What had Celia done so far to help Mr. Brown, and what further needs does Mr. Brown have?

Question

Celia O’Neil, a 39-year-old baccalaureate social work student, was assigned to complete her internship in a nursing facility where she had been employed for the past 12 years and continued to work three days a week as the Activity Director. The social work director, Betty Williams, LSW, was Celia’s task supervisor but new to the nursing home setting. Therefore, Sally Jones, LCSW, served as Celica’s preceptor. Celia’s client, Mr. Brown, was a 47-year-old man admitted to the nursing home in June 2001 with numerous psychosocial needs. Celia was frustrated by what she interpreted as Betty’s lack of effort to assist Mr. Brown. She began to wonder whether her supervisor cared about the client, and she found the nursing staff uncaring and non-supportive. In addition, the nursing staff made rude comments about Mr. Brown right in front of him, which upset Celia a great deal. She felt the comments were abusive and she wondered how to advocate for Mr. Brown.

Answer 1

Celia assisted Mr. Brown in completing his Medicaid application, thus securing an income, and she took him to get his driver’s license/ID, which he needed for identification in Texas. His biopsychosocial needs included: a personal support system (no family or community support), financial support and assistance while in the nursing facility and then out in the community (minimal income), housing (no home or apartment in the community), a successful discharge to the community, and independent living.