Social Worker Case Study
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1.  A Person with a Problem

      Mrs. W., a 63-year-old hospice client in the final stage of terminal lung cancer wishes to die at home as opposed to in the hospitals terminal ward.  She is completely bedridden and very weak, unable to tend to any bodily function or even to change her position unaided. Her medication delivery is via a permanent sodium drip and shunt. Mrs. W requires professionally administered, restricted medication for pain control every three hours. These services are provided by a ministry sponsored support team who will tend to her physical and medical needs for four hours of the day between the hours of 9:00 and 24:00.

     Mrs. W's life expectancy is immediate to possibly ten days; the province will not allow any extra expenditure for client services. She must now choose between being alone in her home at night and dying in the hospital.

2.  Client:

     a) What does the client see as their need?

     The client wishes to have a care provider for the hours she is without home support, be cause she is afraid of dying alone.

     b) What values or beliefs does the client feel that relate to this need?

     The client believes that a person has the right to die with dignity, peace and in the home they have lived in.

     c) How does the client think they should be helped?

Mrs. W thinks that the community health services, public nurses or the trained hospice staff should stay with her for the time she needs them; not a time regulated by the ministry or a director.

3.  Social Worker:

a) What needs of the client seem to be present from the point of a professional     social worker?

The clients needs are for extended care, be it professional or volunteer.  Her physical needs are crucial.  She also needs companionship to combat fear and loneliness.

     b) What values or beliefs would a social worker use in helping the client?

A social worker would regard the well being and needs of her client as the primary obligation.

     c) How would a professional social worker help this client?

       A professional social worker would research and avail themselves of any and all community resources for their client. The social worker could contact hospice groups, local church volunteer groups, day visiting committees and the community volunteer organizations.

4.  Others:

a)  Besides the client, are there any other persons involved?  What might their needs be?

There are no other persons involved.

b) What values or beliefs do these other people have in having their needs fulfilled?

c)  How do these people think they should be helped?

d) How might a professional social worker help these people?

5.  Private/Public Issue:

a) Private:

1) What is one private trouble that your client is having?   Please state why it is a private problem.  Clarify as necessary.

; One of the client’s Private problems is her overwhelming fear of facing death alone. This fear is directly related to her religious beliefs and personal convictions.

2) How might a social worker provide help? 

A social worker could provide help by approaching a volunteer bureau or a local church group to find a qualified individual to provide companionship.

b) Public:

1) What is one public issue that your client has or is having?  Please state why it is a public problem. Clarify as necessary.

The client’s public issue is the lack of funding provided at a provincial level for hospice patients. It is a public problem because it effects society and the terminally ill in our society.

2) How might a social worker help in addressing public issues?

A social worker could launch a public awareness campaign, through education you could get the public involved in lobbying for change or creating a stronger volunteer base.

Other Notes in this Category

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2. Social Worker Case Study

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