relocation to other countries
Geriatric Social Work - Dr VISHAL M V

12. Scope of Social Work Practice
Social Work practice always start with research!
• Finding intervention areas
• Specializing Social Work services
• Social Work Curriculum development
1. Specialization
2. Therapeutic interventions
3. Field Work Experience
4. Clubbing theory and practice
Geriatric Social Work - Dr VISHAL M V
• Social Work initiative- Social
Enterprises : Entrepreneurial
Ventures
• Development and management of
Social Work Centers
• Work with Government, NGOs (
National and International
agencies)
• Independent Social Work Practice

13. Geriatric Social Work: Promoting Happy Ageing
Happy
Ageing
Social
Defense
Social
Support
Using
Strengths
Economic
Freedom
(Vocational
Opportunities )
Welfare
Policies
and
Programs
Health
(Mental
Health)
“Making Older Adults
Happy with the
present condition and
prepare for facing the
new challenges”
Geriatric Social Work - Dr VISHAL M V

14. Thank you.
Geriatric Social Work - Dr VISHAL M V