Gerontological Social Work and Community Care Practices

Gerontological social work occupies a critical nexus between individual well‐being, family dynamics and the broader community context in addressing the challenges of ageing. It encompasses assessment of complex social, psychological and material needs; coordination of health and social care resources; advocacy for older adults’ rights; and the promotion of social inclusion. Community care practices complement this by fostering local networks, peer support and innovations that enable older people to remain integrated in their neighbourhoods. Key emphases include person‐centred planning, empowerment through partnership with informal carers, culturally sensitive assessments and seamless navigation of multi‐sectoral services. Recent policy shifts towards integrated care models and social innovations—such as community‐based social innovation programmes—have underlined the importance of flexibility, equity and sustainability in service delivery. Emerging digital tools and tele-practice have begun to extend reach, yet persistent barriers in communication, resource allocation and professional boundaries demand ongoing attention. Together, gerontological social work and community care practices form a dynamic field aimed at enhancing quality of life, autonomy and social cohesion for ageing populations worldwide.

Research from Nature Portfolio

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Gerontological Social Work and Community Care Practices publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in gerontological social work and community care practices across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Gerontological social work: The specialised practice of social work focused on supporting older adults through assessment, advocacy and coordination of services.

Community‐based social innovation: Locally devised programmes that engage older residents in mutual support activities to enhance health, well‐being and social cohesion.

System navigation: The process by which older adults and practitioners move through complex networks of health and social care services to access appropriate support.

Gatekeeping: The role of care managers or social workers in determining eligibility and access to specific elder care services based on needs assessment and statutory criteria.

Person-centred care: An approach that prioritises older individuals’ preferences, life history and autonomy in the planning and delivery of support services.

References

1. CBSI as a Social Innovation to Promote the Health of Older People in Japan. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2021).
2. Disconnected relationships between primary care and community-based health and social services and system navigation for older adults: a qualitative descriptive study. BMC Primary Care (2020).
3. Lack of Coordination between Health Care and Social Care in Multi-Professional Teamwork - the Obstacle for Coherent Care of Older People Suffering from Multi-Morbidity. Journal of Population Ageing (2020).
4. Complex needs and ethical dilemmas—Care managers processing older clients to gerontological social work. International Journal of Social Welfare (2024).