Areas of Specialization
* Chronic illness (especially Alzheimer’s Disease)
* Family dynamics & concerns
* Decisions for care beyond the home environment
* Questions of life’s meanings
* Loss & grief
* Spirituality & aging
Education
Marty received her BA in sociology (with a social welfare concentration) from Augustana College in Illinois in January of 1967 and her MSW (Master of Social Work) from the University of Washington in March of 1970. In both her undergraduate and graduate work her field experience was in state hospitals.
Work Experience
After being based in Seattle for more than 25 years, Marty relocated to Port Townsend, Washington in 2001. Her work currently includes social work consultation to nursing homes; private counseling of older adults and their families; providing adult education about aging to faith communities and religious organizations; writing about aging; participating in employee assistance programs, and presenting workshops throughout the US and Canada.
From 1971- 1984 Marty was a social worker in several Seattle-area nursing homes. She has been a Director of Social Services, nursing home consultant, and a direct line social worker. From 1979-1984 she was a practicum instructor for social work students at Foss Home in Seattle. Her interest in long term care started when she was a volunteer during her college years.
Prior to working in long term care, Marty worked briefly for a family counseling agency and the Department of Public Assistance (now DSHS) in Spokane. In both instances she worked with aged and disabled adults.
She is a Washington State Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers of the National Association of Social Work.
Teaching Experience
Marty has been a Clinical Instructor of Social Work and an Affiliate Assistant Professor of Social Work at the University of Washington where she has taught a variety of practice and aging classes both at the School and in the interdisciplinary Institute on Aging. She has taught both on campus and through distance learning. Currently she is teaching “Social and Cultural Aspects of Aging” and “The Family in Late Life” online through the University of Washington Extension program. From July 1985-September of 1989 she was coordinator of basic core training for Department of Social and Health Services adult services workers, and still occasionally teaches modules. She has also done outreach to Washington, Alaska, Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming through the Northwest Geriatric Education Center at the University.
Her other college teaching experiences include one year at the Lutheran Bible Institute of Seattle (now Trinity Lutheran College) as Adjunct Professor of Gerontology; several years as a part-time instructor at Edmonds Community College teaching aging classes. She also spent a summer semester at Seattle University SUMORE program as an instructor and a two week stint as an instructor at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley CA.
Marty also provides community education to service groups, caregiver groups and communities of faith. She is often a keynote speaker or workshop leader for national professional groups (from social workers to clergy to gerontologists) and national denominational groups.
Marty Richards is a Washington State Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker.
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