School of Social Work

Social Work with older people

Social Work with older people

Social work with older people focuses on the needs and support requirements of older people. The need for care and nursing often plays an important role here. Support for relatives is also addressed. This requires broad knowledge and, at the same time, the ability to understand the individual circumstances and problems as well as the social situation of older people in their respective contexts and to realize or identify possible forms of support. Students learn to carry out complex case analyses, develop individualized assistance, and critically reflect on their professional actions—always based on a social-ethical attitude that takes a holistic view of people.

Core content of the program

  • General foundations of social work (including professional and methodological practice, fields of action, theories, history)
  • Related disciplines of social work (including education, psychology, sociology, health sciences, law)
  • Basic competencies (including professional attitude, reflective ability, work organization, self-organization)
  • Program-specific knowledge (including age, aging, care, need for care, health/illness, case reflection)

Schedule

12Weeks of Theory

14Weeks of Practice

3Years of studies

210ECTS Points

Bachelor of Arts

Contents of the study programme in brief

The Social Work with Older People degree program teaches both theoretical knowledge and practical skills that are important for the field of work. Developing a professional attitude is also central to the program. The scientific and methodological knowledge and other skills focus on:

  • Basic knowledge (e.g., age, aging, care, need for care, health/illness, prevention, cure, rehabilitation)
  • Systematic analysis of the institutions and organizations that offer social work with older people
  • Methods and concepts
  • Case work
  • Life situations, living environments & health in old age
  • Legal basis and financing of services
  • Reflection on the professional role and professional ethics issues
  • Health and social policy framework conditions
  • Quality development

 


In dealing with these areas of focus, students acquire differentiated knowledge and skills with regard to the legal, structural, and methodological requirements of social work with older people.
The three-year program concludes with an assessment of 210 ECTS credits and the academic degree of Bachelor of Arts.

Career following studies

As a state-certified social worker/social pedagogue, you will find career opportunities in social services that support older people. These include, above all: meeting places for older people, senior centers, inpatient care facilities for the elderly, care centers, and elderly care planning.

For further information,
please feel free to contact us

Prof. Dr. Martina Wanner

"Vanessa Vogt"

Vanessa Vogt