What is Geriatric Social Work?

As our population ages, the demand for specialized care and support for the elderly continues to grow. Geriatric social work, a vital branch of the social work profession, is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for older adults. Serving as advocates and counselors, geriatric social workers play a crucial role in addressing the complex emotional, social and health needs of an aging population. This specialized field intertwines compassionate care with expert knowledge, ensuring that the unique challenges faced by the elderly are met with understanding and skill.

Read on to learn more about the roles of geriatric social workers, the job outlook in the field and the skills and qualifications you'll need to advance your career.

Geriatric social workers provide support for senior citizens, their families and caregivers. By fulfilling the responsibilities discussed below, they navigate the overlapping areas of emotional support, healthcare coordination and advocacy to improve the lives of their clients.

Senior citizens face unique mental, physical and social challenges. Each one requires a distinct level of care based on individual needs. To tailor their services, social workers may conduct the following evaluations:¹

• Functional status assessment considers a person’s ability to perform activities necessary to live independently, such as feeding, dressing, toileting and doing household work
• Physical health assessment examines common areas of physical problems, including vision, hearing and balance
• Polypharmacy assessment analyzes the different medications an older adult might be taking, with the goal of identifying potential side effects caused by specific medications, as well as drug-to-drug and drug-disease interactions
• Cognitive assessment tests psychological well-being, aiming to reveal mental health problems such as dementia

After conducting each assessment, geriatric social workers analyze their findings to create personalized plans of care.¹ For example, if a polypharmacy assessment shows that a client takes multiple medications, the social worker can document the name, instructions, prescribed dose and schedule for each drug. This approach helps ensure accurate medication management tailored to the client’s specific health needs.

A geriatric social worker makes sure that clients have access to community resources that can improve the quality of their lives. For example:²

• Meals on Wheels: a national program that offers nutritious meals and social support to older people who live alone and can’t prepare food on their own
• Eldercare Locator: a free public service that helps older adults find local health insurance and benefits, elder rights, transportation and housing resources
• Programs for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE): a collection of programs for older adults who need nursing care in their own homes

Geriatric social workers excel at forging deep connections with seniors, lending an empathetic ear and guiding them through the complexities of their personal challenges. They are counselors and confidants, offering therapeutic interventions to address mental health issues prevalent among the elderly, such as dementia, anxiety and depression. These interventions are tailored to respect the unique experiences of aging people, fostering resilience and well-being.

Their role extends beyond the individual. Geriatric social workers provide support for family members, as well, educating them on the physical and emotional transitions associated with aging.³ With this knowledge, families are better equipped to understand and compassionately support their loved ones. This dual approach of direct counseling and family education ensures a network of understanding and care, central to coping with and embracing the journey of aging.

As staunch defenders in the arena of senior advocacy, geriatric social workers tirelessly safeguard the welfare of older adults who may otherwise be susceptible to neglect or exploitation. Their mission goes beyond mere representation; they actively promote and protect the rights and interests of an aging population, guaranteeing their voices are heard in a society they have helped to shape.

In their advocacy, geriatric social workers are dedicated to ensuring that seniors have comprehensive access to essential resources, services and support systems that facilitate a dignified and comfortable life. They commit to a broader, community-focused approach by educating the public about the unique needs of the elderly and pushing for systemic change. In collaboration with government agencies, they strive to influence aging-related policies, ensuring they reflect the best interests of the seniors they champion.⁴ This holistic advocacy by geriatric social workers is crucial in building a society that honors and nurtures its aging members.

Throughout your geriatric social work career, your responsibilities may vary depending on where you’re employed:^3,5

• In hospitals and other healthcare settings, geriatric social workers coordinate the complex care needs of older adults, serving as a liaison between medical professionals, occupational or physical therapists, the patient and their families, and often facilitating discharge planning and transitions to appropriate care facilities
• At Continuing-Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs), geriatric social workers provide a continuity of care that adapts to the evolving needs of residents, from independent living to higher levels of support, ensuring a seamless transition within the community's range of services
• In assisted living facilities, geriatric social workers help residents maintain their highest level of independence, providing counseling and social activities while aiding in the management of day-to-day healthcare needs
• Nursing homes rely on geriatric social workers to advocate for residents' rights, provide emotional support and develop care plans that enhance the quality of life for individuals requiring round-the-clock care
• Within social services agencies, geriatric social workers develop and implement programs tailored to senior needs, offer community resources education and work on policy development that affects the wellbeing of the elderly
• Senior centers benefit from geriatric social workers who encourage active aging by facilitating wellness programs, educational opportunities and creating an inclusive social environment that fosters a sense of community
• For older adults living in their homes, geriatric social workers make home visits to assess safety, provide counseling, connect clients with community resources and often offer guidance to family caregivers to support sustained independent living

In the United States, geriatric social workers must have at least a bachelor’s degree. If you want to stand out as a clear hiring choice, you’ll do well to obtain a Master of Social Work, pursue relevant continuing education and acquire additional professional certifications.⁶

One of the strongest certifications for geriatric social workers is the gerontology and palliative care certification, which reflects specialized knowledge and your readiness to help senior clients navigate serious illnesses, difficult decisions about treatment options, end-of-life planning and more.

