Case Study Analysis (Page 2 of 4) in pdf

Case #2:

Albert is a 70 year old widowed Caucasian man originally from a European country, who has

resided in the United States for the past 45 years. His means are modest, but he does have

Medicare and insurance coverage and a small pension that meet his needs. In addition he has

about $10,000 in a savings account. He is able to speak and read English but is not proficient

in writing in English as his profession has been in agriculture. He has maintained close ties to

his family of origin through trips, letters and phone calls; however, he only has one living

sister whom he hopes to visit “one last time.” He has maintained his culture in his home

including speaking his native language with his children. Although he has grown used to

“American food” he prefers dietary choices and ways of preparing meals that reflect his

country of origin.

Albert has experienced extreme osteoarthritis since his early 50’s and has had two knee

replacements and a hip replacement. He has been hospitalized for an acute and life threatening

infection in his artificial hip, which has resulted in most of his femur and part of his pelvis being

removed, in addition to the artificial joint. He is given massive doses of strong antibiotics to

save his life, which results in renal failure requiring dialysis. There is a possibility that the renal

failure will reverse itself as he recovers sufficiently to be discharged. He has three adult

children, who take turns being in the hospital throughout the weeks of treatment. As he begins

to recover, family frequently bring in his favorite types of foods to supplant his hospital diet.

Hospital personnel do not question this practice.

Albert is to be discharged to a rehabilitation center for occupational and physical therapy so he

may return to his home. He does not want to go to the center, because he believes people die in

“these places.” He finally agrees to go because his family convinces him he needs the strength to

live alone, or he will have to move into one of their homes. This proves to be very motivating.

Diet continues to be an issue with him in his new life in the rehab center. He tells the dietician

he likes yogurt and dislikes “green.” He wants foods he is familiar with, but the facility will not

allow his children to bring in meals like the hospital did. The dietician informs him that he needs

to get used to the food, because they are likely to order meals-on-wheels for him when he is

discharged. Albert reacts by getting depressed, refusing to eat, and has just begun muttering,

“maybe I should just die.”

His children contact you, the rehab center’s social worker, because they are worried about his

mental state which is affecting his recovery, and to ask you to intervene with the center’s director

on Albert’s behalf. They in particular think the dietician is arbitrary and unreasonable and they

are paying good money for his care and he doesn’t deserve to be bullied. They also want

accommodations made for Albert’s diet, and wonder if Albert could benefit from seeing a

psychiatrist. What would you, as the social worker, do in this case?

Case Study Analysis Page 2