The University of Alabama School of Social Work is proud to announce that Amy McLean, instructor and coordinator of teaching innovation, has been accepted into the Council of Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Teaching Academy, a national program focused on advancing excellence in social work education. The yearlong initiative brings together a select group of educators…
As of January 1st, 2025, Drs. Brenda Smith and Leah Cheatham will be serving as co-Editors-in-Chief for the Children and Adolescent Social Work Journal, published by Springer Nature. Within these new positions, Drs. Smith and Cheatham aim to build on the journal’s strong foundation set by Drs. Lisa Schelbe and Bruce Thyer by maintaining a high level of quality, upholding the journal’s commitment to…
The University of Alabama is Excited to Host the 2025 National DSW Conference on Education & Social Work Practice on Friday, April 25th 2025. DSW at the Helm: Leading Social Work Through Today’s Uncharted Waters. Given changing social and political landscapes, now is the time for us to cultivate spaces for practice doctorates in overcoming…
2/23/2022 by Nicole Ruggiano, PhD, MSW I often talk with people who have recently become caregivers and are not sure where to turn to for information. Oftentimes, they do not know what information to look for or where to find it. Also, the resources and services available in communities varies, so I’m often at a…
2/26/22 by Nicole Ruggiano, PhD, MSW When I’m working in the community, one of the most common questions I get from caregivers is, “What is the difference between Alzheimer’s disease and dementia?” The truth is, they are the same thing, though the answer is a little more complicated than that. Dementia is a syndrome, which is…
3/13/2022 by Nicole Ruggiano, PhD, MSW Caregiving is hard. It can be hard, physically and mentally. For many caregivers, this results in a mix of emotions from day to day. Even though it’s challenging, caregivers often feel good about being able to provide care for their loved one. However, sometimes caregivers also feel guilty. Take Kim*,…
3/20/2022 by Nicole Ruggiano, PhD, MSW When caregivers tell me how much their loved one’s dementia symptoms upset them, they are most upset when their spouse or parent does not recognize them anymore. I understand this first hand. When my grandmother’s dementia became severe, she would become scared and upset when I visited her. She didn’t…
4/15/2022 by Hyunjin Noh, PhD, MSW Watching a loved one struggling with difficult pain can be a traumatic experience for caregivers and can have a negative impact on their mental health. Many caregivers are unaware about palliative care and how it can help them and their loved one. However, palliative care may be a health…
4/17/2022 by Bryan Ford, PhD, MSW Caring for another human being can be one of the most rewarding accomplishments of your life. It can also be very challenging and at times, overwhelming. It disrupts our lives, forces us to change our schedules and habits; just when we feel our lives are already busy enough. Yet,…
6/10/2022 by Lisa M. O’Neill, DBH, MPH A person living with dementia can experience pain, just like anyone else. Dementia does not cause pain, but a person living with dementia can be at risk for other things that cause pain such as falls or other injuries. Further, as with most older adults, people with dementia…
