Family Protective Services : Abuse of Elderly and Ailing - Case Study Example

Family Protective Services caseworker Family Protective Services Case Worker Abuse of Mamie, who is an elderly and ailing Woman This case is an indication of abuse towards Mamie based on the several theories that are posed by Wallace while explaining abuse of the elderly. At her old age and in that condition, it is highly appropriate to judge that Mamie is being treated inappropriately. With her loss of memory as a result of her senility condition she needs more attention and supervision of a mature and responsible. The memory loss is progressive and with time she may experience a complete loss of memory. In addition to this, taking care of her requires intense attention due to her incapacitation owing to her degenerative arthritis condition. It is an indication that with time, she is likely to require the full and total care of an adult. As such, her son Meldrick with his condition will not be able to provide it maximally. This level of care cannot on the contrary be provided by his son who is suffering from paranoid schizophrenia. Based on the fact that he was discharged from his service, it shows that there are some capacity jobs that he is not capable of handling. Being paranoid may also negatively affect the mother who in her state also requires a lot of patience and understanding. The son who is also insisting on taking care of his aged and ailing mother is divorced. Although the cause of the divorce is unknown, it may be logically concluded that it occurred as a result of his condition. It is thus a reflection that he cannot hold meaningful close relationships with others and thus instead of being of maximum help to his mother, he will be a burden and will also need care of his own. This is in the sense that with the progressively deteriorating condition of his mother’s senility, factors that may be stressful may only serve as elevators of her conditions and not make any attempts to reduce them (Summers & Hoffman, 2006). Both of them are adults who need the physical and close care of others. As such Mamie’s son cannot be in an appropriate position to take proper care of his mother. This is in spite of the fact that he insists on taking care of her. Meldrick is abusing his mother in the sense that he is making attempts to deny her sufficient care and treatment that will make her condition better. The financial aid provided by Moira is not sufficient to take care of the two. Neither is the Social security and Medicare assistance provided for Mamie enough to take care of her medical needs. In addition to the financial support, they also need other aspects of care that include physical care, emotional care, appropriate social care and mental care. The possession of this facility is sufficient enough to make her access adequate and appropriate elderly care in addition to the relevant medical treatment for her condition (Summers & Hoffman, 2006). In this sense, as suggested by Moira, who is Mamie’s daughter it would be advisable to place their mother in a nursing care home since she will receive the adequate care that she needs and in turn leave room for Meldrick to take care of himself and not have to have the burden of taking care on an elderly person with mental illnesses which also presents a great challenge to him. The fact that she is aware of the inappropriate conditions that her mother is being subjected to but still delays in finding a solution for her is an abuse (Cook-Daniels, 2013). Some of the advantages of placing her in such a facility include the idea that she is handled by experienced and qualified personnel and professionals who have the skills and expertise of dealing with people in her condition. These include the diets, treatments as well as general handling. At most of the nursing care homes, especially for the aged, they also possess the proper facilities that will reduce the risks of alleviating the conditions of the aged individuals further. With this, she will be able to receive the proper care and attention she deserves (summers & Hoffman, 2006). The other situation that makes him not appropriate to take care of his mother is his age. At 59 years he may not be in a position to provide a lot of the required care for her. It is evidenced by the bruises to which he insists that, were caused as he attempted to lift his mother from the bed to the wheelchair and while helping her in and out of the car. It shows that many are the times that Mamie has experienced falls and struggles while taking part in these activities. However, it cannot also be truly ascertained that the falls are the result of the bruises. Being a family protective worker, it may be a sign that Meldrick at times causes physical abuse of his mother who due to her senile condition, is not able to recall most of the activities that happen to her. It is not recommended since with her arthritis that is progressively degenerating, such incidences may continue to affect her bones, which may ultimately continue to grow weaker. This is additional to the fact that he is male and thus is restricted to the activities that he can be engaged in within the care provision. Moreover, in this family, she is the only one who can be said to possess a stable state of mind and is therefore the sole person who can make sound decisions. She knows what is best for both her mother and her brother. From the observation about Mamie being seen in Meldrick’s car for extensive hours during the night as well as during winter when he visits OTB is an indication that the care she is receiving is insufficient. She needs full time care and cannot be taken care of by a person who also has different activities to attend to. This is especially when such activities extend into late hours or for days. This situation is a clear indication that Meldrick locks his mother out when he has other issues to attend to. With this, Mamie is forced to brace the cold or even stay hungry until Meldrick comes back. This is inappropriate as it may lead to the worsening of his condition. Meldrick seems to have a different schedule that cannot appropriately match that of his mother’s condition. It is shown in the way that he is out at some of the time when his mother may be in need of his care. For instance, they include circumstances when he is playing cards in church or has attended the bars for a drink. It by any chance he is not for the idea that his mother be placed in a nursing care home, then an alternative action such as the seeking of a home health care provider should be considered. It is because the financial aid provided by Moira and that given to Mamie cannot fully replace the services of a proper healthcare provider (Hart, 2002). It is clear that Meldrick is using his mother’s condition as an advantage for himself. He is thus making out an excuse from this case in the pretext of taking care of Mamie. In a real sense, it is clear that since he does not have any source of income he depends on this financial assistance to perform some of his activities such as having drinks. It is considered as abuse since it results in mismanagement of finances meant for other important activities and would thus be appropriate if the control and management of funds would be offered to an individual who is responsible and capable to manage it well (Cooke-Daniels, 2013). As a family protective services caseworker, it is recommendable that Mamie is placed in a nursing care home where she can also interact with fellow aged persons who are experiencing similar conditions to hers. With this, she will be able to have adequate company that helps to reduce her level of loneliness and help her regain a positive attitude towards the future (Hart, 2002). References Cook-Daniels, L. (2013). Lesbian, Gay Male, Bisexual and Transgendered Elders: Elder Abuse and Neglect Issues. Retrieved 28 January 2014 from http://www.survivorproject.org/elderabuse.html Hart, A. (2002). How to stop elderly abuse: a prevention guidebook: what steps you can take now. San Jose: Writers Club Press. Summers, W. Randal, Hoffman, M. A & American Public Health Association. (2006). Elder abuse: a public health perspective. Washington, DC: American Public Health Association. Read More