Ageing Population

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Sociology

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Nov 24, 2024

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How does the critical practice approach facilitate the identification and mitigation of systemic barriers faced by the ageing population in contemporary society?

1. Introduction The ageing population in Australia poses a range of complex difficulties, which need for the implementation of novel social work interventions. This essay explores the use of the critical practise approach, evaluating its effectiveness in identifying and addressing systemic obstacles encountered by older individuals in Australia. 2. Key Features of Ageing Population Australia's demographic transition towards an older population is a significant phenomenon that has garnered attention from policymakers, researchers, and social workers alike. This shift is accompanied by challenges such as ageism, limited healthcare access, social isolation, and financial constraints1. The societal perspective on ageing often leans towards a neoliberal view, emphasizing individual responsibility over systemic solutions (Asquith, 2009). However, the ageing population in Australia is not just about numbers; it's about the quality of life, social inclusion, and the active participation of older adults in society. Research indicates that Australia's ageing population has implications for the workforce, with a need to address both the challenges and opportunities it presents (Radford et al. , 2018). Furthermore, the economic implications of an ageing Australia have been a topic of discussion, especially concerning productivity, labor force, and fiscal outcomes (O’Loughlin, Kendig and Browning, 2017). Moreover, the ageing of societies worldwide has coincided with the marketisation of welfare, especially in countries experiencing economic austerity (Lloyd and Sullivan, 2018). Because of this, there is a greater focus on maintaining cost management in providing. The professional values of social work, on the other hand, place an emphasis on the promotion of the rights of service-users to person-centered care, with the goal of maximising service-users' levels of self-determination and control. The elderly population in Australia poses a number of complex problems, each of which must be comprehended in its whole and tackled using a variety of different strategies if they are to be solved successfully. The critical social work lens provides a viewpoint that acknowledges these issues as expressions of larger societal structures and power relations. This is an important contribution that the lens makes. 3. Social Work Interventions from Critical Perspective The ageing population in Australia presents unique challenges that require tailored social work interventions. A critical perspective in social work emphasizes the importance of understanding the broader societal structures and power dynamics that influence individual experiences (Lui et al. , 2011). This perspective is particularly relevant when addressing the

needs of the ageing population, as it allows for a more holistic understanding of the challenges they face. One of the primary concerns for the ageing population in Australia is the potential adverse impact on health and social systems (Harvey and Thurnwald, 2009). The projected cost of increasing proportions of the population in the over 70s category, coupled with potential chronic illnesses, poses significant challenges for governments and private insurers. In response, there's a push for older individuals to remain in the workforce longer (Harvey and Thurnwald, 2009). Social workers play a crucial role in facilitating this transition, ensuring that older adults have the necessary support and resources to continue working if they choose. Additionally, concerns of social alienation and isolation are brought about by a population that is becoming older. Social workers have the option of adopting a method called social inclusion, which places an emphasis on increasing older individuals' social involvement, civic engagement, and cultural awareness. When it comes to enhancing the quality of life of an ageing population, this strategy places a strong emphasis on the role that participation in one's community and feeling connected to one's peers may play. In addition, there is a growing need for specialised care and support services as the percentage of the population that is over the age of 65 continues to rise. Social workers play an essential part in the coordination of these services, ensuring that older individuals have access to the resources and assistance they need to age in a dignified and beautiful manner. 4. Benefits and Limitations of Critical Social Work Appraoches The critical social work approach, grounded in principles of social justice, empowerment, and human rights, offers a unique lens through which to view and address the challenges faced by the ageing population in Australia. 4.1 Benefits: Holistic Understanding: Critical social work provides a comprehensive understanding of the ageing population's challenges, recognizing them as manifestations of broader societal structures and power dynamics (Lui et al. , 2011). This perspective allows for a more in-depth exploration of issues such as ageism, social isolation, and economic challenges faced by older adults. Empowerment and Advocacy: The critical approach emphasizes empowerment, enabling older adults to have a voice in decisions affecting their lives (Phillipson and Ray, 2016). This is particularly important in a society where older individuals might feel marginalized or overlooked. Challenging Dominant Narratives: Critical social work challenges the neoliberal restructuring of Australia's health and welfare systems (McDermott, 2022). By questioning

