Empowerment in old age: A ladder of user participation in social services for older people

Abstract

Summary This article indicates how to achieve empowerment in old age by promoting user participation in social services for older people. Common empowerment strategies include promoting community and political participation, the seniors’ power movement, and policy advocacy. More effective strategies for empowering older people need to be identified and explored to respond effectively to increasing global aging problems. The article discusses user participation in social services for older people as another valuable strategy and presents the values and core beliefs for promoting user participation in social services for older people. Theoretical advances It proposes a ladder of user participation to provide social workers with clear guidelines for creating suitable channels for involving older people in meaningful and greater participation. The proposed ladder comprises seven levels including (1) being consulted and giving feedback; (2) increasing opportunities for service users to make choices; (3) involvement in daily service management and implementation; (4) assisting in running programs and activities; (5) assuming an active role in groups and projects; (6) working in partnership and sharing power; and (7) involvement in decision-making and control over services. Applications It provides examples of effective ways of promoting the ladder of user participation in centers for older people at each level and discusses principles of practice in implementation.