The Roles and Challenges of Social Workers in Local Administrative Organizations: A Case Study of the Dementia Café Program in the Community

Abstract

In a Complete-Aged Society, one of the key issues that demands attention is dementia in the older persons, which significantly affects not only the patients themselves but also their families and communities. This article aims to present the community-level situation of dementia, the models of care services for older persons with dementia in Thailand, the role of social workers, and proposed approaches to strengthen the role of social workers within local administrative organizations.

A case study method was employed, focusing on five local administrative organizations that have implemented the Dementia Café concept. Data was collected through interviews, document analysis, and field observations. The study found that social workers play a vital role in assessing family contexts, providing counseling, and coordinating inter-agency collaboration. However, there remain several key challenges: (1) limitations in the social work curriculum at the higher education level; (2) limited recognition of the social work profession's role in dementia care; (3) shortages in specialized knowledge, skills, and experience among social workers; (4) a lack of programs and care systems for older persons with dementia and their family caregivers; (5) the practice of social work not yet covering the diverse needs of affected older persons; and (6) inefficiencies in the mechanisms for health and social protection for dementia patients.

The article recommends the development of a national integrated action plan for the social protection of older persons with dementia, the promotion of multidisciplinary team roles, and greater governmental support in terms of resources, budget, personnel, and knowledge for social workers within local administrative organizations. These recommendations would enable these organizations to design and implement service programs for older persons/ with dementia in their communities in a continuous and systematic manner.