The helping profession: Recognizing the vital role of social workers

Fallon admits social work is also a challenging field.

A study by the National Association of Social Workers reported “genderbased pay inequity remains a persistent problem for social workers and other female-dominated professions.” Another report noted “women … experience biases inside and outside of the profession” and that “social workers are tasked to examine roles, equity and fairness not only in the profession, but within society and with the women they serve each day.”

Nonetheless, “if you are somebody who is sensitive and motivated to try and help, social work is a way to make a real difference because you make a difference in people’s lives in a way that other professions don’t,” said Fallon, who holds a master’s degree in gerontology from University of Pennsylvania.

By Jay Nachman

As Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) celebrates both Women’s History Month and Social Work Month in March, Milestones recognizes the women who have devoted their personal and professional lives to serving older adults. Here are three of their experiences.

Nancy Morrow is committed to improving the lives of older people. “As a social worker, I‘ve been able to do that at many different levels throughout my career,” she said proudly.

After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania with a master’s degree in social work, Morrow began her career working with older adults on a one-on-one basis in individual and group counseling.

Following that, she worked in more administrative and programmatic roles, including director of protective services at PCA and executive director of the Pennsylvania Care Management

Institute. For the last 30 years, she’s worked as a consultant and trainer for many social service agencies, including PCA and the Supportive Older Women’s Network (SOWN). She also teaches aging policy at the University of Pennsylvania in the School of Social Policy and Practice.

Through her work, Morrow instructs current and future “social workers about older adults and the wonderful field of aging.” She enjoys teaching social workers about working with older people and encouraging them in their social work careers to think about aging as a field of practice.

“I’ve always had a personal mission to increase the interest of social work students in the area of aging because I found it to be such a satisfying, rewarding career,” she said.

Mary J. Fallon recently retired after 20 years as the executive director of the Unitarian Universalist House Outreach Program, which supports people 60 and older in achieving independence, dignity, and quality of life in their homes and communities. She spent her entire career in aging services, including PCA, where she was a student intern in 1980 and worked as assistant director of placement services in the early 1990s.

“So many older people feel shunted aside,” Fallon said. “I think people underestimate the value of just sitting with someone and really actively listening to them and being sincerely interested in their welfare and the outcome of the interaction.”

In describing the satisfaction that her work brings, Fallon said, “I’ve seen people who just thought, ‘well, nobody is going to help me. I may as well not even call anybody. I don’t even know who to call. I’m just so stuck.’ Then, when somebody, like a worker from PCA or Unitarian Universalist House, reaches out and actually tries to help them, they’re just astonished.”

While the profession is vital to the community and extremely rewarding,

Cheryl Clark-Woods has worked at PCA for 25 years and currently serves as director of the agency’s caregiver support program. But whenever she is asked what she does, Clark-Woods proudly asserts that she is a social worker.

“I don’t say I’m the director of the caregiver support program,” said ClarkWoods, who has a master’s degree in social work from Temple University. “I say I’m a social worker because that’s really what I identify myself as. That’s my commitment within whatever role I’ve had. I find it rewarding working directly with people who need help. Social work is a helping profession, and a lot of people go into it for that reason. It’s really helping people directly with what their situations are and helping them connect to things that may improve the quality of their life.”

Good health in later life for older women

Older women are more likely than men to have multiple health problems and chronic health conditions, including arthritis, high blood pressure and osteoporosis, according to a report by the Kaiser Family Foundation. There is a lot you can do to increase your chances of staying healthy as you age. See your health care provider regularly. Even if you feel perfectly healthy, you should see your primary care doctor or another health care provider at least once a year for a checkup. Certain screenings can help diagnose health problems early. Ask your health care provider which tests are right for you. The American Geriatrics Society’s Health in Aging Foundation recommends the following checkups.

Diabetes – If you haven’t been checked for diabetes recently, it is recommended that you do so. Older women who have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or a family history of diabetes should get checked every three years.

Blood pressure – High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, affects tens of millions of adults in the United States. It increases the risk of life-threatening conditions including heart attack and stroke. But high blood pressure rarely causes symptoms. A blood pressure measurement helps diagnose high blood pressure early, so it may be treated before it leads to serious complications. Have your pressure checked by your doctor at least once a year.

Dental – At least once a year, have your teeth cleaned and examined for cavities and signs of mouth disease, including cancer. If you wear dentures, get them checked regularly to make sure they still fit properly.

Hearing – Get your hearing checked every three years after age 50. More frequently for those with known exposures or risk factors associated with hearing loss.

Vision – Comprehensive eye examination that includes visual acuity testing and dilation every 1 to 2 years for all adults 65 years or older who do not have risk factors or more frequently if risk factors are present.

Bone health – As people age, they often lose bone mass more quickly than they can replace it, so their bones can become porous and brittle. If left unchecked, this bone loss can lead to osteoporosis, defined as reduced bone mass and poor bone quality. The disorder makes bones weak and prone to fracture. People who have osteoporosis have bones that can break with even the mildest impact. Medicare pays for an osteoporosis screening every two years. Ask your health care provider if you need screening or therapy. Research suggests that many older adults aren’t getting enough calcium. Try to get 1,500 mg of calcium – with vitamin D – each day. Weight-bearing exercises, such as walking and strength training, are also good for your bones.

Depression – If you feel down, sad, or hopeless for two or more weeks, or have lost interest in things you once enjoyed, talk to your health care provider about treatment.

Sexually transmitted infections – If you are sexually active but not in a monogamous relationship, these screenings are important at any age.

Vaccinations – Flu: Every year. | Pneumonia (pneumococcal conjugate and pneumococcal polysaccharide): Ask your health care provider about when to take the two vaccines.

| Tetanus shot: Every 10 years. | Shingles (herpes zoster): Once after 60. | COVID-19: Two doses, 3-8 weeks apart, followed by an updated (bivalent) booster shot after six months.

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health provides a range of women’s health services at eight city health centers. For information, call 311 or go to phila.gov.

Source: The American Geriatrics Society