Abstract: Submission #154

Abstract Statistics indicate that the number of persons over 60 outnumber children younger than 5 years. It is estimated that in 2050, 80% of older persons will live in developing countries where resources to ensure their wellbeing are limited. A biopsychosocial perspective is significant to assess the wellbeing of older persons. It is often older persons in residential facilities that are prone to emotional poverty, thus feeling isolated and depressed that is detrimental to their wellbeing. It is especially the experiences of losses such as decline in health, death of loved ones and limited freedom that contribute to emotional poverty. It is against this background that this qualitative study was conducted to explore the experiences of older persons in residential facilities as well as social workers rendering services to older persons. Twenty older persons and ten social workers took part in this study. Ethical clearance was obtained for this medium-risk study. The findings of this study indicate the vital role social workers play in the Gerontology field as part of the multidisciplinary team to reduce the emotional poverty of older persons. More social work research is needed to improve the wellbeing of and service rendering to older persons.