Respond to two colleagues who chose a different case and/or theory than you did. State whether you agree with your colleague’s strategy for applying the theory to the case. Justify your response and suggest one additional way your colleague might support the client’s psychological well-being.
Use the Learning Resources to support your posts.
Identify whether you have chosen to analyze Sara’s or Francine’s case for the Discussion.
I have chosen to analyze Francine’s case for this discussion.
Explain key life events that have influenced Sara’s or Francine’s psychological functioning. Be sure to substantiate what makes them key in your perspective.
In Francine case she is 70-year-old women that worked as a librarian for 40 years. She retired at the age of 65. It looks like Francine had a successful career that she enjoyed. Francine’s Partner (Joan) passed away so Francine has been living alone for the past year. The loss of her partner could significantly contribute with the symptoms of depression, alcohol consumption and feelings loneliness and isolation. “Two major barriers to good mental health in older adults are the failure to bounce back from psychosocial losses, (death of a loved one) and failure to have meaningful life goals”. As mentioned in Francine’s case the death of her partner could have impacted her mental health and may have created emotional issues that she did not know how to deal with, therefore, she started consuming alcohol. In addition, to the loss of her partner Francine did not feel very supported by her family and friends since she never came out to them about her sexual orientation. Francine felt that her family and even some of her associates did not understand the real impact and mean that Joan’s death means to her. Therefore, she was not able to receive the sympathy and emotional support that she needed from her support system. it was important for Francine to find a support system that understand that she lost her partner/love of her life and not just a friend/roommate.
Explain how you as a social worker might apply a theory of successful aging to Sara’s or Francine’s case. Be sure to provide support for your strategy.
In Francine’s case I would apply the activity theory. Francine was a successful worker and had an active lifestyle, she actually retired just 5 years ago. Therefore, continuum to be active as an older adult could help Francine to remain physically and mentally healthy because she would feel that she is still contributing to society and has a support system that values her. According to this theory productivity and social activities contributed to older adult to have better physical functioning, self-related happiness and they also live longer. As Francine’s social worker I would suggest that she get involve in recreational and physical activities in her local community, also she could attend to support groups in order to meet other people that have lost their partners, also she could volunteer in her community.
