The Osceola Council on Aging currently offers opportunities to collaborate with various universities hosting bachelor’s and master’s level social work internships as a synergistic approach to supporting the mental health and wellness of Osceola seniors. I am.
Students from Florida State University, University of Central Florida, Arizona State University, and Barry University, to name a few, are on hand at OCOA (and online) to provide collaborative support and interdisciplinary social work services to our elderly clients .
“This is a perfect synergy for both students and advanced clients,” said Jonora Morales, OCOA senior vice president of case management. “This internship program offers an innovative approach to on-the-job education and provides role models for those who want to work in marginalized communities with older adults with mental health issues. We provide a unique learning experience and training opportunity.
Sadly, while it is not new for older people to face mental health issues, it is often overlooked. According to the World Health Organization, more than 14% of adults over the age of 60 have a mental disorder, and around a quarter of older adults suffer from social isolation and loneliness.
The WHO also states that mental illness in later life can be shaped by the social environment, age-related stressors, and the cumulative influence and trauma of early life experiences. Similarly, decreased functional capacity (mental and physical) can cause psychological distress. Older adults can grieve due to retirement, loss of income, and a diminished sense of purpose.
Various medical factors can also affect the level of care required for daily activities, unfortunate living conditions, access to and understanding of technological equipment (which is necessary and often overwhelming for older adults), abuse, and other factors. This can lead to psychiatric conditions such as: Ensuring children’s safety, including knowledge and adaptive skills to overcome and adapt to change.
COVID-19 has had a negative psychological impact on Americans of all ages, but especially older adults, due to a lack of socialization, leading to increased feelings of isolation and decreased overall mental health. Fortunately, once the pandemic ended, we saw an increase in the number of seniors and older adults attending events hosted within the council, including meals, social events, and health and wellness activities.
In contrast, Dr. Morales said there are still older adults who are reluctant to participate in activities involving groups, including due to health concerns over the recent pandemic.
“Due to this fear, older people are largely isolated, which can again lead to poor mental, emotional and psychological health,” she said.
With continued concerns related to isolation and lack of socialization, OCOA is fortunate to partner on a social work internship collaboration to better manage the mental health and wellness of our clients. Interns will be responsible for introducing clients to programs to improve their mental outlook, as well as providing education about the negative effects of isolation and environmental stressors.
This platform will allow interns to work with a diverse range of older adults to deepen their knowledge and understanding of their needs.
Dr. Morales supervises interns to ensure that all social work ethical principles are adhered to. Mr. Morales, who recently earned his doctorate in social work, has spent more than 35 years in social work roles in local, state, and nonprofit organizations. She brings a wealth of knowledge to her students under her guidance.
“I’m excited to see this collaboration continue to grow. This is a win-win for both the Council on Aging and our seniors. Most importantly, we want older adults to become champions of their mental health and well-being. “They will benefit from one-on-one supervised counseling,” Morales added.
For more information about obtaining an internship, please contact Dr. Morales at 407-846-8404. Interns must first receive placement approval through the university.
