BJSW Advance Access published online on February 9, 2009
British Journal of Social Work, doi:10.1093/bjsw/bcp004
The Age of Opportunity? Revisiting Assumptions about the Life-Long Learning Opportunities of Older People Using Social Care Services
Trish is a senior lecturer in social work. She has worked extensively with older people in statutory services, mainly in a management capacity, and is currently Chair of Age Concern in Greenwich. She is also on the National Executive of the Association for Education and Ageing. Trish has published widely in the area of leadership and management and has research interests in the life-long learning in older people, widening participation in social work education and use of the arts in learning and teaching.
Correspondence to Trish Hafford-Letchfield, MA, AASW, PLTHE, CQSW, Department of Mental Health and Social Work, Middlesex University, Archway Campus, Highgate Hill, London N19 5LW, UK. E-mail: p.hafford-letchfield{at}mdx.ac.uk
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Abstract |
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Shifting national policy in the UK emphasizes choice, independence and social inclusion for older people using social care services through the promotion of healthy, active lifestyles and increasing user involvement (Department of Health, 2006). Older people are a diverse population. Their definition of a ‘life worth living’ and support necessary to achieve this are cited as paramount within public policy formation. Simultaneously, older people coming into contact with social work are primarily conceptualized as ‘a challenge’ within the current social, economic and political environment, in which ageing is perceived as a time of difficulty and loss ultimately leading to increased structured dependency (Townsend, 2006). This paper makes links between discourses on life-long learning within public policy with those in social care. Both are concerned with increasing participation, citizenship and social justice for older people. It highlights contradictions between aspirations towards life-long learning derived from Freirean approaches seeking to promote ‘active ageing’ with negative political rhetoric about the burden of ageing and practice of managed care. Social workers play an important part in facilitating learning opportunities within their relationships with older people. Where and how these might be used to promote more inclusive strategies and approaches within practice for the engagement and further emancipation of service users is explored.
Keywords: Older people, lifelong learning, discourse, social care, active ageing, empowerment, participation