Module 5 – Abuse and Neglect Assignment

PERSONAL SUPPORT WORKER

ALPHA CAREER COLLEGE

JULIET CREARY

Name: GROUP 6

STEPHEN ADEGBENJO

SUSAN ENIOLORUDA

TAIWO BULURO

TENZIN YEGA

KOLAPO YUSUF A.

TIMOTHY ADESUNLOYE

Date: May 13, 2024

CASE 1:

Mrs. Green is your client. She is 78 years old and has progressive degeneration of her hip
joints that makes it very difficult for her to get out. You have been visiting her for three
weeks, helping with the vacuuming, washing, and providing some social contact.

Although Mrs. Green seems to want you to continue coming to see her, you notice that she is
very anxious about your leaving on time. You feel that she is probably worried about the costs
of your visits and wants to make sure that she isn’t charged for extra time.

You’re aware that Mrs. Green has a daughter and, although she doesn’t say much about her,
you get the feeling that the daughter does visit. You have never met her, though.

At the end of your last visit, Mrs. Green’s washer backs up, spilling water all over the
basement. Mrs. Green becomes very anxious, saying to you that, “It’s alright: the water won’t
hurt the floor. You’d better go, you’ll be late.”

You can’t just leave the water on the floor and insist on cleaning it up. Somewhat reluctantly,
Mrs. Green decides to let you do this and returns upstairs.

Just as you’re finishing, you hear the door. A younger woman speaks to Mrs. Green. You
notice that her tone is harsh as she says, “You’re out of milk and bread? What did you do with
all of the food I brought last week? Feeding those damn birds again— you don’t have enough
sense to make sure that you keep food for yourself. Now I have to get stuff because you’ve
wasted what you had. Sometimes you act as though you don’t have a brain in your head.”

Concerned, you put away the last of the cleaning supplies when you hear the younger woman
say, “Whose coat is this?” When Mrs. Green replies that it is yours, the woman continues,
“What’s the matter? You aren’t satisfied with all that I do? You have to invite some stranger
into your house? Where are you getting all the money for this?”

You go to the top of the stairs. The younger woman says to you, “Thanks for your help, but
my mother won’t be needing you anymore. I’ll make sure that you’re well paid for today.”
Mrs. Green looks miserable, but helpless. She looks down at the floor.
 1. Describe all the feelings that you (or other PSWs) might have in this situation.
Explain how they might be helpful or unhelpful in resolving the problem. (2marks)

A. Empathy: Understanding Mrs. Green’s situation and wanting to help her.

B. Frustration: Towards Mrs. Green’s daughter for her harsh treatment and
accusations.
C. Concern: For Mrs. Green’s wellbeing and safety.
D. Confusion: About Mrs. Green’s daughter behavior and motivations.
E. Helplessness: Feeling unable to change the situation or protect Mrs. Green.
F. Anger: Towards Mrs. Green’s daughter for her disrespectful behavior.

These feelings can be helpful in guiding us in response by motivating to advocate for Mrs.
Green’s well being and take appropriate action. However, they may also hinder resolution if not
managed effectively like too much empathy without action lead to inaction, excessive frustration may
lead to confrontation, prolonged confusion may result in indecision and uncontrolled anger may
escalate the situation and worsen Mrs. Green’s distress.

2. List three behaviors of Mrs.Green’s that indicates he may be abused. (3marks)

a. Verbal Abuse: Mrs. Green’s daughter’s harsh tone and accusatory
language towards her.
b. Financial Abuse: Implied control over Mrs. Green’s finances and
questioning how she affords PSW services.
c. Isolation: Mrs. Green’s daughter’s attempt to isolate her mother by
terminating the PSW visits and questioning her relationships.

3. In this situation, describe how power is being exerted over another person. (2marks):
Mrs. Green’s daughter is exerting power over her mother through verbal
abuse, control over her resources (e.g., food), and decisions regarding her care (terminating
the PSW services). This dynamic reflects a misuse of power and control in their relationship.

4. What action is appropriate for the PSW to take in this situation? Why? (3marks)
a. Advocating for Mrs. Green by addressing concerns with her daughter in a
respectful manner.
b. Reporting suspicions of abuse or neglect to relevant authorities or
supervisors.
c. Offering emotional support to Mrs. Green to reassure her that she is not
alone and providing information about support services available to her.
d. Documenting the incident and any concerns for future reference. Taking
action is crucial to ensure Mrs. Green’s safety and address the abusive
behavior exhibited by her daughter.
CASE 2:

You have been assigned to assist Sarah, a new mother, care for her infant son. The mother requires
help as she has recently had a sprained ankle and wrist fractures. Although she can get around, she
cannot look after the infant and her 2-year-old daughter. Home care was ordered by Sarah’s
doctor, despite the family’s protests that they could manage on their own. You have been visiting
for two weeks.

