Case Study

Dante Cillo Case Study

Chapin, R. C., Nelson-Becker, H., Gordon, T., & Terrebonne, S. (2002). Elder abuse assessment

resource. University of Kansas: School of Social Welfare.

The Agency

You are a social worker in the State Department of Social Services- Adult Protective Services

Division. Your agency is mandated to respond to reports of elder abuse and neglect and to

implement a treatment plan for such vulnerable adults in the community. The agency refers

clients for a variety of medical and mental health services and can also remand clients to the

court system for mandatory placements.

The Client System

Dante Cillo is an 82-year-old man who lived with his wife until her death last year in a private

house in the suburbs of South Carolina. Mr. Cillo is suffering from congestive heart failure and

arthritis. He is not strong enough to perform certain activities of daily living including cleaning,

shopping, and cooking. He tires easily and has chronic pain. His physical condition is

deteriorating, and it is apparent that within the next several months he will require additional

supportive services, including help with personal hygiene and physical mobility. Mr. Cillo has

been paying for a home attendant to come in twice a week to assist with shopping, cleaning,

and cooking. The cost of $100 per week has been drawn from his savings account. His income

consists of his retirement pension and a Social Security check which total $1850 per month,

plus a small amount of interest from approximately $200,000 in savings. His only other asset is

the house, valued at approximately $175,000. Mr. Cillo's daughter, Mary Martinis is concerned

her father is giving away his money to her brother, Frank. Frank is a shoe salesman. He has

asked his father to move in with him. Frank is not married and lives alone. Frank is described as

a gambler by his sister, Mary. She is concerned Frank will spend all of the father's money and

the father will not have funds for his care needs. She wants the Department of Social Services

to protect her father (whom she believes is being financially exploited by her brother) and to

stop her father from moving in with Frank.

Key concepts

Caregiver

Passive neglect

Active neglect

Self-determination

The right to choose