University of New South Wales BIOS BIOS-CHCAGE005 – You are required to conduct a risk assessment of Ken

QUESTION

CHCAGE004 Implement interventions with older people at risk 

Part A

You are required to conduct a risk assessment of Ken, a 67-year-old dairy farmer who is experiencing some signs and symptoms of depression and anxiety.  More information about Ken, his wife and their current situation are provided in the role-play scenario below.

To complete the task, and conduct the risk assessment, imagine you are a Community Care Worker tasked with visiting Ken in his home to find out how he is managing day-to-day and about his overall health situation. You are encouraged to ask open-ended questions to Ken to uncover all the relevant issues and to gather enough information to complete the required assessment. Suggested questions, and the form you are to complete as part of this assessment can be found in the Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI) Assessment Pack. You must complete and submit the form titled ACFI 10 Depression.

Ask a friend, family member or co-worker to play the part of Ken and then to play the part of Margaret, his wife. To help them prepare share the below role-play scenario, talk about the reasons for the Ken’s assessment and the things that could be troubling him. Also show them the form you are required to complete. You may access the form during the role-play if you wish.

Record the meetings and upload to Canvas, along with the completed form.

To complete Part A you need access to the: 

• role-play participant to play role of client
• role-play scenario (below)
• Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI) Assessment Pack
• Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI) User Guide
• recording device – i.e. smartphone, iPad or webcam.

 

Role-play scenario Ken is a 67-year-old dairy farmer who lives with his wife Margaret. They live on a small farm in Western Victoria. Though the farm was previously profitable, Ken and Margaret have had one of their bleakest years to date. Ken has been forced to buy fodder to feed his cows due to drought and dry conditions. The high cost of purchasing feed, as well as irrigation water, coupled with falling milk prices has greatly affected the farm’s margins. Ken and Margaret would like to retire and move to the west coast to be closer to their children, to do so means, reluctantly selling the family property that has been struggling financially. They have limited investment funds set aside to support their retirement and have been told it is unlikely that they would be successful in selling their farm. Ken also suffers chronic back pain from a previous farm injury. A neighbour has become concerned about Ken’s ability to cope with his property and has visited Ken and Margaret several times due to problems with his stock and pasture management. Margaret believes the farm is “too much for them now,” but feels she can’t talk to Ken about this. Ken has become withdrawn and refuses to discuss the issue. He talks about there being “no way out of this,” and that it “might as well be over.”  He sees his physician infrequently, having difficulty traveling the kilometres to the nearby town.

 

Part B

Once you have completed your assessment analyse the information and identify at least four strategies to minimise Ken’s risk of depression and anxiety.

You may use the internet as well as the resources recommended for this role play to assist you with this.

Complete the following template to list your strategies and explain how each of these will minimise the risk to Ken:

Strategies	How strategy minimises risk to Ken
Strategy 1
Strategy 2
Strategy 3
Strategy 4

 

Part C

This part requires you to meet with Ken to identify and explain each suggested option to minimise risk. You will need to encourage Ken to participate in the decision-making process and make changes to the strategies as required.

Record the meeting.

Your Trainer and Assessor will be looking to see that you can:

• identify how each option is consistent with Ken’s safety needs and priorities
• talk about any concern’s Ken might have and support him in the decision-making process
• recognise Ken’s risk factors
• maximise Ken’s participation in the risk assessment process
• communicate in a supportive, encouraging and respectful manner
• respect Ken’s dignity and privacy.

Part D

Select one of the strategies agreed to by Ken. Explain how the strategy could be implemented in real-life. Depending on your strategy, you might wish to research service providers or support networks available to farmers in Western Victoria.

Part E

Explain how you would evaluate the implemented strategies, and the actions you would take to address strategies that are not having the desired outcomes.

Identify alternate strategies that could be implemented.

ANSWER

Part A: Risk Assessment

As a Community Care Worker, your objective is to conduct a risk assessment of Ken, a 67-year-old dairy farmer experiencing signs and symptoms of depression and anxiety. During your visit to Ken’s home, you should ask open-ended questions to gather relevant information. Your assessment should cover Ken’s day-to-day management and overall health situation.

