With increased age comes increased likelihood of disability as people live longer and do not encounter fatal diseases. Unfortunately, this positive association between age and disability sometimes leads to a negative image of aging. Disability occurs when physical or mental health declines associated with aging, illness, or injury restrict ability to perform activities of daily living. This chapter discusses the effect of disability on biopsychosocial functioning throughout the lifespan, the effect of culture, race, and ethnicity on behaviors, attitudes, and identity, and the effects of discrimination and stereotypes on behaviors, attitudes, and identity. It describes the influence of sexual orientation on behaviors, attitudes, and identity, the impact of transgender and transitioning process on behaviors, attitudes, identity, and relationships, and the principles of culturally competent social work practice. The chapter ends with discussion of sexual orientation concepts and gender and gender identity concepts.

This chapter discusses the indicators of normal and abnormal physical, cognitive, emotional, and sexual development throughout the lifespan. Because growth and development are generally predictable, social workers should know the milestones of healthy development and the signs of potential delay or disability. The chapter presents the theories of sexual development, spiritual development, and racial, ethnic, and cultural development throughout the lifespan. It discusses the effects of physical, mental, and cognitive disabilities throughout the lifespan, the interplay of biological, psychological, social, and spiritual factors, and the principles of attachment and bonding. The chapter then discusses the effect of aging on biopsychosocial functioning, the impact of aging parents on adult children, parenting skills and capacities, the effects of addiction and substance abuse on individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities, and the factors influencing self-image (e.g., culture, race, religion/spirituality, age, disability, trauma). It ends with discussion of psychoanalytic and psychodynamic approaches.

This chapter helps the reader to be familiar with the role coalitions play in advocacy and policy development and to understand the various types of coalitions that affect the policy landscape. It also helps the reader to be familiar with the various roles that exist within groups and coalitions that contribute to the success or non-success of the group process. A number of strategies can be used to develop initiatives to impact one’s advocacy efforts. These strategies can be used to promote the development of new programs and services and can include the use of and/or development of coalitions, the media and media advocacy, and consumer advocates. The chapter addresses each of these strategies in greater depth. It outlines a variety of issues related to coalitions, group development, and coalition building for aging policies and programs.

This chapter helps the reader to be familiar with the demographic and social factors that influence and shape aging and disability policy over time and to be aware of policy changes over the past century within disability and aging public policy. It explains the contrast between advances in science and technology and public policy related to people growing older and people with disabilities. Landmarks serve as essential tools to help us recall specific historical events in time. Historical landmarks, science, and technology have played significant roles in the evolution of social policies; however, aging and disability policies may not have made as many strides as other areas throughout history. The chapter briefly discusses: the role of historical landmarks in shaping social trends and public policies; the relationship between historical landmarks and aging and disability-related policies; and trends in policy, social, and political influences and landmarks in the United States.

This chapter focuses on sources of evidence for evidence-based policy development. It explores some of the dilemmas with developing an evidence base and provides a range of empirical sources within the aging and disabilities arenas that can be used in building an evidence-based approach to policy development. The journey, however, will not be without struggle—since philosophical paradigms, and social and economic factors will interface and play a role in the development of evidence-based policy. The chapter helps the reader to be aware of healthy people 2020 benchmarks that are used to guide program planning and policy development. Benchmarks currently have been established in order to identify where health goals for the nation and individual states should be, and the program is evaluated routinely by local and state health departments. Healthy people 2020 is also used to gauge the impact of health policy.

Aging policy is shaped by a variety of demographic, social, and economic factors. However, these factors are not the only influences on the development of public policy or aging/disability policies. Philosophical paradigms and theoretical frameworks also influence the actual development of policy and play a strong implicit role in how public policy is drafted. Values and philosophies guide the development of specific philosophical paradigms and shape how aging and disability policy is developed and implemented. This chapter explores how these realities play a role in the development and implementation of public policy and aging/disability policy. It showcases some of the realities that may prevent the implementation of the policy or program as envisioned. As a safeguard against a subjectively devised policy and program base, objective evidence and empirically driven initiatives can be developed by aging and disability policy advocates.