Geriatric Social Workers

Employers

Approximately 751,900 social workers, including geriatric social workers, are employed in the United States. Opportunities for geriatric social workers can be found in both the public and private sectors. Hospitals, nursing homes, retirement communities, human services offices, senior centers, adult day care centers, and government agencies all employ geriatric social workers. With so many services available for older people, there are a variety of job opportunities for the geriatric social worker. There are some agencies that deal only with the practical aspects of aiding older people, such as arranging for services and managing financial and legal issues. Working for other agencies may involve the organization of recreational and educational activities, such as senior theater groups and art classes.

Starting Out

After receiving your social work degree and gaining some field experience, you will have made valuable connections among faculty and social service organizations. These connections may be able to help you find a job. Your college's career services office or internship program may also direct you to your first full-time position. You should also become familiar with the local senior centers and agencies for the elderly.

Joining a professional organization can be helpful in entering the field. The American Society on Aging sponsors a job bank ((http://www.aswb.org) and offers publications. Job opportunities are listed in the newsletters of the American Geriatrics Society, the American Counseling Association (https://www.counseling.org), and other professional organizations. You should also attend these organization's annual meetings, which give you the chance to meet other people working in social work, geriatrics, and gerontology.