The case involves an elderly, African-American widow by the name Olivia Joyner

The Case of Olivia Joyner

The case concerns an elderly African-American widow named Olivia Joyner, who is 93 years of age. Olivia lives in Chicago with her son Carter and a law-girl who is married to Carter. Before getting lost in Quitman, the daughter-in-law confirms that she has a sound mind and handles much of her money, time, and company despite her age. Carter’s wife proves that Olivia treats money better than she does. Also, Olivia had been reported missing for six days before the call. Concerns overseeing a lady in Quitman around the same location for at least 36 hours have caused the police to send Olivia to the psychiatric clinic for a check-up because she is puzzled. Olivia went out to pick a present for her son’s birthday, but can not find the el which is a large transport in Chicago. However, she seems confused about her age, the current year as well as the time among other distractions. The confirmation by the daughter about the mother in-law’s health appears to make the situation to go to a medical doctor who confirms that the checkup reveals some brain bleeding and high blood pressure.

The Diagnosis and Challenges

The strengths and sources of support make it difficult to make a diagnosis of the illness that Olivia is facing. Firstly, the elderly lady is efficient in the talk and directly quotes that she is lost and cannot find the El. Olivia’s age also complicates the matter since she is 93 and at the time she seems weak. Besides, Olivia’s sources of support such as the care of the son and daughter in law also indicate her as a strong woman despite the age and of a sharp mind. As a result, the worker at the mental clinic finds it difficult it has a diagnosis on what the medical issue is especially after the confirmation by Carter’s wife on some of the details about the lady. After a thorough checkup, it is evident something might have happened along the way to the el which seems to be a routine for her causing internal bleeding in the brain which is the possible reason for her confusion and lack of recognition of the surrounding. Another issue revealed is that Olivia has hypertension due to the condition manifesting during the medical tests which no one else from the family or the clinic seems to know.

Environmental and Cultural Factors

The current state of the client is influenced by some environmental and cultural factors which include the appearance of Quitman, the attitude, and stereotypes of the white race. Firstly, Olivia knows the el too well and the appearance of her town but when in Georgia, she suddenly realizes everything is so changed and becomes confused. Regarding culture, while talking to the worker at the mental clinic, Olivia confirms that she believes white people are mean to the African American race which might influence her lack of seeking help. Also, Olivia is not comfortable around the police since they are not fair to the back race.

Intervention and Treatment

The target for intervention for Olivia’s case is to stabilize the blood pressure and develop a monitoring plan for the management of her health due to her age. According to the study by Egan (2014), most adults above the age of 67 years are likely to develop hypertension. Stokes (2009) also indicates that the reason why the elderly are at more risk with this medical condition is that the arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction become higher as one grows old. Therefore, there is a need for the intervention to have better healthcare and avoidance of the current situation from recurring in future. The primary goal, mutually agreed is to have access to the medical history to help in creating an effective health management plan of Olivia with the inclusion of the relatives and a home-based physician. The first objective is to ensure that the current condition is stable and the brain bleeding from hypertension can be under control. The timeline for this period is at least two months in hospitalization. The second objective is to enhance monitoring of the condition of Olivia for at least five years at home through consistent medical checkups. The mode of treatment includes anti-hypersensitive therapy that can even prevent possible stroke in the patient. The process is through the administration of particular drugs to minimize the risks which include thiazide diuretic, angiotensin inhibitor, and calcium blocker.

Follow-Up and Support

Lastly, the current state of the patient has to go through the monitoring process and have an approach of many other professionals. The social worker has many other responsibilities of ensuring that the elderly, person is comfortable and not in danger of causing hypertension. In this regard, the workers can monitor that the old take the drugs every day, enhance home checkups and treatments under schedule, and provide support to the aging Olivia in collaboration with the close relatives through visitations and care (Brody, 2010). Some of the follow-up initiatives as suggested by Kernisan (2016) includes obtaining a high blood pressure monitor, checking pressure two times each day, update medications currently in use, adhere to lifestyle recommendations, and timely checkups with the medical doctor. In this regard, one can monitor and follow up the changes and improvement of the health of Olivia.

References

Brody, S. (2010). What is the role of social workers? - Community Care. Retrieved on 10 July 2017, from http://www.communitycare.co.uk/2010/09/20/what-is-the-role-of-social-workers/

Egan, B. (2014). Treatment of hypertension in the elderly patient, particularly isolated systolic hypertension. Uptodate.com. Retrieved 10 on July 2017, from https://www.uptodate.com/contents/treatment-of-hypertension-in-the-elderly-patient-particularly-isolated-systolic-hypertension

Kernisan, L. (2016). 6 Steps to Better Hypertension Treatment in Aging Adults. Better Health While Aging. Retrieved on 10 July 2017, from http://betterhealthwhileaging.net/how-to-treat-high-blood-pressure-in-seniors/

Stokes, G. (2009). Management of hypertension in the elderly patient. Clinical Interventions In Aging, 379. http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/cia.s5242