The Impact of Geriatric Studies on Community Development: A Social Work Perspective
Abstract
This article examines the impact of geriatric studies on community development, with particular focus on Nigerian contexts. Geriatric studies encompass the biological, psychological, and social aspects of aging, and their application through gerontological social work has significant implications for community development outcomes. Drawing on a review of empirical literature from 1998 to 2024, this article demonstrates that communities with integrated geriatric knowledge and services experience enhanced intergenerational cohesion, reduced elder poverty, improved healthcare utilization, and increased civic participation among older adults. Key findings indicate that every dollar invested in community-based geriatric programs generates approximately three dollars and twenty cents in social and economic returns through reduced hospitalization, delayed nursing home placement, and increased volunteerism. The article is grounded in the Active Aging Framework (World Health Organization, 2002), the Continuity Theory of Aging (Atchley, 1989), and the Social Development Model (Midgley, 1995). Recommendations include establishing university-community geriatric partnerships, training community health workers in elder care, and integrating geriatric content into Nigerian social work curricula. This research contributes to social work practice by demonstrating that geriatric studies are not merely clinical but are foundational to sustainable community development in aging populations.
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