Case Study Joe is 74 years old. He has had a stroke and has been admitted for respite care. Until this stroke, Joe was very active and able to care for both himself and his wife. Since a second stroke he has lost the ability to walk and speaks with difficulty. He is also incontinent at times. Joe is taking various medications and you have been told by his wife that she has had to hide his tablets in his food. On giving Joe his medicines he constantly spits them out. His wife says that’s why she hides his tablets in his food and that she expects the staff to do the same. The Care manager explains that the staff cannot do this with Joe’s food and that he is still capable of making his own decisions.

Read the case study and consider the following points:

1. What action could you take as a supervisor in this case?
2. What steps should be considered if Joe’s wife continues with this practice?
3. What should be done to ensure that Joe gets his medication, or shouldn’t anything be done?

It is rare that there is just one way to respond to a scenario or situation, so do not consider that the responses you have to the above scenario will be judged as right or wrong. Share your scenario with a work colleague or friend and ask them to tell you whether 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 assessor.