SOCW 6060 Reflection Questions: The Parker Family

SOCW 6060 Reflection Questions: The Parker Family

SOCW 6060 Reflection Questions: The Parker Family

1. What specific intervention strategies (skills, knowledge, etc.) did you use to address this client situation?

I encouraged Sara and Stephanie to work together in clearing out the apartment with the common goal of being able to remain in their apartment. Sara and Stephanie thus both had some control in the cleaning and the choice of items to be discarded. I developed a rapport with Jane and was able to enlist her help in cleaning. I explored alternative housing options for both Sara and Stephanie. I also improved Sara’s outpatient psychiatric care by arranging treatment with a geriatric psychiatrist. SOCW 6060 Reflection Questions: The Parker Family.

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2. Which theory or theories did you use to guide your practice?

Family therapy and engagement was essential in encouraging Sara and Stephanie to work together in cleaning the apartment and in obtaining the assistance of Jane in the process.

3. What were the identified strengths of the client(s)?

Stephanie was organized and kept her living area clean. She was working part-time and was training to become a cashier. Sara was attending a senior day program regularly. Sara and Stephanie were willing to work together and were open to suggestions and making changes.

4. What were the identified challenges faced by the client(s)?

Sara and Stephanie were at risk of removal from their apartment. Sara had poor insight into her hoarding, which made cleaning up the apartment very challenging. Sara was estranged from Jane, which was the only close family member who could be of assistance in participating in an intervention to clean the apartment.

5. What were the agreed-upon goals to be met to address the concern?

Sara and Stephanie made the decision to work together to clean up the apartment with the goal of being able to remain living in their apartment. Sara gave me permission to contact Jane with the intention of enlisting her help in cleaning up the apartment. Sara also agreed to neuropsychological testing and changed her outpa­ tient psychiatric treatment. Both Stephanie and Sara agreed to each keep one favorite cat, and Stephanie would look for homes for the remaining cats.

6. Did you have to address any issues around cultural competence? Did you have to learn about this population/group prior to beginning your work with this client system? If so, what type of research did you do to prepare?

There were no cultural issues that needed to be addressed.

7. What local, state, or federal policies could (or did) affect this case?

Adult Protective Services was monitoring this family and had the authority to remove them from their apart­ ment if the situation was deemed dangerous or if the family was unable to clean the apartment and improve living conditions. Intensive Case Management services were put in place by Adult Protective Services to assess the needs of the family and to develop a plan and resources to meet these needs. An Intensive Case Manager met with the family weekly to address a variety of issues and actively begin implementing planned interventions. SOCW 6060 Reflection Questions: The Parker Family.

8. How would you advocate for social change to positively affect this case?

There is tremendous pressure placed on hospitals by insurance companies to discharge patients within a short prescribed time. This poses a serious challenge for social workers, who often are responsible for discharge planning. There are ethical questions such as whether a patient is truly prepared for discharge and whether their discharge plan is optimum or hastily planned.

9. Were there any legal or ethical issues present in the case? If so, what were they and how were they addressed?

Adult Protective Services was monitoring this family and had the authority to remove them from their apart­ ment if the situation was deemed dangerous. Intensive Case Management services were put into place by Adult Protective Services to assess the needs of the family. As the Intensive Case Manager, I met with the family weekly to address a variety of issues and develop a plan and appropriate interventions.

10. How can evidence-based practice be integrated into this situation?

Utilizing family therapy and engaging an estranged family member was essential to working with this family. Utilizing cognitive and behavioral therapy helped Sara finally acknowledge the condition of the apartment and prepared her to begin throwing out or giving away items to create a clean, habitable apartment.

11. Is there any additional information that is important to the case?

As their social worker, I reached out to an estranged family member and was eventually able to enlist her support. I was able to improve the quality of Sara’s psychiatric treatment by arranging neuropsychological testing and treatment with a geriatric psychiatrist. I explored housing and community, local, and state resources.

12. Describe any additional personal reflections about this case.

I have concerns regarding Sara living alone, even with home care services in place. Sara will also need a follow-up appointment with the neurologist to determine if she is experiencing symptoms of early dementia.