Case Study

Mrs Yan is 81 and living on her own in a maisonette in a village setting. She is suffering from short-term memory loss and mild confusion; however, while she can she wishes to remain in her own home.There have been several reports that Mrs Yan has left all her doors unlocked and windows open when she has gone out of the house, and has also done so at night. As such, concerns have been expressed, by her family, for Mrs Yan’s safety at night. Her family live fairly locally and see their mother as often as possible, but due to other commitments are unable to visit her at night. It has therefore been decided that Mrs Yan needs someone to visit her in the late evening to ensure the doors and windows are secure for her safety.Kamila, Mrs Yan’s healthcare worker, now visits her for 1 hour each evening to ensure Mrs Yan’s doors and windows are secure, and all electrical appliances are safely off. Kamila is also able to ensure that Mrs Yan has eaten her meals and taken her prescribed medication. Kamila is able to utilise the care/support diaries to monitor whether Mrs Yan is showing any deterioration in her condition.On several occasions when Kamila has been off for the day and not visited, she finds Mrs Yan becomes very distressed, because the other carers don’t do things in the same way Kamila does, which Mrs Yan finds unsettling. 1. How could Kamila involve others in Mrs. Yan’s support? 2. Would Mrs. Yan benefit from a full-time carer? Should someone make the decision that she have one? 3. What might be the main reasons Mrs. Yan’s family do not care for her in her home? What kind of support could be provided for the family so that they can be involved in Mrs. Yan’s care and support? 4. If you were Kamila, how would you encourage Mrs. Yan to accept the other care workers, and what advice would you give the care workers? 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.