Key skills you'll need include:⁷

• The ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Strong written and oral communication proficiency
• Empathy and patience in dealing with older adults
• The ability to counsel elderly clients and help them manage late-life crises 

According to the National Library of Medicine, life expectancy has been increasing globally. As a result, the population of older adults has grown.¹ This growth has made geriatric social work more important than ever, as it supports our elderly population in several important ways.

Geriatric social workers serve a pivotal function by focusing on the all-encompassing wellbeing of older adults. Beyond just managing medications to maintain good health—verifying correct dosages and timely administration—they are a lifeline for facilitating personal care and day-to-day activities. From helping with bathing and ensuring safe transitions to and from bed to assisting with meals, these professionals strive to enable seniors to live with dignity and as much independence as possible.⁸ Moreover, they work to connect elder individuals with community resources, arrange transportation for appointments and provide emotional support. More than being caregivers, geriatric social workers are the vital link that upholds the quality of life for elderly people, allowing them to thrive in the comfort of their own homes or care facilities.

Geriatric social workers tirelessly advocate for the well-being of older adults, providing expert recommendations on creating safer living environments. Their suggestions for home modifications can significantly diminish the risk of falls, a common and often serious issue among the elderly. By advising the installation of guardrails in key areas of the home, they proactively reduce the likelihood of such accidents. Grab-bars in bathrooms are another crucial intervention, offering additional stability and support where slips are most likely to occur.⁹ Furthermore, they assess the overall layout for potential hazards, advising on adequate lighting and the removal of tripping threats, thereby ensuring a safer ambiance. Not only do these modifications provide physical safety, but they also instill a sense of confidence and autonomy in older adults, knowing that their homes are tailored to their changing needs. Geriatric social workers' commitment extends to a holistic approach in preserving the dignity and independence of the elderly, fostering an environment where they can live with peace of mind.

Pivotal in championing the independent living of elderly individuals, geriatric social workers offer comprehensive support that blends seamlessly with the desire for autonomy. They provide personalized care that respects the dignity of older adults while ensuring they have the necessary assistance to navigate their daily lives confidently. For instance, accompanying older adults to medical appointments is more than a transport service; it's an empathetic partnership that ensures that the clients’ health concerns are heard and addressed. In the complex landscape of healthcare systems, these professionals are invaluable in guiding families through the process of selecting home-visiting medical providers, ensuring that their elderly relatives receive the highest quality of in-home medical care.⁹

By coordinating these critical aspects of health and wellness, geriatric social workers alleviate the overwhelming burden that can come with managing elder care. Their involvement means that aging individuals not only continue to live in the familiarity and comfort of their homes but also have access to consistent, compassionate care that validates their independence and quality of life.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment for social workers, including those working with older adults, is expected to grow by 7% between 2023 and 2033. This is faster than the typical growth rate for other occupations.¹⁰

According to the national employment site ZipRecruiter, geriatric social workers in the United States earn an average annual salary of $67,283—a reflection of the nuanced and specialized care they provide.¹¹ Beyond the financial compensation, the profession offers intrinsic, invaluable rewards. Geriatric social workers experience the profound satisfaction of making a significant difference in the lives of vulnerable seniors, guiding them toward a fuller, more secure life. With each intervention, advocacy, or supportive conversation, these remarkable professionals witness the positive transformations they foster, elevating the role to more than just a job—it’s a meaningful vocation dedicated to compassionate service.

Develop highly needed expertise in the Online Master of Social Work (MSW) program from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work. In a community dedicated to positive global impact, esteemed faculty members provide real-world expertise and a deep understanding of effective and ethical social work practices.

The thoughtfully designed curriculum prepares you to excel in a field driven by compassion and the pursuit of social justice, immersing you in advanced knowledge and practical skills that are paramount in meeting the challenges of aging populations. It also offers the opportunity to earn gerontology and palliative care certification as part of your MSW coursework.

With the flexibility and convenience of online learning, you can advance your education on your own schedule, meeting your professional and personal obligations without compromise.

Step into a future defined by your passion for service. Start by scheduling a call with an admissions outreach advisor today.