case study

Mrs. Winnie Smith is a 74-year-old who participates in a local adult day care program. Mrs. Smith has been participating for the last 2 years at the facility with little decline noted. She is a retired teacher and enjoys talking with other residents that attend activities at the facility. Her intake record lists her medical history as having mild hypertension and osteoporosis. Recently, one of the staff at the facility notices that Mrs. Smith has been having difficulty swallowing during meals and snacks. She mentions it to her manager, who places a call to Mrs. Smith’s son, Phillip, her primary caretaker. Phillip asks, “Is this something I should take her to the doctor for, or is it normal?