Developing services for older people and their families - Rosemary Bland

Exploring new theory and practice in the provision of services for older people living at home, this book contains three parts. Part I examines the social context of old age, looking at structural barriers such as:

ageism, racism and sexism

the poverty of older people relative to the rest of the population

the received wisdom that the increase in the number of older people in the population is `problematic'

The second part of the book focuses on practice. The authors examine the extent to which service providers work from a user-led perspective, looking at issues such as:

day services for people with dementia

housing and support services

GP - social services collaboration

short-term breaks

Part III examines specific issues, such as:

development of professional skills

the use of specialist teams

empowerment

This book is an excellent source of information for social workers, those working with older people, and lecturers of social work and gerontology.