Misson Statement

The Institute for Geriatric Social Work (IGSW) is dedicated to strengthening the workforce for an aging society through educational innovation, workforce change, and research. Located at Boston University School of Social Work, IGSW builds upon the School's historical commitment to the aging field and current strength in gerontological teaching, research and training.

NEW COURSE

Suicide Prevention among Older
Adults ($80, 4 CEUs)

This course provides general information about the
prevention of suicide in older adults. The course
includes background, theory, facts, and statistical
information about suicide, suicide ideation, and
related behaviors among older adults. The course
also identifies particular risk factors for suicide and
discusses different forms of suicide, as well as
treatment interventions helpful for social service
providers in the field of aging.

Dec. 8, 2008. Boston, Mass. The Institute for Geriatric Social Work (IGSW) at Boston University School of Social Work has just announced receipt of a five-year, $3.1 million grant from The Atlantic Philanthropies (AP) to continue IGSW's path-breaking efforts in preparing the social services workforce for an aging society. Since it was established with initial funding from AP in 2002, IGSW has become a national leader in provision of post-professional training in aging, improving the practice of social workers and others who care for older people and their families.

Click here to view press release

Frail older adults who receive a form of behavioral therapy and care management from a social worker in their primary care setting experience significant improvement in physical functioning, a new IGSW study has shown. While the benefits of integrating social workers into primary care -- for older adult patients and for the healthcare system -- have long been hypothesized and informally observed, rigorous clinical trials rarely have attempted to document the results of such efforts.

Click here to view press release

New Publications

A Statewide Training Program to Promote Workforce Development in Aging

Training Retired Social Workers: Experience and Innovation to Serve the Aging Population

Press Releases

IGSW Awarded NIA SBIR Grant

IGSW to Provide Online Training in Aging for Massachusetts Protective Services Workers

IGSW to Train Massachusetts State Workers in Suicide Prevention for Older Adults

IGSW Online Training Programs: 

An Overview

Learn more about IGSW's online training programs here and view a course demonstration.  View this Movie now. This movie requires the Macromedia Flash Player. Download the Flash Player.

For a full description of our courses and to enroll or log-in, please visit www.igsw.org .

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