Social Work Intervention Challenges for an Abused Elder Client

Increasing abusing elders in developing countries, including Iran, is undeniable. While governments and people in developed countries are ready to meet this challenge, developing countries have no clear vision for it. In this article, a case of abused elder women and the challenges which the social worker encountered in her intervention have been reported. 

A seventy-six years old woman who we called her Golbanoo in this study had no support network other than her niece was registered in a non-governmental elder residential care center. She was financially abused by her niece. The social worker’s challenges for delivering adequate services were increased when her niece died. Elder residential care center ignored Golbanoo’s basic needs and insisted to refer the client to a governmental care center because she was unable to pay the fee. 

In this case, after identifying the problem, the social worker performed psychosocial support intervention based on the case management approach and ensured sufficient and on-time services are provided to the clients. Hence its recommended that to use this approach in similar cases. The government and legislators should consider elder abuse prevention and support victims by law, policies, and new social programs.