Writers Den

To
complete this assignment, read through the scenario below and address the
specific questions and issues indicated. Review the “Introduction to the
Miller Family” document for specific information on each member of the
family.

Grandmother
Ella has been dealing with cancer for years now and has tried alternative
remedies and juicing. She went into remission for some time, but now the
cancer has returned and she is in the hospital. Her husband, of American
Indian descent, has his ideas about what needs to be done as Ella comes to the
end of her life. Ella has her preferences, though she is now so weak that
she has given up in many ways. The family members are each experiencing
their own fears and are grieving as they face the loss that will occur as Ella’s
life comes to a close. Ella prefers to die at home and has felt stressed
by the discord and discomfort of family members since being
hospitalized.

You
are the social worker for this case. You meet this family in the hospital
setting as they are considering whether the patient will remain there for her
final days or whether hospice and palliative care will be provided for her in
her home.

For
this assignment, you will:

1. Synthesize the current research
   that is relevant to this scenario.
2. Discuss the cultural or
   traditional issues that could arise at this time. Consider how the
   integration of alternative and complementary medicine and beliefs,
   mainstream medical practices, and cultural/traditional rituals and
   practices might create issues and what they might include.
• Describe how the family might
  react to the following possible scenarios:
• Ella wishes to stick with
  alternative and complementary practices.
• Ella is coerced into
  following mainstream medical advice.
• Ella’s husband insists that,
  as father and husband, his family traditions should be adhered to.
• Examine the biological basis
  for care and describe how the choices for care might affect the other
  family members with respect to their individual problems, if at all.
• Son Sam, the alcoholic
• Daughter Lila, with
  diabetes
• Grandson Josh, starting to
  have drug problems
• Granddaughter Lucy, bipolar
  with more entrenched drug problems
• Daughter-in-law, Sarah’s
  stress related to her family’s medical issues (nephew with leukemia,
  brother with HIV, and her father’s perspective that they are all
  “crazy!”)
3. Discuss the micro, mezzo, and
   macro influences affecting both the patient and the diverse family members
   in this scenario as impacted by Ella’s medical condition and prognosis.
• What are the pertinent and likely
  family (micro) conflicts and differences, and concerns that could be
  encountered?
• How is the neighborhood and
  extended family (mezzo) reacting to the situation?
• If she returns home, what
  considerations need to be taken into account as part of her discharge
  plan? Using your local area, research and present the needed or preferred
  community resources (macro) that would be available to them.
  Critique the ability of these community resources to adequately meet the
  needs of this diverse family’s circumstances.
4. Discuss the relevant medical
   issues and the advantages and disadvantages of hospital versus home.
   When discussing medical issues in this case, use appropriate medical
   terminology.
5. Discuss the psychological and
   social issues that are present and will possibly be more pronounced at
   this stressful time. How has the fact that this illness has been
   ongoing (chronic) impacted the family?
6. Analyze the current scenario as
   it pertains to diversity, as well as to cultural, psychological, and
   social perspectives and influences, taking into account the stories that
   you have been discussing throughout the course.
7. Discuss the impact of lifespan
   development on the perspectives of the various members of the family
   (i.e., their intellect, cognitive abilities, insight, and judgment) as
   well as their sociocultural perspectives, preferences, understandings, and
   positions on the situation.

Writing
the Final Paper

The Final
Paper:

1. Must be eight to ten
   double-spaced pages in length, and formatted according to APA style as
   outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
2. Must include a title page with
   the following:
1. Title of paper
2. Student’s name
3. Course name and number
4. Instructor’s name
5. Date submitted
3. Must begin with an introductory
   paragraph that has a succinct thesis statement.
4. Must address the topic of the
   paper with critical thought.
5. Must end with a conclusion that
   reaffirms your thesis.
6. Must use at least three
   scholarly sources.
7. Must document all sources in
   APA style, as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
8. Must include a separate
   reference page, formatted according to APA style as outlined in the
   Ashford Writing Center.