Here are some suggested questions to ask Ken:

1. How have you been feeling lately? Have you noticed any changes in your mood or emotions?
2. Can you describe your typical day and how you’re managing your daily tasks?
3. Are you experiencing any physical symptoms such as sleep disturbances, changes in appetite, or fatigue?
4. How is your relationship with your wife Margaret? Are you able to communicate openly about your concerns?
5. How are you coping with the financial challenges on the farm and the possibility of selling it?
6. Have you sought any medical help for your chronic back pain or discussed your emotional well-being with a healthcare professional?
7. Are there any other stressors or challenges in your life that you think might be contributing to your current feelings?

By asking these questions and engaging in open conversation, you can gain a better understanding of Ken’s situation and assess his risk of depression and anxiety. Remember to approach the conversation with empathy, respect, and a supportive attitude.

Once you have gathered the necessary information, complete the ACFI 10 Depression form based on your assessment findings and submit it along with the recorded meeting.

Part B: Strategies to Minimize Risk

After completing the assessment and analyzing the information, you need to identify at least four strategies to minimize Ken’s risk of depression and anxiety. Here are some examples:

Strategy 1: Encourage Social Support
By encouraging Ken to seek support from friends, family, or support groups, he can alleviate feelings of isolation and share his concerns with others who may understand his situation. This strategy can help him feel less alone and provide emotional support.

Strategy 2: Facilitate Professional Counseling
Connect Ken with a mental health professional, such as a psychologist or counselor, who can provide therapeutic support and help him develop coping strategies for managing depression and anxiety. Regular counseling sessions can offer a safe space for Ken to express his emotions and work through his challenges.

Strategy 3: Assist with Financial Planning
Help Ken and Margaret consult with a financial advisor who specializes in retirement planning. By assessing their current financial situation, exploring options, and developing a realistic plan, they can gain a sense of control over their future, potentially reducing their anxiety about retirement.

Strategy 4: Coordinate Community Resources
Research and provide information about community resources available to farmers in Western Victoria. This can include organizations that offer assistance with agricultural challenges, financial support, mental health services, or social activities. Connecting Ken with these resources can provide him with additional support and access to relevant expertise.

Part C: Meeting with Ken

In this part, you need to meet with Ken to discuss and explain each suggested strategy, encourage his participation in the decision-making process, and make any necessary adjustments to the strategies based on his preferences and concerns. During the meeting, it is essential to:

– Ensure that each option is consistent with Ken’s safety needs and priorities.
– Address any concerns Ken might have and provide reassurance and support.
– Maximize Ken’s participation in the risk assessment process by actively involving him in the decision-making.
– Communicate in a supportive, encouraging, and respectful manner, using empathetic language.
– Respect Ken’s dignity and privacy throughout the discussion.

Record the meeting and upload the recording to Canvas for assessment.

Part D: Implementation of a Selected Strategy

Select one of the strategies agreed upon by Ken during the meeting. For example, if Ken agrees to seek professional counseling, the strategy could be implemented as

follows:

1. Research and identify mental health professionals or counseling services in Ken’s local area or nearby town.
2. Provide Ken with a list of options, including contact information, qualifications, and areas of specialization of the professionals.
3. Assist Ken in scheduling an appointment with the chosen mental health professional, ensuring it is convenient for him.
4. Offer support by accompanying Ken to his initial counseling session if he desires.
5. Follow up with Ken after the first session to check on his experience and discuss any additional support needed.

Part E: Evaluation and Alternate Strategies

To evaluate the implemented strategies, regularly assess Ken’s progress, emotional well-being, and level of engagement with the chosen interventions. If a strategy is not achieving the desired outcomes, consider the following actions:

1. Reassess Ken’s needs and preferences to identify any gaps or barriers in the current strategy.
2. Modify or adjust the strategy based on Ken’s feedback and the professional’s recommendations.
3. Seek feedback from Ken, Margaret, and other involved parties to gain a comprehensive understanding of the effectiveness of the strategy.
4. Consider alternate strategies that align with Ken’s needs and preferences, making adjustments as necessary to provide the most appropriate support.

By continuously evaluating and adjusting the interventions, you can ensure that Ken receives the most effective support to minimize his risk of depression and anxiety.