Social workers, help starts here

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Mind & Spirit

Kids & Families

Seniors & AGING

Caring for Aging Parents: How social workers can help

Do you worry about how you can balance caring for your children with caring for an aging parent? You are not alone.

With the numbers of older Americans quickly rising, many people are facing these and similar questions every day. Many people are caring for their children and their parents, while working full-time jobs. This is where social workers can help.

Working with families who need assistance finding adult day-care programs, dealing with the stress of care-giving, or figuring out financial challenges, social workers can point people in the right direction. By providing resources and helping older individuals understand the services available to them, social workers help clear up confusion and relieve stress.

Social workers also help aging individuals by:

  • Counseling seniors and their loved ones to help them maintain good mental health, relieve stress, and avoid anxiety and depression;
  • Assisting older individuals in preparing for doctors’ appointments;
  • Helping families plan ahead to identify care options, such as assisted living or long term-care;
  • Guiding seniors as they navigate the complex Medicare system (and other confusing health-related issues, like insurance);
  • Talking with families to find out if they need legal assistance or financial counseling;
  • Providing resources to help older individuals find the information and assistance they need.

Caring for aging parents can be a stressful and overwhelming. But it can also be a period of growth and opportunity when professional social workers, seniors and their loved ones, and communities come together to create a healthy and vital environment for seniors.

social worker, clipboard, small child sits on father's lap

Find a Social Worker

Recent Articles

Are You Grieving After Losing a Loved One to Suicide?

Are You Grieving After Losing a Loved One to Suicide?

The death of a loved one is difficult; losing someone to suicide can be especially challenging. If you are a survivor of suicide loss, you may be experiencing a range of emotions, including shock, disbelief, anger, guilt, and sadness. You may also have difficulty...

Are You Worried About Your Child’s Mental Health?

Are You Worried About Your Child’s Mental Health?

The mental health of children in the United States is declining, and many parents are worried and unsure of how to help their children. They might see their child struggling with anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges, and they don't know what to do....

5 Ways to Support LGBTQIA2S Youth

5 Ways to Support LGBTQIA2S Youth

According to a study by the Trevor Project, LGBTQIA2S+ youth are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts than their cisgender and heterosexual peers. They are also more likely to drop out of school, experience homelessness, and be victims...