About SWLI

Mission and Goals
The Social Work Leadership Institute at The New York Academy of Medicine is a national program that supports healthy aging. Our goal is to ensure that America's older adults receive the care they need to stay independent and in charge of their lives - and that their caregivers also get the support they deserve. To accomplish this goal, we focus on 1) Improving the quality of health and long-term care for older adults - particularly those with complex chronic conditions - so that these services are better coordinated and easier to access, and 2) Growing the workforce of professionals trained in aging care, including social workers.

The Challenge- and the Solution
The number of older Americans will double by 2030, yet the healthcare workforce is too small and unprepared to meet this growing need, according to a recent Institute of Medicine report. The report committee has recommended a three-prong approach for the reforms that must take place by the target date of 2030- the year when all baby boomers will have turned 65 or older:

1. Strengthen Geriatric Skills: Virtually all health professionals today care for older adults to some degree, yet the vast majority of them are not adequately trained in geriatric care.

2. Increase Recruitment and Retention: Geriatric specialists are needed in all professions, yet currently only a small percentage of healthcare providers specialize in geriatrics.

3. Improve the Way Care is Delivered: Care for older adults is fragmented and inefficient. More must be done to coordinate care and support and engage healthcare professionals, direct care workers, caregivers and patients themselves as active partners.

Meeting the Need
The Social Work Leadership Institute is working to train and grow the national workforce of social workers who specialize in aging and to improve long-term, community-based care for older adults through:

-Policy Advocacy
-Education and Training
-Leadership Development
-Research