William Doe
Case Management
Paper details:
Task
1. Use the case study William Doe
2. Using the organisation, worker role and referral information relevant for case study, your task is to:
*Assume you are the case manager in the role described.
*Assume you are following a case management process as described in the generic model in your subject package.In your assessment, discuss how you would apply the overarching and practice functions of the case management model described in this subject, within the organisation and community context information provided. This includes reflective discussion on your approach to practice that focuses on decisions and reasons for practice, the effectiveness of your practice and alternative approaches, skills or techniques (to demonstrate critical thinking).
*Demonstrate a client-centred case management approach to practice.
*Clearly outline and describe the communication and advocacy skills you would use by giving specific examples.
Community Context Information: (the context and case study information is fictitious and have been developed for this assessment exercise.)
Echo Valley is a town of approximately 15,000 population surrounded by small mixed farming areas. Much of the local industry is related to agricultural supplies or supports and the general businesses required to support everyday living, like chemist, grocery stores, medical surgery, hairdresser, clothing and shoe stores, several charity shops, church organizations and community health centre etc. There are Department of Human Services – Centrelink and Community Services offices in town that are operated full time. There is also a small hospital that has no emergency department, but has approximately 12 general ward beds and a 20 bed nursing home incorporated into it. There is a medium support retirement village in town of 15 units that has recently been completed. The hospital runs a ‘day care’ program each day for the elderly between 9 am and 3 pm, with bus collection pick up and drop off and a general activity program. There are some private practitioners like physiotherapist, counselors and speech pathologists and a part time (2 days per week) Headspace service in town. The Department of Ageing Disability and Homecare (ADHC) operates full time with a staff of 3. There is also a local Community Options program with one full time time and one part time worker, attached to the local shire council. A volunteer meals on wheels program operates three days per week.
There are two local high schools – a public and a Catholic high school. There are also two local public schools, again, a public and Catholic school. School counselors for the Catholic schools travel from a nearby centre. There is a school counselor attached to the public schools but they are only available 3 days per week.
The mental health services are provided by a team that is located in another town, Apollos, one hour away. There is a regular public bus service, weekly, to Apollos, leaving Echo Valley at 8 am and returning at 6 pm on a Thursday. A Community Transport service is sometimes available by appointment at a low cost to consumers. The local library has some public computer internet access available.
Echo Valley has some seasonal work available during summer as some of the smaller agricultural farms produce fruit and vegetables and pickers and packers are required. There is also an abattoir in town but it operates intermittently due to fluctuations in market demand.
Rental properties are fairly costly at present because there is a major road reconstruction project occurring nearby and many contract workers have taken medium term leases locally as the project is expected to take 12 – 18 months to complete. There are limited Department of Housing properties available.
There are a number of informal groups in town, like sports clubs, ladies and craft groups, church based organizations and a Rotary Club. The local facilities include several parks, a swimming pool, public library and some good camping areas in the valley area just outside town. There is an increase in tourism often in summer as it is a pretty valley known for good bushwalking and camping opportunities and is located several hours drive from the city.
Much of the local population is of Anglo-Australian descent though with the contract road work, there has been an increase in the cultural and gender mix in the area. Several of the construction workers have relocated their young families to the area with them for the duration of the project.
Organisation, Referral and Worker Role Information –
For Case Study (William Doe) –
You work full time as a case manager for the Community Options Program (COP) at the Echo Valley Council. This program is funded through the Home and Community Care (HACC) program, which is a joint Australian, State and Territory Government initiative. The aims of the HACC funded programs are to support vulnerable people to be more independent at home and in the community and to reduce the potential or inappropriate need for admission to a residential care unit. The client group is older Australians, young people with a disability and their carers. The service provides case management to the client group.
You have access to a work vehicle to do home visits as part of your assessments and case management role. There is also a small amount of brokerage funding available. The client has undergone the initial screening process and been deemed eligible for the service. He was referred by his local doctor.
Note: You may find it helpful to do an internet search to find out more information about HACC and Community Options services.)
Mr William Doe is 82 years of age. He migrated to Australia from Greece when he was 40 years old and worked in the construction industry as a semi-skilled labourer until he was 60 years of age at which time he retired due to ongoing back problems.
