SOCIAL WORK AND FAMILY CARE FOR DEMENTIA PATIENTS

The adult population over 65 years throughout the world is rising very fast. With increasing age, the disease of the elderly, such as dementia will increase dramatically;therefore, the role of social workers to response this issue is highlighted. This paper reviews the role and scope of evidence-based social work practice in the care of patients with dementia and suggested several important ways, according to research from libraries and documentation targets. The main approach of social workers is community-based care that focuses on the role of referral management in organized and coordinating services. On the other hand, there is no supporting evidence for extensive intervention by social work in the field of aging research priorities is needed. In addition social workers acquire knowledge and skills in the care of patients with dementia in the professional development in the field of advanced medical technology, pharmaceutical interventions and behavioral therapies are able to increase the life of older people with dementia. In individual section, patients with dementia require trained social workers in gerontology that can provide services for elderly patients. In family section, social workers specializing in families and the elderly can successfully deal with problems and get the highest potential physically, psychologically, socially and economically important role to play. In community section the main role of social workers is informing and educating public. Furthermore social workers should also simultaneously perform quantitative and qualitative research focused on how to enhance the quality of life.

Ageing, Social Work, Dementia, Family, Research