Case Study for group presentation – Elderly George
Case Study for group presentation – Elderly
George
George is a 70 year old man whose wife, Shirley, is living with Alzheimer’s. So far, they have been able to
continue living in their family home with George doing most of the caregiving tasks. Their children live in
Alberta and are rarely able to visit; however, George’s niece, Alana, comes over on Saturdays to play
Scrabble and walk in the garden with Shirley while George goes out to get groceries and medications.
Shirley’s garden was always her pride and joy and continues to be a source of pleasure as she walks
along the rose bushes and admires the flowers.
As Shirley’s condition worsens, she struggles to remember Alana’s name when she visits. She often tells
the same stories over and over and wonders whose cat is roaming their house, despite Mittens having
lived with them for many years. Shirley is often confused and becomes fearful when she realizes George
is not in the house, wondering if Alana is there to harm her.
Despite having considerable financial security, George refuses to discuss putting Shirley in a care facility.
He says he can take better care of her than any nurse can, and he can’t bear the idea of Shirley having to
leave her precious cat and the garden she has worked so hard to maintain.
One Saturday when Alana visits, she notices that Shirley has already taken all of her pills for Saturday
and Sunday. When she asks George about this, he is confused and thinks it is Sunday. He questions why
Alana didn’t come to visit on the right day and if she doesn’t want to see them anymore. Alana becomes
concerned for both George and Shirley and contacts a seniors centre to ask for help.
Questions:
1. What do you think this couple needs? What might you recommend as a social worker in this
case?
2. What are some of George and Shirley’s strengths? How might you use them to help?
3. What other supports (formal or informal) might help this couple?
4. How might this couple’s circumstances be approached differently if they were experiencing
poverty instead of wealth?