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dominant narratives, social workers can advocate for policies that genuinely address the needs of the ageing population. Promotion of Social Inclusion: Social exclusion has been identified as a significant issue for older Australians4. A critical approach emphasizes social inclusion, ensuring that older adults are actively engaged in their communities and have access to necessary resources. 4.2 Limitations: Neoliberal Challenges: Despite the critical approach's emphasis on social justice and empowerment, the broader neoliberal context in which social workers operate can pose challenges. The neoliberal values of individual responsibility can sometimes overshadow systemic solutions, making it challenging to implement broader societal changes (Zilberstein, 2021). Resource Constraints: While the critical approach emphasizes the importance of providing comprehensive support to the ageing population, resource constraints can limit the ability to deliver these services effectively. Potential for Conflict: The critical approach often involves challenging established power structures and dominant narratives. This can lead to conflicts with policymakers or other stakeholders who might have different views on how to address the challenges faced by the ageing population (McDermott, 2022). Complexity of Issues: The ageing population in Australia faces a myriad of challenges, from health concerns to economic constraints. The critical approach, while comprehensive, might sometimes struggle to address all these issues simultaneously due to their complexity. While the critical social work approach offers numerous benefits in addressing the challenges faced by the ageing population in Australia, it also comes with its set of limitations. However, by recognizing these limitations and continuously striving for improvement, social workers can effectively advocate for and support the ageing population in Australia. 5. Social Work Ethics and Values in Relation to Ageing Population in Austraila The morals and principles that guide social work are of the utmost importance, particularly when considering how to meet the requirements of an increasingly elderly population in Australia. The negative effects of population ageing on civilizations across the globe are often exaggerated, and the elderly are frequently depicted as a drain on available resources. This view has resulted in difficulties for those who operate in social work and services related to social care. There is a movement afoot in Australia advocating for more openness in the financing of residential care services, improved service quality, and expanded options for those who utilise the services. The fact that the market system in residential care so often

fails to provide the anticipated results reveals a fundamental fault in the structure of that system. Moreover, the ageing population in Australia faces issues of social exclusion (Lui et al. , 2011). Social workers play a pivotal role in addressing these issues by adopting a social inclusion approach, which focuses on economic deprivation, cumulative disadvantages, social participation, civic engagement, and cultural recognition. Furthermore, the global phenomenon of societal ageing has coincided with the marketisation of welfare, especially in countries experiencing economic austerity. This has led to an emphasis on cost control in provision. However, professional values in social work emphasize the promotion of the rights of service-users to person-centred care, maximizing their self-determination and control (Lloyd and Sullivan, 2018). This creates a dichotomy where practitioners face ethical and professional dilemmas in balancing cost control with the provision of quality care. Inequalities among older people are especially pertinent to the delivery of social care services owing to the requirements of those who are at a socioeconomic disadvantage 1. It is possible to draw parallels between the circumstances in Australia1 and those in the United Kingdom, where, for example, there is a tendency towards increased levels of inequality and growing levels of poverty among the least well-off. For older people, the amount of money they get through pensions, for instance, is a major factor in determining their likelihood of living in poverty in their later years. If people are expected to pay for social services out of their own pockets, the probability of their slipping into poverty grows as their requirements become more severe. Organisations that represent older people all around the globe, including those in Australia, have voiced their support for modifications to the support system, an increase in the degree of assistance, and alterations to the delivery of services. For instance, in the UK, a state of crisis exists in social care provision, with no evident sign of abating (Lloyd and Sullivan, 2018). Such challenges highlight the need for social workers to be equipped with the right values and ethics to navigate the complexities of providing care to the ageing population. The ethics and values of social work play a crucial role in addressing the challenges faced by the ageing population in Australia. Social workers must strike a balance between cost control and the provision of quality care, ensuring that the rights and needs of older individuals are met. As the ageing population continues to grow, it's imperative for social work professionals to be equipped with the right knowledge, skills, and ethical framework to provide the best possible care. 6. Conclusion The critical practice approach in social work provides a robust framework to address the systemic challenges faced by Australia's ageing population. By emphasizing societal structures and advocating for social justice, it aligns seamlessly with the core ethics and values of the social work profession.

References Asquith, N. (2009) 'Positive ageing, neoliberalism and Australian sociology', Journal of Sociology, 45(3), pp. 255-269. Harvey, P. W. and Thurnwald, I. (2009) 'Ageing well, ageing productively: The essential contribution of Australia’s ageing population to the social and economic prosperity of the nation', Health Sociology Review, 18(4), pp. 379-386. Lloyd, L. and Sullivan, M.-P. 2018. Ageing, ethics and social welfare: contemporary social work and social care practices with older people. Taylor & Francis. Lui, C.-W., Warburton, J., Winterton, R. and Bartlett, H. (2011) 'Critical reflections on a social inclusion approach for an ageing Australia', Australian Social Work, 64(3), pp. 266-282. McDermott, F. 2022. Australian Social Work: Looking Back and Looking Ahead. Taylor & Francis. O’Loughlin, K., Kendig, H. and Browning, C. (2017) 'Challenges and opportunities for an ageing Australia', Ageing in Australia: Challenges and opportunities , pp. 1-10. Phillipson, C. and Ray, M. (2016) 'Ageing in urban environments: Challenges and opportunities for a critical social work practice', Social Work and the City: Urban Themes in 21st-Century Social Work , pp. 151-171. Radford, K., Chapman, G., Bainbridge, H. T. and Halvorsen, B. (2018) 'The ageing population in Australia: Implications for the workforce', Work and Identity: Contemporary Perspectives on Workplace Diversity , pp. 39-54. Zilberstein, K. (2021) 'Neoliberalism in clinical social work practice: the benefits and limitations of embedded ideals of individualism and resiliency', Critical and Radical Social Work, 9(3), pp. 339-352.

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