Case Study

Graeme's father is only 75 years old. He can no longer walk, dress, toilet or feed himself and most of his speech is incomprehensible wurzel-gummidge-eze 'Remee, remeye, remoo' or '123, 23, 23, 123.' He has a beautiful singing voice and during Songs of Praise everyone stops to listen to him sing. Graeme visits his Dad and tells him he love him very much. His dad always replies 'Thank you, that's nice' in his typical modest way. It's a part of him that is still there. He tells his father, 'Mum will be so jealous when I tell her I've been to visit you today!' and then he adds (so his dad won't become anxious and fretful later) 'So she'll probably come and visit you herself!' His dad raises one eyebrow and smiles back in that shared jokey way they've always had. 1. Think about all the different ways in this situation that the man in the case study tries to communicate. 2. What communication skills does he have problems with? 3. What is positive about the son’s communication with his father and why? It is rare that there is just one way to respond to a scenario or situation, so do not consider that the response you have chosen to this scenario will be judged as right or wrong. Share your scenario with a work colleague and ask them to tell you if they think you have responded appropriately. Ask them to challenge your response if necessary. You do not need to submit this task for assessment unless asked to do so by your tutor.