Using the chapter on Homeless Older Adults (located in the learning materials), answer the following questions:
1) What is your initial reaction to the idea of working with homeless older adults?
2) How the needs of the homeless older adult differ from younger homeless adults?
3) What skills does a social worker need to work with older homeless adults?
4) What challenges would you have if you were working with this population?
Directions:
Write a 250 word response to the prompt above. You will need to use APA citation to show any material you use from the textbook as well as the additional readings in instructional materials folder – week 1.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Title: Addressing the Needs of Homeless Older Adults: A Social Work Perspective
Working with homeless older adults evokes a mix of compassion and concern. The idea of supporting individuals who have experienced a lifetime of challenges and are now facing homelessness in their later years is both heartbreaking and motivating. It highlights the urgency of addressing systemic issues that contribute to homelessness among older adults.
The needs of homeless older adults differ significantly from younger homeless adults due to unique challenges associated with aging. Older adults experiencing homelessness often have complex medical conditions, limited mobility, and may face increased social isolation. They require specialized care that considers age-related health concerns, such as chronic illnesses and cognitive decline.
To effectively work with older homeless adults, social workers need a diverse skill set. These include empathy, active listening, trauma-informed care, knowledge of gerontology, and strong advocacy skills. Social workers must be able to navigate complex systems, provide emotional support, and connect clients with appropriate resources tailored to their specific needs.
Challenges that may arise when working with this population include addressing the intersectionality of ageism, homelessness, and healthcare disparities. Building trust with older homeless adults who may have experienced past traumas or institutional failures can be difficult. Additionally, navigating limited access to affordable housing, healthcare, and social services poses significant obstacles in providing comprehensive support.
In conclusion, working with homeless older adults requires a holistic approach that recognizes the unique needs and challenges faced by this population. By integrating specialized skills, understanding the complexities of aging homelessness, and advocating for systemic change, social workers can make a meaningful impact in improving the well-being of older adults experiencing homelessness.
