Globally, older adults remain among the most vulnerable to marginalization, poor health, poverty, and income insecurity. At the macro level, social work professionals play an important role in policy development. At the individual level, they provide mental health counseling and can assist older adults experiencing changes in health and functional status and their families identify resources, services, and benefits. 

While changes resulting from loss, disease, and disability have been the predominant focus in gerontological social work, we cannot neglect the potential and ability found in older adulthood. Many older adults continue to live active and productive lives contributing to society and their families in myriad ways.  Remaining true to social work values in which older adults are treated as agents rather than problems, social work professionals who understand aging recognize and promote the capability of older persons to remain productive and less dependent in later life.