Discussions Questions

#1

would introduce this case to a Human Services provider team, under the Life Span Development Theory. Remarking what the authors Broderick and Blewitt stated about this issue, leaving it under the framework that all the development of organisms, fall into place (Broderick & Blewitt, 2015).

According to the services report, the couple presented inability to provide adequate care for each other. On the other hand, the protective services worker found that both John and Lydia were very forgetful and somewhat confused, which are the inevitable consequences of aging.

The late adulthood stage is characterized by a series of dramatical changes as is seen in John and Lydia's health. This behavior clearly is a sign of, Dementia. "Dementia is a syndrome that affects multiple functional domains due to chronic and progressive disease processes in the brain," (Broderick & Blewitt, 2015) affecting and impacting their overall health over time.

Aging requires individual adaptation to cope and regulate their late-life losses. Craik and Bialystok state differences between childhood and late-life cognition, while in childhood, it is based in representations as they construct a coherent interpretive basis for understanding the world; in cognitive aging, the primary emphasis is on decline; in control processes as they produce impairments of access to existing knowledge, integration of new and existing information, and translation of knowledge into timely and adaptive action," (Craik & Bialystok, 2006, p. 136., Broderick & Blewitt, 2015).

On the other hand, the case worker investigated and substantiated the report, citing the son's interference with services and the couple's own inability to provide adequate care for each other. This behavior calls the attention and needs to be investigated. "For some caregivers, there may be financial benefits associated with caregiving, as well as, when the primary caregiver anticipates having some priority in the patient's will," (Broderick & Blewitt, 2015).

Considering John and Lydia's cognitive and physical limitations and the lack of their son to take care of them appropriately, I would suggest using one of the many options "Long Term Care," since it is provided at home, in the community, or in various types of facilities.

Nevertheless, since the bedrooms and bathroom are in the second floor and their physical conditions have impaired them to maintain their home, as a protective service worker, I could suggest placing them in one of the "Long Term Care" services.

For example, Assisted Living, where they would have a 24-hour supervision, assistance, meals and health care services in a home-like setting, or a Nursing Home. Having them both live in an environment surrounded with people around their age group, makes them become more active. Active in the sense that other people living under a "home-like" setting, may feel the same way as John and Lydia do.

They may be of the same generation and have more things in common. This stimulates conversation and may help with dementia. Since no one of their children or other siblings have care of them, I believe the most feasible option would be to place them in a Nursing Home, they provide skilled nursing care, rehabilitation services, meals, activities, help with daily living, and supervision. They would feel important and assisted, which is what they need at their age.

#2

In the case of Lydia and John, a couple who has been together many decades and are now in the stage of development where they are facing the familiar decline in physical and mental abilities. John and Lydia are beginning to lose their ability to function independently. They are having to rely on each other as well as support from their children who are also older in age, facing illnesses of their own, and limited functionality as well. The life span developmental theory defines the development process as adapting to the constant flux of influences in our lives (Broderick & Blewitt 2015).

This couple is having to adapt to no longer being able to function as they used to. They are not able to utilize their entire home and are restricted to only the downstairs area. They are not able to use a clean and working bathroom and instead having to use a bucket. They are no longer sleeping comfortably in their beds.

John has fallen multiple times and in turn has diminished his physical function significantly more. This couple is adapting to the concept of "regulation of loss." This phase of adapting involves reorganizing they way we respond to our environment. It is adjusting expectations and accepting a lower level of functioning (Broderick & Blewitt 2015).

I feel that it would be effective to have John and Lydia assessed by a professional to determine if they suffer from any mental decomposition. As it was noted that they both collectively have become confused and forgetful. It is not uncommon to to experience forgetfulness and confusion in the ederly years, however these issues can sometimes stem from a deeper issue such as dementia, or Alzheimer's disease. I would also need to know to what capacity the couple's children are looking after them, and if it is efficient in aiding their development. If not, I would suggest the care of a professional on an around the clock basis.

As a protective social worker, it would me my responsibility to provide resources for the couple that will assist with their physical, mental, and environmental development. One recommendation that I would provide is for the son's not to decline in home health. It is obvious that they are in desperate need of care by a professional. I would also suggest assistant living homes that would allow John and Lydia to have access to care by nurses and doctors.

Both of these options would allow definite medical care for both John and Lydia. The option of an assistant living apartment would also be a more ideal and comfortable living situation as these apartments are specifically for the elderly community. My final recommendation would be that John and Lydia exhaust and federal assistance that caters to the well-being for the elderly.