Mr Doe married Jane Doe, an Anglo –Australian woman, five years after he migrated. Jane died in a car accident, 10 years after their marriage. Mr Doe has not remarried. William and Jane had two children, a daughter and a son. The daughter, Zelda, is now aged 35 years and lives with her family approximately 4 hours from Mr Doe. The son, John, is now aged 30 years. John is single and works overseas as a business executive. He rings Mr Doe regularly but is not often in the country to visit. Jane visits when she can but due to distance and having a family of youngish children (aged 5 – 10 years) she is often tied up with commitments in her home town.
William has been diagnosed with obstructive airways disease and recently with early stages of dementia. He uses an oxygen bottle at home when the disease is aggravated by an asthmatic episode, though can go out and undertake most normal activities at home that do not require exertion. He has a slipped disc in his back as well as degeneration of the spinal column. This results in ongoing pain and limited movement. He is unable to lift heavy weights or bend for long periods of time.
William’s grasp of spoken English is generally good though he has limited understanding of written English. He lives alone and is socially isolated. William appears slightly depressed in his presentation.
William has not had much contact with his neighbours in recent years: they are mostly younger people and families that have moved into the neighbourhood as the older residents have moved out into nursing homes, passed on, or sold up to buy smaller ‘retirement’ units and relocated. He lives in an older home that he owns but due to the limitations of his physical conditions, this has become run down, full of his things (including significant ‘hoarded’ items) and is not regularly cleaned. There is some concern that he is not eating appropriately given his early dementia. There are also concerns that William’s self funded retirement monies may be running out and he will soon need to consider the possibility of moving out of his home to receive a higher level of care.
William’s children are not really aware of how much William’s health and capacity to care for himself has deteriorated in the last year.
Rationale
This assessment item allows you to apply case management principles, theory and functions to practice. You need to put yourself in the role of a case manager in a human service agency.
It is important that the marker is able to identify your understanding and application of client centred practice principles and the functions of the generic case management model.
You will find completing at a minimum the following topics helpful before you commence assessment task 2. The topics are located on interact.
• Topic 5: Overarching Functions;
• Topic 6: Integrating community and informal supports;
• Topic 7: Phased functions;
• Topic 8: Organisational dimensions – intra and inter agency;
• Topic 9: Practitioner Roles and Responsibilities ; and
• Topic 10: Diverse Contexts and client groups.
This assessment task is aligned to the following objectives:
• Demonstrate the ability to apply the principles, theories and functions of case management to practice with vulnerable communities and individuals;
• Critique case management systems within agency and community contexts;
• Identify the roles and requisite base of skill, knowledge and theory for practitioners within case management systems; and
• Engage in reflective learning that supports continued professional education.
Presentation
This assignment must include an Introduction, Conclusion, and Reference List [not the same as a
Bibliography]. Students should structure the body of their paper using sub headings.Write in whole
sentences which should be structured appropriately into paragraphs. Bullet points are not
recommended. Proper in-text referencing must be observed;
Please submit as a word document and not as a PDF.
Requirements
You are required to provide an introduction, body and conclusion to your paper. This includes the use
of headings to signpost your work clearly.
It is recommended you visit the guidelines on critical thinking and assessment writing checklist under
assessment information in the subject outline.
In the role of Case Manager students will use the case study provided to discuss (describe and
interpret) the way they would conduct case management practice. They will demonstrate the
communication and advocacy skills they bring to the role, discuss the application of the generic case
management model with a client centred focus to the client cased study within the organisational
context identified. This includes discussion of potential tensions; strengths/limits to approaches.
Unlike usual practice reports, this case study paper will demonstrate how students have applied the
concepts and functions of this subject to their practice. This will be evidenced through the content and
critical reading/research in particular.
Task
1. Use the case study William Doe
2. Using the organisation, worker role and referral information relevant for case study, your task is to:
*Assume you are the case manager in the role described.
*Assume you are following a case management process as described in the generic model in your subject package.In your assessment, discuss how you would apply the overarching and practice functions of the case management model described in this subject, within the organisation and community context information provided. This includes reflective discussion on your approach to practice that focuses on decisions and reasons for practice, the effectiveness of your practice and alternative approaches, skills or techniques (to demonstrate critical thinking).
*Demonstrate a client-centred case management approach to practice.
*Clearly outline and describe the communication and advocacy skills you would use by giving specific examples.
Community Context Information: (the context and case study information is fictitious and have been developed for this assessment exercise.)
