Question

Read the following case study. What knowledge and skills does Travis have that can complement the role of Bethany and the service manager?

Case study 1: Travis
Travis is a young carer and the primary carer for his mother, Trudi, whose condition has begun to deteriorate over the past few months.

Some of Trudi’s friends provide assistance by cooking meals and doing some of the housework. Her friends have come to know her food preferences well and together have developed a menu list for each week to ensure she eats a balanced diet, based around her preferred foods.

Travis provides constant supervision and guidance for Trudi and has an almost intuitive awareness of her emotional and physical needs.

Travis is finding it hard to maintain his social network and keep up with his schoolwork and is thinking about dropping out of school completely.

Bethany provides ongoing support to Travis and his mum, and they have begun talking about longer term options for Trudi to move into an out-of-home care situation and how Travis feels about no longer taking on the full time caring responsibilities for her.

Travis often comments that he feels a bit like someone who has grown up before his time and that many of his former friendship group simply don’t understand why he can’t come down to the beach with them at a moment’s notice. They simply don’t realise how demanding caregiving is, and why it is important that Travis spend the bulk of his time at home, in case he is needed.

Lately, he has noticed that his friends have simply stopped ringing or texting him at all. Travis says that one of his friends has told him it’s just not normal for a young person to be caring for his mother. Bethany listens carefully to Travis and then makes some comments to check she has understood him correctly. They then begin to talk about what he might decide to do in the future.

Bethany shows Travis some information, application forms and eligibility criteria guidelines about an out-of-home residential setting near his home, where his mother might be able to move, and which would still allow Travis to visit frequently and be involved in her care. She explains that the service has clear guidelines about eligibility and a strong set of policies and guidelines as well as a code of conduct for workers so that Travis would know that she was being well cared for. There is an open door policy, which means Travis could visit any time, and a strong commitment to encouraging community-based activities to maintain links with friends, family members and the wider community.

Travis decides to encourage his mother to consider the option of out-of-home residential care, so he meets with Trudi, Bethany and a manager from the setting to begin discussing the options.

Answer 1

Empathetic Understanding

Travis understand his mother's emotional and physical needs. This empathetic understanding can help Bethany and the service manager develop a care plan that aligns with Trudi's preferences and requirements.

Observational Skills

Travis is intuitively aware of his mother's needs. This observational skill may assist in assessing Trudi's well-being and adjusting the care plan accordingly. Bethany and the service manager can leverage Travis's insights to ensure the appropriateness and effectiveness of the care provided.

Communication Skills

Travis's interaction with his mother and ability to express his thoughts and concerns demonstrates strong communication skills. Bethany and the service manager can work with Travis to facilitate effective communication between all parties involved, ensuring that everyone's perspectives and preferences are considered.

Advocacy Skills

Travis participates in discussions about longer-term care options for his mother, exhibiting advocacy skills. He can advocate for his mother's needs and preferences within the healthcare system. Bethany and the service manager can collaborate with Travis to ensure that Trudi's voice is heard and respected throughout the decision-making process.

Understanding of Caregiver Challenges

Travis's experience as a young carer helps him understand the unique challenges faced by individuals in similar roles. This understanding can assist in developing support strategies and policies within the service setting. Bethany and the service manager can learn from Travis's experiences to enhance the overall quality of care provided to other families in similar situations.

Step-by-step explanation: