SWSP6303: Ageing and Aged Services

Posted: May 5th, 2020

SWSP6303: Ageing and Aged Services – Essay Writing

Assignment Task

Assessment 1
Learning Outcome
a. Demonstrate advanced understandings of the nature, scope, and impact of ageing on individuals, families, communities and society.

b. Articulate advanced understanding of how ageing is constructed socially, politically, economically and culturally.

c. Demonstrate expert knowledge of the many pathways to ageing and the complexities of working with the aged population.

d. Demonstrate advanced knowledge of the health and well-being of the aged and the provision of services from the service users’, their carers’ and families’, social workers’, and consumer advocates’ perspectives.

e. Evaluate the political economy of ageing and its impact on society and the provision of services.

f. Analyse and provide advanced discussion of the social issues associated with ageing with a social justice and human rights perspective and social workers’ responses.

g. Understand the role and responsibilities of the Government and NGOs in relation to service provision for the aged population.

Assessment 1 Details and Instructions
In this assessment, you will be required to interview an older person in your community and identify one key issue/problem expressed as problematic to this older person. OR report on a recent social media video about an older people expressing a specific aged-related problem.

In reporting the issue/problem, you are also required to

Do a literature review on the issue identified, situating it in the broader historical, social, political, cultural, economic and contents
Discuss key stakeholders who may be involved in the issue
Assess existing key policies and resources/ referrals necessary to manage the issue at the national and community level
Provide implications and recommendations for social work practices to resolve the issue.

Critically reflect on the identified issue/problem, develop an argument that is succinct logically consistent, make use of at least 15 academic references (i.e., refereed journal articles and policy papers), feature research evidence that is balanced (e.g., with the view of service users, expert opinions, ethical considerations, etc.), be edited correcting spelling and grammar mistakes, and make use of appropriate referencing (i.e., APA 7th).

You will be assessed on:
1. Relevance of essay to the presenting issue/problem

Clearly demonstrates extent of research and provides thorough analysis
Contextualises the topic from historical, social, political, cultural and economic contexts, where necessary
Critical reflection about implications for social work practice
Clarity of expression, with attention structure and development of argument is clear and logical. Correct use of grammar, punctuation, and spelling
Effective use of multiple references for points raised, a minimum of 10 references, including referencing using APA (7th edition) conventions, and within word count +/- 10%

Assessment 2 Details and Instructions
In this assessment, students are to form groups of up to 3 students and prepare a 20-minute group presentation to be delivered in class. Students will present a case study of a particular issue social workers are likely to encounter in an aged care context.

Students should choose one of the following topics:

End of Life Care
Euthanasia
Advance Care Planning
Chronic Illness
Social Isolation
Rights
Intellectual Disability
Vicarious trauma

A possible format for group presentations/final report is:

a vignette that outlines a case or a group of cases the students will be discussing,
literature review,
a critical discussion of the theory, evidence, and approaches that are important in the case in point, and
implications for social work

The focus is on the following:

Exploration of a problem social workers are likely to encounter in practice
Identifying empirical and theoretical frameworks for understanding the problems
Exploring the problems from a critical social work perspective

Assessment Criteria – Task 2
The presentation will be marked according to the following criteria:

Demonstration of in-depth understanding of the selected issue
Analysis and critical evaluation of social issue with substantial use of literature
Clearly demonstrate the implications for social work practice
Ability to clearly present your argument/ ideas in a manner which engages the audience

Assessment 3
Learning outcomes
a) Demonstrate advanced understandings of the nature, scope, and impact of ageing on individuals, families, communities, and society.

b) Articulate advanced understanding of how ageing is constructed socially, politically, economically, and culturally.

c) Demonstrate expert knowledge of the many pathways to ageing and the complexities of working with the aged population.

d) Demonstrate advanced knowledge of the health and well-being of the aged and the provision of services from the service users’, their carers’ and families’, social workers’, and consumer advocates” perspectives.

e) Evaluate the political economy of ageing and its impact on society and the provision of services.

f) Analyse and provide advanced discussion of the social issues associated with ageing with a social justice and human rights perspective and social workers’ responses.

Assessment 3 Details
In the assessment, using the Gibbs reflective cycle framework, you are requested to critically reflect on the topic chosen for your group presentation. Critically reflect on your initial experiences, perceptions, biases regarding the topic and people in this category. In doing so, also

Reflect on how the research or the process of preparing the presentation has changed some of the perceptions and biases you held on the topic and older people in this category.
Gibbs reflective cycle framework will be discussed in class.
Demonstrate how this new learning will shape your practice with older people in the future.

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Assessment 3 of SWSP6303.

Assessment 3 requires you to critically reflect on the topic chosen for your group presentation, using the Gibbs reflective cycle framework. This framework consists of six stages: description, feelings, evaluation, analysis, conclusion, and action plan.

To begin your reflection, describe the topic you and your group presented on and how you approached it. Reflect on your initial thoughts and feelings about the topic, as well as any biases or assumptions you may have had. Evaluate these thoughts and feelings by examining where they come from and whether they are based on evidence or personal beliefs.

Next, analyze the research and preparation process for your presentation and how it may have impacted your perceptions and biases about the topic and older people in this category. Consider any new information or perspectives you gained and how they challenge or confirm your initial thoughts and feelings.

In the conclusion stage, synthesize your reflections and identify key takeaways from the experience. Consider how this new learning will shape your practice with older people in the future. Finally, develop an action plan for how you will apply this learning in your future practice.

Overall, the goal of Assessment 3 is to encourage you to critically reflect on your experiences, biases, and assumptions, and to develop a more nuanced and evidence-based understanding of the issues affecting older people. By doing so, you will be better equipped to provide effective and compassionate social work services to this population.