Echo Valley is a town of approximately 15,000 population surrounded by small mixed farming areas. Much of the local industry is related to agricultural supplies or supports and the general businesses required to support everyday living, like chemist, grocery stores, medical surgery, hairdresser, clothing and shoe stores, several charity shops, church organizations and community health centre etc. There are Department of Human Services – Centrelink and Community Services offices in town that are operated full time. There is also a small hospital that has no emergency department, but has approximately 12 general ward beds and a 20 bed nursing home incorporated into it. There is a medium support retirement village in town of 15 units that has recently been completed. The hospital runs a ‘day care’ program each day for the elderly between 9 am and 3 pm, with bus collection pick up and drop off and a general activity program. There are some private practitioners like physiotherapist, counselors and speech pathologists and a part time (2 days per week) Headspace service in town. The Department of Ageing Disability and Homecare (ADHC) operates full time with a staff of 3. There is also a local Community Options program with one full time time and one part time worker, attached to the local shire council. A volunteer meals on wheels program operates three days per week.
There are two local high schools – a public and a Catholic high school. There are also two local public schools, again, a public and Catholic school. School counselors for the Catholic schools travel from a nearby centre. There is a school counselor attached to the public schools but they are only available 3 days per week.
The mental health services are provided by a team that is located in another town, Apollos, one hour away. There is a regular public bus service, weekly, to Apollos, leaving Echo Valley at 8 am and returning at 6 pm on a Thursday. A Community Transport service is sometimes available by appointment at a low cost to consumers. The local library has some public computer internet access available.
Echo Valley has some seasonal work available during summer as some of the smaller agricultural farms produce fruit and vegetables and pickers and packers are required. There is also an abattoir in town but it operates intermittently due to fluctuations in market demand.
Rental properties are fairly costly at present because there is a major road reconstruction project occurring nearby and many contract workers have taken medium term leases locally as the project is expected to take 12 – 18 months to complete. There are limited Department of Housing properties available.
There are a number of informal groups in town, like sports clubs, ladies and craft groups, church based organizations and a Rotary Club. The local facilities include several parks, a swimming pool, public library and some good camping areas in the valley area just outside town. There is an increase in tourism often in summer as it is a pretty valley known for good bushwalking and camping opportunities and is located several hours drive from the city.
Much of the local population is of Anglo-Australian descent though with the contract road work, there has been an increase in the cultural and gender mix in the area. Several of the construction workers have relocated their young families to the area with them for the duration of the project.
Organisation, Referral and Worker Role Information –
For Case Study (William Doe) –
You work full time as a case manager for the Community Options Program (COP) at the Echo Valley Council. This program is funded through the Home and Community Care (HACC) program, which is a joint Australian, State and Territory Government initiative. The aims of the HACC funded programs are to support vulnerable people to be more independent at home and in the community and to reduce the potential or inappropriate need for admission to a residential care unit. The client group is older Australians, young people with a disability and their carers. The service provides case management to the client group.
You have access to a work vehicle to do home visits as part of your assessments and case management role. There is also a small amount of brokerage funding available. The client has undergone the initial screening process and been deemed eligible for the service. He was referred by his local doctor.
Note: You may find it helpful to do an internet search to find out more information about HACC and Community Options services.)
Mr William Doe is 82 years of age. He migrated to Australia from Greece when he was 40 years old and worked in the construction industry as a semi-skilled labourer until he was 60 years of age at which time he retired due to ongoing back problems.
Mr Doe married Jane Doe, an Anglo –Australian woman, five years after he migrated. Jane died in a car accident, 10 years after their marriage. Mr Doe has not remarried. William and Jane had two children, a daughter and a son. The daughter, Zelda, is now aged 35 years and lives with her family approximately 4 hours from Mr Doe. The son, John, is now aged 30 years. John is single and works overseas as a business executive. He rings Mr Doe regularly but is not often in the country to visit. Jane visits when she can but due to distance and having a family of youngish children (aged 5 – 10 years) she is often tied up with commitments in her home town.
William has been diagnosed with obstructive airways disease and recently with early stages of dementia. He uses an oxygen bottle at home when the disease is aggravated by an asthmatic episode, though can go out and undertake most normal activities at home that do not require exertion. He has a slipped disc in his back as well as degeneration of the spinal column. This results in ongoing pain and limited movement. He is unable to lift heavy weights or bend for long periods of time.
William’s grasp of spoken English is generally good though he has limited understanding of written English. He lives alone and is socially isolated. William appears slightly depressed in his presentation.
