Social Work with Older Adults in Primary Health Services: A Scoping Review

Given the rapidly aging global population, attention to the psychosocial health of older adults has become increasingly important. Parts of health systems that provide primary services often overlook the social dimensions of older adults' health. Integrating social services, such as social work, into health systems is becoming increasingly essential. This study employs a scoping review method based on Arksey and O'Malley's framework to explore the research on social work services for older adults within primary health systems. The eligibility criteria included studies published in English between 2005 and 2023, concentrating on social work services for older adults. The reviewed studies focused on three key points: (1) the role and services of social work, (2) the importance of interprofessional collaboration, and (3) integration of social work services. Social work services play an essential role in improving the quality of primary services in the health system for older adults, and the presence of social workers is necessary to provide more comprehensive and efficient services to them. Policymakers should prioritize policies related to the socialization of health and health management, the improvement of social services, and promoting the position of social workers in primary services within more organized and specialized health systems.