Psychological and Pedagogical Conditions for the Formation of Professional Motivation of Social Workers Who Serve the Elderly

Population aging extends to all spheres of modern society and eliminates new problems that need to be addressed. Among them are demographic, political, economic, cultural, social. The concept of triumphant old age requires a theoretical discussion of concepts and the introduction of modern world achievements in social work with the elderly. Thus, social work in this aspect is an important means of solving problems, both the elderly and the whole community. The leading person in providing services to the elderly is a social worker. Surveys of the elderly, the study of theoretical developments on this issue suggests that so far such work is being conducted at a satisfactory level. The formation of motivation of social work specialists to serve the elderly can significantly improve the situation. The concept of "motivation" covers the internal and external motivational mechanisms of social work of a specialist with the elderly. They are manifested in meeting the professional and personal needs of the social worker, the formation of stable cognitive interests in new technologies of social work with the elderly and in personal self-affirmation. The article examines the external and internal conditions for the formation of motivation of social workers to work with the elderly in Ukraine. Among the external conditions: the state's social policy on institutions providing social services to the elderly, service centers for single disabled elderly people and commercial organizations that provide services to this category of clients; activities of social protection institutions, services for the elderly, including measures related to the provision of additional benefits, services and social benefits to their employees. Among the internal conditions we study: the direction of the specialist to work with the elderly; personal significance of activity, training and retraining of specialists, obtaining emotional satisfaction from work, prevention of burnout. Monitoring of the problem in the Ukrainian environment of social services for the elderly showed an average level of motivation of social workers. To increase it we consider such measures to be appropriate for providing conditions for advanced training and retraining of specialists; their mastery of innovative technologies in this area of social services; creating a psychological climate in accordance with the requirements of social services, and ensuring adequate material support for this area of social services; attention to stimulating the work of specialists, prevention of emotional burnout.