CLINICAL ASPECTS OF CASE-MANAGEMENT WITH THE ELDERLY

Based on case management experience with frail elderly clients, the au thors point out how effective case management requires the use of clin ical understanding and skills. To successfully link clients to service s, psychosocial barriers to the acceptance of services must be address ed. The losses and dependency of old age stir up vulnerabilities and d efenses which may interfere with the client's support system and the u se of services. Using case examples, the authors illustrate how clinic al skills are helpful in dealing with clients and families around the painful and difficult issues of old age and the acceptance of dependen cy and services. Social workers are urged to respect the sophisticated and skilled work of case management.