title: Expanding the role of long-term care social workers: assessment and intervention related to urinary incontinence.
abstract: Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common and stigmatizing problem faced by long-term care (LTC) residents. It is typically addressed by medical professionals, with social work rarely involved. The purpose of this article is to illustrate how social workers can address the psychosocial implications of UI while working with residents and their family members as part of an interdisciplinary team. Using a case example and the NASW objectives for LTC, recommendations on how the role of the LTC social workers can be expanded to better address both the needs of residents, families, and the larger LTC system are provided.
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA. sara-sanders@uiowa.edu
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sanders
authors.forename: Mercedes
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bern-Klug
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Specht
authors.forename: Paula R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Mobily
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bossen
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D003153:Community Health Services; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D010348:Patient Care Team; D024382:Professional Role; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012944:Social Support; D012947:Social Work; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy