Issues in Practicing Social Work with Adults - Coursework Example

ISSUES IN PRACTICING SOCIAL WORK WITH ADULTS of In mental health, dementia refers to a condition where the mental capabilities or capacity of the affected individual are severely impaired. Nathan and Webber (2010, p. 15) say that condition is also characterized by gradual loss of personality and intellectual capacity. Dementia usually emanates from the aging process which causes damage to brain cells and neurons. It is therefore apparent that the care of individuals with dementia requires social workers to employ proper approaches to care and adhere to the professional ethics and guiding framework to ensure quality in care and satisfaction of the patient and his or her family and friends. More significantly though is the diversity which is inevitably experienced within social care processes. This diversity is in form of the differences among patients in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, physical and mental condition, social cultural affiliation, economic status, beliefs and values (Webb, 2009, p. 308). It is in this regard that the care of elderly patients with dementia must put into consideration the differences among patients so that their unique needs can be understood during the assessment to allow for the implementation of the most appropriate intervention for quality care. This section of the paper gives a critical analysis and discussion of the various issues which arise within social care for patients with dementia with due consideration of the diversity and the related differences among patients. The measures which should be taken to effectively address these issues are also highlighted and explained. Ahmed-Mohamed (2011, p. 7) explains that acculturation is one of the significant issues which social workers face in care for patients with mental health conditions such as dementia. This is due to the differences in attitudes and behavior of members of various ethnicities has towards care. For example, it is said that the minority cultures are less likely to seek mental health care as compared to the dominant ethnic group (Manthorpe and Iliffe, 2009, p. 232). As a result social care providers are mandated to understand the cultural factor because it defines the success of care to a large extent. Cultural values of a group define the behavior of dementia patients towards care. Nathan and Webber (2010, p. 20) demonstrate that ethnic minorities are more predisposed to mental illnesses as compared to the majority within a given society or population. This results from the social conditions and associated diseases and living environment which affect mental wellbeing. It is because of this that social workers should have a critical understanding how different individuals with dementia are affected by the cultural values and its significance to care. This will in turn promote the application of appropriate intervention which is congruent with the varying needs of members of different cultural and social groups. Cognitive issues and barriers are common among patients with dementia during the processes of care. As a result, it is important for social workers to appreciate the fact that social cultural factors determine the conceptions of patients and their relatives to care. For example, the cognition of the relationship between mental disorders and physical health varies among different social cultural groups. The mind and the body would be viewed as different entities by one society and yet as one element of human living by another society (Kaplan and Berkman, 2011, p. 361). The cognitive conception of dementia by patients is therefore determined by the social cultural beliefs and values. It is therefore mandatory for social workers to put into consideration the impact of social cultural values on the cognitive conception of dementia during the needs assessment stage of care. Sanders and Swails (2011, p. 129) explains that the cognitive conceptualization of dementia and mental conditions in general determines the approach that is applied by social workers and health providers in the management of the condition and meeting the needs of the patients. More significantly is the realization that social cultural beliefs determine the manner in which people think about the process of cure or treatment (Jose, 2010, p. 248). Patients with dementia have different health needs which are defined by their gender identities. For example the needs of a male aged male patient are most likely to differ from the needs of the female counterparts. These needs include issues such as privacy, approach to care, communication and involvement of the patient and relatives in the processes of social care (Ahmed-Mohamed, 2011, p. 10). The understanding of patient needs by a social care provider will ensure that they are met in accordance to the needs of the patient. This will promote the achievement of patient centered care objectives. For instance a female patient may require to be cared for by a fellow female health care provider. This results from the beliefs of patients that a care giver with whom they share gender orientation is likely to achieve better understanding of their needs (Manthorpe and Iliffe, 2009, p. 233). The process of social care should be approached in a non-discriminatory manner so that patient care is not biased in regard to gender identity. What are important therefore are the needs of patients. This is important because the nature of dementia requires that patients are cared with utmost compliance to their needs. More importantly, patients may reveal a confused state where they are not able to convey their needs appropriately. In such situations, social workers must be able to evaluate patients in terms of their identities and differences such as gender so that an accurate determination of needs is achieved for proper intervention in care. Issues of class and economic standing of patients with dementia have a direct impact on the approaches used in the management of the mental condition. Nathan and Webber (2010, p. 18) explain that health care seeking behavior varies depending on the social economic standing of the mental health patients. For example, it is postulated that members of lower social class such as homeless immigrants are less likely to seek care. When they do seek care, the propensity of dropping out of the care process is high among this group (Kaplan and Berkman, 2011, p. 362). This results to the conception of patients on the effectiveness of care and their ability to afford the health care process. It is therefore very necessary for social workers to have an understanding of patient needs during the assessment process which is based on their social economic standing. This will promote the application of various interventions such as encouragement of patients and their relatives to continue with the care. This can be achieved by demonstrating how effective the health care processes are in achieving mental health and wellbeing among patients. Sanders and Swails (2011, p. 130) point out that regardless of the social economic standing of patients with dementia, social care provision should never be discriminatory. Social care workers are therefore mandated to stick to the ethical framework of care and the standards of practice which provides for equality and indiscriminate care for all. According to Webb (2009, p. 315), the diversity among patients with dementia defines their values which in return determine the manner in which they achieve emotional expression of feelings and needs. For example different ethnic and racial groups have either individualistic or collective values which define their needs, communication and relationship with social workers. It is therefore through the understanding of the diverse values of patients with dementia and their relatives that social workers will be able to assess their needs with accuracy and meet them through the most appropriate interventions (Kaplan and Berkman, 2011, p. 364). Through communication, the needs of patients are met. Social workers would therefore communicate to the patients or their relatives depending on the level of mental impairment within the patients. The varying values of patients also determine the level into which they achieve trust for the social care providers and the health care systems in general. This therefore acts to influence the accuracy with which the care interventions are congruent with the specific needs of each patient (Sanders and Swails, 2011, p. 135). Mental and physical disabilities would be expressed within specific patients at the same time depending off the diverse differences among these patients. Ahmed-Mohamed (2011, p. 14) explains that the psychological components that are attached to physical disability would include the propensity of patients to believe that they are being discriminated upon. It is because of this that social workers must demonstrate unbiased care for patients and provide them with assurance about the care process. Additionally, social care providers must not demonstrate power over patients especially those who have a combination of dementia and physical disorders. The patients and their relatives should be able to feel that they are in control about the care given. This means that patient consent must be given for various medical interventions and care. This is in line with the standards, ethics and legal obligations of care givers. Additionally, social care providers should not demonstrate any form of abuse to the patients regardless of their mental and physical conditions. The importance of patient centered care should be valued so that patients are allowed to feel more in control and significant players in health care process. It is therefore important that the needs of patients are prioritized in care. The goals and objectives of the care provision in dementia should therefore be aimed at meeting the needs of patients in a holistic manner including possible physical needs. Kaplan and Berkman (2011, p. 362) illustrate that dementia is proportionally linked with the aging process. This means that social workers who care for patients with dementia are commonly involved with aged patients. Therefore, social workers must be equipped with relevant knowledge, skills and experience of working with aged patients with mental disorders so that they would appropriately apply them in provision of quality care (Sanders and Swails, 2011, p. 132). Elderly patients with mental disability especially dementia which is associated with deterioration of mental capabilities, have specific and unique needs which must be met by social workers. Among the needs that social workers must meet in the care of these patients include bathing and dietary needs. Manthorpe and Iliffe (2009, p. 232) explain that special and unique needs of elderly patients with dementia such as activities that enhance cognition must be met appropriately by social worker in relation to differences among the patients. For instance a social worker would be involved in storytelling or reading stories to an elderly patient with dementia. This illustrates that a lot of determination and commitment is needed on the side of social workers so that the objectives and goals of health care interventions are met appropriately and satisfactorily (Nathan and Webber, 2010, p. 15). For the interventions of social care for patients with dementia to achieve effectiveness and success, the needs assessment of patients must consider the multiple needs of patients as defined by their differences (Webb, 2009, p. 312). It is therefore necessary that the social cultural, ethnic, racial, gender, age and economic status of patients are considered by social workers in assessing and meeting the needs of these patients. Additionally, cooperation among social workers and with patients and families is necessary for quality of care. This means that all forms of communication must be encouraged to promote the understanding of different needs of these patients (Jose, 2010, p. 250). These needs can be achieved through communication with relatives of the patient especially close members of the family. Collaboration among social workers will also facilitate care. This collaboration should be achieved through consultations in patient assessment and in meeting the needs of patients such as requests for specific s care providers. It is recommended for more scientific research to be conducted in the care of dementia patients based on their diverse attributes or characteristics. Through a scientific research, the application of evidence based practice in social work will be achieved. The social workers will be able to employ the most appropriate approaches t care which is based on scientific theory and practice. More importantly, scientific research will contribute to the understanding of different cultural values and the needs of patients of different gender, ethnicity, race and beliefs. In line with this recommendation, governments should invest more in health care research by funding research initiatives, organizations and programs. Moreover, it is recommended for policies on mental health to be designed with the aim of ensuring that the health system appropriately meets the diverse needs of different racial groups, cultures, minorities, gender and age groups. Policies which promote programs for social awareness on mental health are also recommended. This will promote the level of health seeking among patients with mental conditions such as dementia. The role of the society, families and the patients in the process of care will be highlighted through such programs which will promote the general effectiveness of care for patients with mental disorders and conditions. In the light of the above discussion and illustrations, it is conclusive that diversity plays a significant role in the social work directed at the care of patients with dementia. It is now clear that social workers should be able to ensure that the needs of patients with dementia are effectively assessed depending on their gender, race, ethnicity, age, social economic standing, beliefs and values. It is through this understanding that the health care interventions for patients with dementia and the objectives and goals of the treatment can be met effectively. More importantly, the ethics and standard of care must be adhered to by social workers to ensure that there is no discrimination in care. Moreover the social workers must be committed and determined to apply their skills, knowledge and experience to meet the unique needs of patients with dementia which is normally proportionate with the aging process and the resultant mental deterioration. Bibliography Ahmed-Mohamed, K 2011, Social work practice and contextual systemic intervention: improbability of communication between social work and sociology, Journal of Social Work Practice, 25, 1, pp. 5-15 Jose, J 2010, Rethinking social work ethics: what is the real question? Responding to Stephen Webbs ‘Against difference and diversity in social work’, International Journal Of Social Welfare, 19, 2, pp. 246-252 Kaplan, D, and Berkman, B 2011, Dementia care: A global concern and social work challenge, International Social Work, 54, 3, pp. 361-373 Manthorpe, J, and Iliffe, S 2009, Changing the Culture of Social Work Support for People with Early Dementia, Australian Social Work, 62, 2, pp. 232-244 Nathan, J, and Webber, M 2010, Mental Health Social Work and the Bureau-Medicalisation Of Mental Health Care: Identity In A Changing World, Journal Of Social Work Practice, 24, 1, pp. 15-28 Sanders, S, and Swails, P 2011, A Quest for Meaning: Hospice Social Workers and Patients with End-Stage Dementia, Social Work, 56, 2, pp. 129-140 Webb, SA 2009, Against difference and diversity in social work: the case of human rights, International Journal Of Social Welfare, 18, 3, pp. 307-316 Read More