Abstract

Global social work deals with universal social issues and problems experienced by people around the world. Social issues and problems become more and more globally interconnected [1].

The global older population is increasing dramatically and is predominantly female. Approximately 15% of adults aged 60+ suffer from some form of mental disorder. People in nursing homes have higher incidence rates of mental disorders.

Social determinants are related to mental health of the elderly and vice versa. The social determinants of mental health are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age. There are specialized professional groups whose work deals intensively with the social determinants of elderly people. Among other things, social work for the elderly focuses on the best level of participation, interdependence, quality of life and well-being of the elderly. The objectives of social work for the elderly include respect, dignity [2], the autonomy of the individual, including personal autonomy, aspects of healthy aging, resource promotion, and prevention, in conjunction with social relationships, families, individual networks, community settings and political circumstances.

The challenges of the future, such as growing numbers of elderly people and more mental and chronic illnesses, call for engagement and commitment in the work of this professional group around the globe. Adequately qualified social workers with, for example, professional and trained psychosocial counseling knowledge and skills are needed, in particular with basic knowledge and training about end-of-life aspects, self-management and the management of loss, always related to cultural aspects and cultural considerations.

These future challenges in a global context should be given more connection and consideration in education, training and in the professional field of action as well as in professional organizations, federations and professional networks. Social work has in the course of these challenges to work against stigmatization and ageism as a systematic stereotyping of and discrimination against people.