Foster Care Training

As longevity and quality of life continue to improve, the population of elders in the United States will continue to grow, increasing the number of elders involved in the child welfare system. To bring about opportunities for success for those living in the child welfare system, young people, adults and elders need to work together as partners. Both youth and elders have much to offer in this partnership. However, we often overlook the emotional and social challenges that elders face, which can compound the negative outcomes of their physical health. Depression, isolation, and grief, for example, are common among the elderly and can interfere with their ability to thrive with long-term illness.