General Social Work Practice in Defending the Rights of the Elderly:"An Analytical Study of Local Legislation

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the role of generalist social work practice in advocating for the rights of older adults by examining the local legislative framework governing this field and identifying the opportunities and challenges facing social work practitioners in fulfilling this role. The study adopted the descriptive-analytical approach, relying exclusively on the review and analysis of local legislative texts, including laws, executive regulations, and national policies related to the rights of older adults, through both legal and social perspectives. The findings confirmed that protecting the rights of older adults constitutes a societal and legal priority, particularly in light of demographic changes and the growing proportion of the elderly population. The local legislator has established a solid legal foundation for safeguarding these rights through the Law on the Protection of the Rights of Older Adults, which guarantees a range of fundamental rights, including the right to health and social care, the right to a safe environment, and the right to community participation, while criminalizing all forms of discrimination, neglect, and abuse. The law also places a shared responsibility on both the state and society to provide an integrated social support system that addresses the needs of older adults. The study concludes that strengthening the role of generalist social work practice in advocating for the rights of older adults requires a set of recommendations, foremost among them the development of legislation regulating the profession, the establishment of clear standards for professional practice, the enhancement of continuous training and professional development programs for social workers, the provision of financial and moral support for elderly care programs, the promotion of awareness of older adults' rights among all segments of society, and the activation of effective monitoring and accountability mechanisms to ensure the efficient implementation of relevant legislation.