William has not had much contact with his neighbours in recent years: they are mostly younger people and families that have moved into the neighbourhood as the older residents have moved out into nursing homes, passed on, or sold up to buy smaller ‘retirement’ units and relocated. He lives in an older home that he owns but due to the limitations of his physical conditions, this has become run down, full of his things (including significant ‘hoarded’ items) and is not regularly cleaned. There is some concern that he is not eating appropriately given his early dementia. There are also concerns that William’s self funded retirement monies may be running out and he will soon need to consider the possibility of moving out of his home to receive a higher level of care.
William’s children are not really aware of how much William’s health and capacity to care for himself has deteriorated in the last year.
Rationale
This assessment item allows you to apply case management principles, theory and functions to practice. You need to put yourself in the role of a case manager in a human service agency.
It is important that the marker is able to identify your understanding and application of client centred practice principles and the functions of the generic case management model.
You will find completing at a minimum the following topics helpful before you commence assessment task 2. The topics are located on interact.
• Topic 5: Overarching Functions;
• Topic 6: Integrating community and informal supports;
• Topic 7: Phased functions;
• Topic 8: Organisational dimensions – intra and inter agency;
• Topic 9: Practitioner Roles and Responsibilities ; and
• Topic 10: Diverse Contexts and client groups.
This assessment task is aligned to the following objectives:
• Demonstrate the ability to apply the principles, theories and functions of case management to practice with vulnerable communities and individuals;
• Critique case management systems within agency and community contexts;
• Identify the roles and requisite base of skill, knowledge and theory for practitioners within case management systems; and
• Engage in reflective learning that supports continued professional education.
Your paper will be marked out of 60.
Intro 300 words
Individual assessment, service planning, implementation, monitoring and closure.
Explain who the client is (Age, gender, etc.)
Explain what the problem is (What was he diagnosed with, or what happened?)
Introduce your main argument (What should you as a case manager focus on or do?)
The following case study of a male client, Mr William Doe, is an eighty two year old Greek male originally from Greece. William is suffering from health, mental health, social and financial issues.
Para 1 – Individual Assessment – a brief client assessment, including a case history of the client considered in the study.
High risk screening:
Mr Doe is 82 years of ages
Ongoing back problems – slipped disc in his back – poor pain control
Previous home health and durable medical equipment usage – oxygen bottle
Dementia – chronic illness
Social issues – lives alone socially isolated
Poor nutritional status – not eating appropriately
Financial issues – retirement monies running out
Assessment and problem/opportunity identification
Reviewing the referral for Mr William Doe these are some of the problems I would like to address.
• Medical history – diagnosed with obstructive airways disease and early stages of dementia. Asthmatic, needs oxygen bottle when the disease is aggravated. Slipped disc in his back as well as degeneration of the spinal column. Ongoing pain and limited movement.
• Psychosocial behavioural – Slightly depressed in his presentation (isolation, living alone)
• Mental health – Wife died in car accident when Mr Doe was 55 years old.
• Cognitive
• Client strengths and abilities – unable to lift have weights or bend for long periods of time due to slipped disc and spinal injury.
• Environmental and residential–Lives alone, has had no contact with neighbours in recent years as they are mostly younger families. He owns own home but is restricted from his physical condition. House is untidy, not regularly cleaned and William has become hording items.
• Family or support system dynamics – 2 children 1 boy 1 girl.
Zelda 35 and lives 4hrs away. She visits when she can.
John 30, single works overseas, regular phone calls but not a lot of visits.
William’s family are not aware of his health and capacity to care for himself has deteriorated in the last year.
• Spiritual
• Cultural – Greece heritage. Migrated from Greece to Australia at 40 years. Limited understanding of written English.
• Financial – Retirement monies running out, may need to consider moving out
• History of substance use – none.
• History of abuse, violence,or trauma – Wife died in a car accident. Has not remarried.
• Vocational and/or educational–limited understanding of written English
Para 2–Service/Case Planning–Identify priority areas for needed services that have been identified in the assessment?
• A description of the specific actions which should be taken to reach these goals:
• Assessment of individual or mutual responsibility for meeting goals;
• The name of agencies to which the client will be referred and if possible, specific individuals within those agencies who will be contacted;
• Realistic time frames for completing activities;
• Identify barriers to service utilisation and delivery (eg admission criteria, service attitudes, client
Complete a health and psychosocial assessment taking into account cultural and linguistic of each client.
Para 3 – Implementation
Para 4 – Monitoring
Para 5 – Closure