Question

An 80-year-old client meets with a social worker due to recent conflict with his adult children who are urging him to move into an assisted living facility after his wife of 60 years passed and after he began using a cane. His children express ongoing concern that as he ages, he will be unable to care for himself and meet his basic needs while living alone. The client reports that he is just as able to care for his needs now as ever before and states, "there is no way anyone is going to force me into a nursing home." What is the BEST way for the social worker to respond?

A. Facilitate a discussion of the pros and cons of living in an assisted living facility and offer a family session

B. Discuss the differences between a nursing home and assisted living facility

C. Validate the concerns of the client's children and complete an assessment to determine the client's ability to live independently

D. Acknowledge the client's right to make this decision for himself and identify goals of treatment

Answer 1

The best response involves valuing the client’s autonomy, performing a thorough assessment of his independence, and facilitating a family discussion about elder care options, respecting both the client’s wishes and the concerns of his children.

Step-by-step explanation:

The social worker should recognize the complexities faced by the elderly gentleman and his family in this situation. A professional and empathetic approach would involve acknowledging the client’s feelings of autonomy and his right to make decisions regarding his living arrangements while also considering the practical concerns about his well-being expressed by his children. The best response would likely be a blend of respecting the client’s self-determination and providing a thorough assessment of his needs and abilities. This would involve:

• Validating the client’s autonomy and the emotional impact of the loss of his spouse while understanding his desire to maintain independence.
• Assessing the client’s capacity for independent living, considering physical, cognitive, and social aspects.
• Facilitating a family discussion that considers everyone’s concerns, and desires, and explores various options, including the differences between assisted living and nursing home care.
• Discussing proactive quality-of-life decisions, such as living wills and medical power of attorney.

Through this approach, the social worker can help the family navigate the sensitive process of planning for elder care, ensuring that the client’s wishes and well-being remain central to the conversation.