SOCW 6210 Wk7 Discussion Post Response

SOCW 6210 Week 7 discussion post responses.

Respond to the colleagues posts in one of the following ways:

· From a strength's perspective, critique your colleague's approach to addressing Francine's case. Provide support for your critique.

· Critique your colleague's strategy for applying knowledge of the aging process to work with older clients. Discuss how cultural, ethnic, and societal influences might affect the application of this strategy.

MB’s post states the following:Top of Form

•Explain key life events that have influenced Sara's relationships. Be sure to substantiate what makes them key in your perspective.

Sara is a 72 year old widow . Sara losing her husband years ago is a key life event. The remaining spouse faces many emotional and practical problems after their spouse dies (Zastrow  & Kirst-Ashman, 2016).  This event of a spouse dying is a big event it plays a part in someone’s social life. A spouse is often times someone’s best friend and now they are faced to living without their best friend. Sara may be feeling alone and isolates herself this may be why she does not like going to the senior center. Zastrow (2016) states, “Widowed people of both sexes have higher rates of depression and mental illness than married people” (p700). This could explain her depression and other physical issues. Another key event that may influence Sara’s relationships is her strained relationship with her daughter. They do not have the best relationship and they often argue about the issue of  Sara’s hoarding.

•Explain how you, as Sara's social worker, might apply a theory of successful aging to her case. Be sure to provide support for your strategy.

As Sara’s social worker I would apply Activity Theory . Activity Theory  would keep Sara busy and keep her engaged physically and mentally. I would encourage Sara to stay active in going to the senior center or maybe finding her something else to do socially.  I would also help find Sara companion services someone to engage with socially even at home and maybe help her clean up her home some. Activity theory believes that the more active people are the more successful they age (Zastrow  & Kirst-Ashman, 2016). This theory may not keep Sara from ever being depressed but it would keep her going so that she would just sit home with her cats and be sad.

Reference

Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., Brocksen S. (Eds.). (2014). Sessions: Case histories. Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing. [Vital Source e-reader]. "The Parker Family" (pp. 6-8)

 

Zastrow, C. H., & Kirst-Ashman, K. K. (2016). Understanding human behavior and the social environment (10th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.  Chapter 15, "Psychological Aspects of Later Adulthood" (pp. 685-714)

RR’s Post states the following

· Key life events that have influenced Sara's relationships. 

Sara is a 72-year-old widow. The death of her husband was one major key life event that influenced Sara’s behavior and her relationship with other people. Sara’s relationship with her daughter Stephanie became strained with constant arguments. Her younger daughter and grandchildren are estranged due to Sara’s behaviors and hoarding (Plummer, Makris, & Brocksen, 2014). According to Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman (2016) assert that the loss of a spouse can be traumatic and can cause “emotional and practical problems” in additions to changes to the surviving spouse’s social life (p. 699). Sara started excessively shopping and eventually hoarding after the death of her spouse, most likely as a way to keep busy, as staying busy helps individuals adjust to the idea of being a widow (Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman, 2016). She also acquired cats to possibly help alleviate feelings of loneliness.  

· Explain how you, as Sara's social worker, might apply a theory of successful aging to her case. 

 As Sara’s social worker, I would apply the Activity Theory to her case, which indicates that individuals who are physically and mentally active will age successfully since increased activity helps promote positive functions in older adults (Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman, 2016). Sara already attends a treatment day program several times per week. This program not only helps with her depression, but also serves as a way for Sara to socialize and interact with other seniors. I would also assist Sara in identifying potential hobbies of interest and encourage her to look-up, enroll, and attend a class at the local recreation center in her city. In addition, I would assist Sara and her family with communication and additional counseling sessions to help restore their relationship so that Sara can interact more with her grandchildren. Having more contact with her grandchildren may help Sara become more physically active around them and improve her mood level.

References:

Plummer, S.B., Makris, S., Brocksen, S. (Eds.). (2014). Sessions: Case histories. Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing. [Vital Source e-reader]. “The Parker Family”.

Zastrow, C. H., & Kirst-Ashman, K. K. (2016). Understanding human behavior and the social environment (10th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage.

CG’s post states the following:

In the Parker case, Sara has several factors that influence her relationships.  Sara is 72 years old. She suffered a tragic loss with the death of her husband. Sara has been diagnosed with depression and has developed some unhealthy coping skills. She has began hoarding and housing cats (Plummer, Makris & Brocksen, 2014). In Sara's case, it is beneficial Sara to participate in more activities outside of the home in order to influence healthier coping skills. As a social worker, activity theory can be applied to Sara's case. "The activity theory asserts it is beneficial for older people to be physically and mentally active"(Zastrow  & Kirst-Ashman, 2016).  With the activity theory, this will allow, Sara the opportunity to participate in programs outside of her home and encourage her to socialize with others. 

References:

Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., Brocksen S. (Eds.). (2014). Sessions: Case histories. Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing. [Vital Source e-reader]. "The Parker Family" (pp. 6-8)

Zastrow, C. H., & Kirst-Ashman, K. K. (2016). Understanding human behavior and the social environment (10th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.  Chapter 15, "Psychological Aspects of Later Adulthood" (pp. 685-714)