How might Alice use the information she has gathered from Polly and June to enumerate and then prioritize and organize the issues needing attention?

Question

Alice Singletary, a novice social worker with Magnolia Hospice in Alexandria, Louisiana, met June Plunket, who had terminal cancer, and her daughter, Polly, for an admission interview. June was in quite a bit of pain and trying to cope with dying. Polly blamed Dr. Dubuis and herself for her mother’s approaching death, and was also angry with her brother, who had distanced himself from the family. June and Polly lived in a chaotic and overcrowded household with Polly’s daughter, Jenna, and Jenna’s two young children. While assessing June’s situation, Alice identified a multitude of family problems which had to be balanced with the mission of the hospice. In this situation, Alice was not sure where to begin.

Answer 1

The variety and complexity of issues in this family system no doubt contributes to Aliceís sense of being overwhelmed. She must first identify the issues and then organize and prioritize the issues before she can plan how to intervene. (In this question, students may list problems and in the following question begin to organize them; this list is not comprehensive, and instructor and/or students may expand upon this list).
For example:

a. The pain, which was Juneís primary complaint, was addressed by the nurse on her initial visit. Alice may need to work with her team to see that the hospice can continue provide the needed medication for June.
b. Pollyís anger toward the surgeon may reduce her effectiveness as a caregiver.
c. Lack of income, other than Juneís social security, limits what the family can do to provide basic needs, reduce stress, and care for itself
d. The number and age range of people in the house contributes to interpersonal stress, demand for resources, and general disorganization in the familyís ability to function.
e. Each woman may be overwhelmed by her own life problems, which may make it difficult for her to help the others.
f. June and her daughter have diagnosed mental health concerns. The environmental stresses and the lack of economic resources may exacerbate both womenís mental health problems and reduce Pollyís effectiveness as a caregiver for June.