Revisiting Social Work with Older People in Chinese Contexts from a Community Development Lens

Daniel Wing Leung Lai*, Yongxin Ruan

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in book/report/conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

Community development is an empowering and comprehensive method for
social workers to address individual and societal challenges facing Chinese
older people. This chapter explores the different meanings of community development in Chinese contexts, including communities in Mainland China and
Chinese immigrant communities. When actualizing community development,social workers require theories to guide their actions, and this chapter proposes three interrelated theoretical bases: ecological system theory, empowerment theory, and anti-oppressive theory. Based on these theoretical bases, three practice directions are suggested to guide community development at different levels: “aging in place,” “age-friendly community,” and “gray power.” In particular, social workers need to adapt community development approaches to Chinese cultural contexts. Case examples are discussed to illustrate how to implement community development projects with older people in Chinese contexts and the roles of social workers in such projects.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationCommunity Practice and Social Development in Social Work
EditorsSarah Todd, Julie L. Drolet
PublisherSpringer Singapore
Chapter13
Pages245-261
Number of pages17
Edition1
ISBN (Electronic)9789811369698
ISBN (Print)9789811369681
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 27 May 2020

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