Navigating Elder Care: A Guide for Social Workers
Question.
Case study in Singapore about Eldercare.
Mr A, 79, has an advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
He is community ambulant but requires a portable oxygen concentrator when he uses his motorized scooter to move around in the neighbourhood.
Mrs A, 75, is the primary caregiver at home.
She has early-stage dementia but still tries to cook and do the grocery.
They live in a small apartment.
Mr and Mrs A are closely knitted and have enjoyed staying in their neighbourhood for nearly 35 years.
Their only child, a son, 49, is married with two primary school-going children.
His family of four lives in an average size apartment.
His wife is a homemaker.
The son visits his parents weekly, worrying about their well-being and ability to look after themselves
The son has advised his parents to consider moving in to stay with him, but the elderly couple insists they could still manage independently.
A few worrying signs include the following:
i) A passer-by found Mrs A asking for help and direction after missing her way back home.
ii) Mr A gets breathless, especially in the evenings, and wakes up quite frequently for toileting.There were a few occasions when he fell at home.
iii) The elderly couple previously had a foreign domestic helper, but the latter was sent back to the domestic helper agent after she was found stealing from Mrs A’s money box. Since then, Mr and Mrs A have been paranoid about hiring another domestic helper. Moreover, they did not wish to burden their son by hiring a foreign domestic helper, which would incur additional expenses.
You may assume further related case information where relevant.
a) Explain the son’s main challenge in caring for his elderly parents.
(5 marks)
b) As a social worker, discuss FIVE (5) main considerations in planning and developing relevant interventions for this case.
(20 marks)
c) Apply THREE (3) main social work skills in working on this case.
(15 marks)
TEN (10) marks for appropriate referencing and overall organization.
(10 marks)
THE END.
Navigating Elder Care: A Guide for Social Workers
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Navigating Elder Care: A Guide for Social Workers
Caring for the elderly presents a unique set of challenges in the social work field. As the population ages, it is increasingly important to understand the needs of elderly individuals and how to meet them. It is important to note that the requirements of elderly individuals vary greatly (Hillier & Barrow, 2014). Social workers must be able to assess the elderly person's needs and develop a plan of care that meets their individual needs. This may include physical, emotional, and social needs. Social workers must assess the elderly person's living situation, health status, and mental capacity to ensure their care is tailored to their needs (Frennert, 2020).
In this case study, the son's main challenge in caring for his elderly parents is finding a safe and effective care solution. Finding a safe and effective care solution could include helping to find appropriate medical care, managing their medications, providing transportation, helping with daily tasks, providing emotional support, and ensuring their safety. The goal is to ensure that the elderly parents are safe, supported, and able to maintain their independence as much as possible; that meets his parents' physical and mental needs while ensuring their autonomy and independence as much as possible. As Mr. and Mrs. A are elderly, they need specialized care considering their physical, mental, and emotional needs. They would benefit from a live-in caregiver that can help with their daily activities, provide companionship, and ensure their safety and well-being. However, hiring a foreign domestic helper is not a viable option for them due to their limited financial resources, and their son cannot provide round-the-clock care due to his family commitments.
Furthermore, the couple's paranoia about hiring another domestic helper further complicates the situation. The son must therefore find a way to provide his parents with the necessary care and support while respecting their wishes to remain independent. This requires an understanding of the elderly couple's needs and an assessment of their abilities so that the son can make informed decisions about the level and type of care they need. By understanding the situation and exploring all possible care options, the son can ensure that his elderly parents receive the care and support they need in a way that respects their independence and autonomy.
As a social worker, there are five primary considerations when planning and developing interventions for the case of Mr. and Mrs. A that will guarantee the best possible outcome. These considerations include the assessment of their needs, the consideration of moving into an assisted living facility, the fostering of their autonomy and independence, the provision of social support, and the identification of resources to improve their quality of life.
First, a thorough assessment of Mr. and Mrs. A's needs is necessary to determine the most effective interventions for their case. It is essential to consider the couple's current living situation, their physical and mental state, the availability of family support, and the resources available to them. This assessment should include an evaluation of their physical and mental capabilities and a review of their current lifestyle and environment (Martinho et al., 2020). This process can also help identify potential future risks that the couple may face.
Second, since the parents are adamant of moving in with their son, he should consider enrolling them into an assisted living facility. Assisted living facilities for the elderly are residential facilities that provide personal care services, such as help with dressing, bathing, eating, and mobility, as well as medication management and other health-related services (Wang, 2019). They also provide social and recreational activities, housekeeping, and t...