title: The future of gerontological social work: a case for structural lag.
abstract: The US population is aging. Traditional perspectives have emphasized that a substantial increase in the number of gerontological social workers is needed to care for this population. However, published evidence demonstrates that, along with population growth, economic and social factors must be taken into account before predicting future gerontological social work demand. Structural lag theory is introduced to explain how these factors affect the profession and may limit its presence in gerontological work settings. Recommendations are made to correct the lag, allowing the social work profession a more substantive voice in the aging enterprise.
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA. ajfergus@uark.edu
authors.forename: Alishia J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Ferguson
authors.forename: Joe
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schriver
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D006291:Health Policy; D006295:Health Resources; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D017146:Models, Organizational; D012938:Social Perception; D012947:Social Work / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000639:trends; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce