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5 pages/≈1375 words
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5 Sources
Style:
APA
Subject:
Social Sciences
Type:
Essay
Language:
English (U.S.)
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Total cost:
$ 21.6
Topic:

Singapore Social Work: Life and End of Life Issues

Essay Instructions:

Question 1 (40 marks)
Anthony is a senior social worker in an eldercare social service agency. The center provides home-based palliative care for older adults who are terminally ill and who wish to spend their last several weeks or days at home wherever possible. As most of the team-mates are relatively new in the area of palliative care and support, Anthony was tasked to deliver a two-session continuing education. The 1ˢᵗ session aims to equip the staff members with an analysis of the ageing process in end of life, while the 2ⁿᵈ session is more skills and application-oriented in learning how to better engage older adults who are terminally ill. The overall objective of continuing education is to equip the staff members with knowledge and skills in working effectively with elderly clients at their end of life.
(a) Identify and describe the early and late signs of the end of life.
(10 marks)
(b) Select and analyse THREE (3) key theories that elucidate the illness experience and attempt to explain how the elderly might deal with later life and end of life issues.
(15 marks)
(c) Select and apply THREE (3) essential skills in working with older adults who are terminally ill at the end of life.
(15 marks)
Question 2 (30 marks)
Sally, a 75 year old elderly recently had a fall in her toilet and sustained a hip fracture. She was admitted into the hospital and underwent surgery. As she requested to see a Medical Social Worker, she was seen by Mark for counseling and financial assistance. Sally is worried that she does not have any savings. As such Mark did a financial assessment and tried to explore the relevant eldercare schemes that Sally might be eligible for. On top of that, he also did a depression screening and felt that it will cripple her recovery. As Sally lives alone in a small rental flat with another roommate, she has no caregiver to monitor her activities of daily living needs. Before the fall, Sally was receiving meals on delivery services. The church volunteers visit her on weekends for befriending. Her husband has passed away many years ago. Their only daughter, 30 years, currently lives alone and works overseas. Sally declined to reveal anything about her daughter, except that she receives her daughter’s monthly remittance. Mark was curious about who is managing the savings account but Sally felt that he is probing too much about her details. Sally expressed that she would like to return home as soon as possible.
Discuss Sally’s needs and illustrate how Mark may develop a care plan for Sally to ensure her needs are met. Your care plan will include THREE (3) main areas: Significant information; Key areas of concern; Specific plan of action.
(30 marks)
Question 3 (30 marks)
Paul, a 55-year old bachelor, lives with his 80-year old mother in a small fully paid apartment. Paul works as a control station manager in a rail company and earns a comfortable salary range to support himself and his mother. Both mother and son share a close relationship ever since Paul’s father passed away in a road traffic accident three years ago. Paul’s mother suffered depression as a result and lately, Paul notices she may have early signs of dementia with noticeable loss in short term memory and difficulty in performing familiar tasks such as her favourite pastime in sewing. Paul begins to worry about his mother who would be alone at home during day time when he is working. He tried to apply to an eldercare center but was asked to get a fuller report from a geriatrician on his mother’s condition and care requirement. The first appointment with the hospital specialist is in a month. Meanwhile, Paul continues to worry and begins to find himself distracted at work. He has also missed taking his hypertensive medication for a month. Paul has two younger siblings but he does not wish to trouble them as they are married and have their families.
(a) Explain Paul’s THREE (3) key challenges as a caregiver. You may assume additional hypothetical situations in Paul’s scenario to augment your answer.
(15 marks
(b) Amidst the backdrop of the increased longevity and to improve ageing-in-place, appraise Singapore’s policy response to strengthen the following THREE (3) areas:
i) Community eldercare;
ii) Workplace support, and
iii) Family Support to enable the elderly to age-in-place in the community.
(15 marks

Essay Sample Content Preview:

Singapore Social Work Eldercare
Your Name
Course and Section
Professor’s Name
April 28, 2023
Question 1 (40 marks)
Anthony is a senior social worker in an eldercare social service agency. The center provides home-based palliative care for older adults who are terminally ill and who wish to spend their last several weeks or days at home wherever possible. As most team-mates are relatively new in palliative care and support, Anthony was tasked to deliver a two-session continuing education. The first session aims to equip the staff members with an analysis of the aging process at the end of life. In contrast, the second session is more skills and application-oriented in learning how to engage better older adults who are terminally ill. The overall objective of continuing education is to equip the staff members with knowledge and skills in working effectively with elderly clients at their end of life.
(a) Identify and describe the early and late signs of the end of life.
(10 marks)
Patients nearing the end of life may exhibit early and late signs that indicate the progression toward the end of life. Early signs include declining physical health, where patients may experience increased fatigue, a need for more sleep and rest throughout the day, and a general decrease in energy levels. Another early sign is decreased appetite and weight loss. Older adults approaching the end of life may show a reduced interest in food, resulting in noticeable weight loss. This decline in appetite can be attributed to the body's decreased metabolism.
Additionally, social withdrawal is common among patients nearing the end of life. They may exhibit a decreased desire to connect with others and participate in social activities that were once enjoyable. Lastly, as the end of life approaches, patients may experience increased pain or discomfort related to their illness or condition. They may also have heightened sensitivity to pain, which can be challenging to manage.
In the later stages of the end of life, distinct signs indicate the imminent approach to death. These late signs include changes in vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate. Fluctuations in these vital signs can signify that the body's systems are gradually shutting down. Cognitive and neurological changes may also occur, with patients experiencing confusion, disorientation, or delirium. Communication and recognition of loved ones may become difficult. Respiratory changes are also evident, with irregular breathing patterns such as periods of apnea or agonal breathing. Breathing may become shallow or labored. Skin changes can be observed, with the skin feeling cool to the touch, appearing pale or mottled, and showing signs of increased moisture or perspiration. Decreased urine output and generalized weakness are other late signs, with the kidneys functioning less effectively and physical strength and mobility significantly declining.
(b) Select and analyze THREE (3) critical theories that elucidate the illness experience and attempt to explain how the elderly might deal with later life and end-of-life issues.
(15 marks)
Atchley's Continuity Theory:
In Atchley's Continuity Theory, older adults strive to maintain a sense of c...
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