PSYCHOSOCIAL ASSIGNMENT

Psychosocial Assignment

Psychosocial Assignment

Introduction

Netty is a 74 year old lady. Three weeks ago Netty was admitted to a local hospital after a fall that resulted in an internal fracture of hip, not captured by X-rays, severe bruising and a degree of disorientation. Her Son Williams reported to the admissions team that Netty had tripped on the stairs. He also said that Netty had been quite forgetful for some time, and that more recently her moods had changed sometimes she would become quite angry and then almost childlike.

Netty is William's 76 year old Mother. She lives alone in her detached house since her Husband died five years ago. Netty was an active member of the Womens' Institute and enjoyed playing bridge with a group of friends until recently. Netty had a fall at home and was taken to hospital after her milkman heard her cries for help and called an ambulance. Netty sustained extensive bruising to her left hip, leg and shoulder, she had x-rays taken and a full examination but as no bony injury was found she was discharged home. Since the fall she has been reluctant to leave the house and usually sleeps in the armchair as she is afraid that she might fall down the stairs if she goes up to her bedroom. She does not like to bother her family so she tries to be cheerful when they visit. William calls in once a week to bring her shopping but he does not stay for long as he finds her increasingly repetitive conversation irritating. He cannot understand why she can remember things from his childhood in great detail yet she cannot recall what she has just said.

Anti-discrimination Practice

Ageing is associated with increasingly complex and often inter-related problems encompassing physical, psychological and social health. Older people tend to experience higher rates of chronic illness such as diabetes, heart disease or disability associated with strokes. When older people experience an acute episode of illness resulting from, for example flu or a fracture following a fall, not only is treatment more complex and based on a wider range of expertise and skills but recovery and recuperation and is often slower and longer. Grimley Evans (2001: 408) has identified the following characteristics of illness in later life:

Rapid deterioration if untreated

High frequency of multiple disease

Cryptic or non-specific presentation

High incidence of secondary complications

Frequent need for active rehabilitation

Frequent need for help in resettling in the community

While the health of older people has undoubtedly improved with people managing to remain healthier for longer, it is still the case that ageing is associated with increased risk of physical and mental disability. Such disability increases the vulnerability of older people to harm. While some risks are well recognised and documented, for example the increased risk that older people have of falling (Cryer/Patel, 2001), other risks have been recognised more recently.

In the UK there is a growing awareness of and literature on elder abuse and the risks of financial exploitation, emotional harm and violence from carers and others ...