Sarah is a quiet, painfully shy person. However, little by little, she has warmed up to you. She
smiles more often now and seems very grateful for your visits.

Today, as you hand Sarah her son after his bath, you notice a large bruise on Sarah’s upper arm. It
is purplish and about 10 cm. (4 inches) in diameter. Sarah notices that you have seen the bruise
and says, “Oh, that— I hit the freezer door last night.” You must look doubtful, as Sarah begins to
cry. She tells you that her husband grabbed her arm and twisted it last night. She begs you not to
tell anyone, saying that she would be embarrassed if anyone knew. “He’s a good man,” she says of
her husband, “I’d have nothing if it weren’t for him.”

1. Describe all the feelings that you (or other PSWs) might have in this situation. Explain
how they might be helpful or unhelpful in resolving the problem. (1mark):

As a PSW (Personal Support Worker) in this situation, feelings might include concern for Sarah's
safety and well-being, empathy for her pain and suffering, frustration or anger towards her husband
for his abusive behavior, and a sense of responsibility to ensure Sarah and her children are safe.
These feelings can be helpful in motivating action to support Sarah and connect her with resources
for assistance. However, they can also be unhelpful if they lead to judgment or the assumption of
what's best for Sarah without considering her autonomy and preferences.

2. Identify three signs that indicate Sarah is abused. (3 marks)

a. The large unexplained bruise on her upper arm
b. Sarah’s reluctance to disclose the true cause of the bruise and her plea and
indicating fear and shame with associated bully
c. Sarah’s explanation for the bruise changes from begin an accident to a
incident involving her husband.

3. Describe two ways in which Sarah is demonstrating denial. (2 marks)

a. initially attributing the bruise to accident instead of acknowledging the true cause
of injury
 b. downplaying her husbands action and referring to him as a good man, suggesting
she would have nothing without him.

4. What other emotion is Sarah displaying? (1 mark)

Shame and fear, sense of helplessness by accepting the abuse and making excuses for
her husband’s behavior.
5. What action is appropriate for the PSW to take in this situation? Why?(3marks)
a. Listen to sarah non judgmentally and validating her feelings
b. Express concern for her safety and offering support
c. Providing information about available resources for victims of domestic
abuse like counseling services and shelters
d. Assisting sarah develop a safety plan which may involve contacting
authorities or seeking legal assistance.

e. Respecting sarah’s decisions while gently encouraging her to consider

options for leaving the abusive situatio
CASE 3:
You have been assigned to care for the Ross family. The family just had triplets: three girls.
The girls were premature, but they are now home after two months in hospital. There are
two older children in the family, Ray, age two, and Lori, age five. Although maternal and
paternal grandparents are all living, they reside 1600 km away and cannot visit to help.

The family seems to be loving and close-knit. The parents seem very happy with the new
additions— although they admit that the birth of three was very much a surprise.

You have been with the family for two months and over that time have noticed a change in
Ray. He seems less able to run as steadily as he did before. As well, he seems to be using
more “baby-talk,” not speaking words as clearly as he once did. He also seems to be more
fearful.

Today is your day off. You find yourself in the Ross’ neighbourhood and decide to say
hello. As you go up to the door, you see Mrs. Ross violently shaking her son. She is visibly
upset and is speaking to him in a very angry voice.

1. Describe all the feelings that you (or other PSWs) might have in this situation.
Explain how they might be helpful or unhelpful in resolving the problem. (2 marks)

a. Concern: The PSW is worried about what is going on with the child and
encouraged to intervene and help the child.
b. Responsibility: PSW has the right to intervene and save both the
mother and the child.
c. Shock: Surprised with what you see, this may not be helpful to assess
the situation objectively.
d. Sadness: The PSW is saddened with the way the child is being
treated, but this is not helpful because empathy would have been
better in this situation.
The feeling of being concerned and responsible will encourage the PSW to intervene and
save the child and needs the family where necessary. The shock and anger will not be
helpful in this situation knowing what led to Mrs. Ross’s action, empathy would have been
the best in this situation.

2. Identify the possible reasons for the angry outburst in Mrs. Ross. (3 marks)
a. Stress: Caring for triplets can be very stressful for a couple after spending 2
months in the hospital, this can be very stressful and highly demanding noting that
they are still two older children to take care of.
b. Postpartum Depression: This is a feeling of stress and anxiety that new mothers go
through concerning Mrs. Ross present situation.
c. Feelings of inadequateness: Mrs. Ross may be under measures to
carry out some parent responsibilities that her body is not ready for,
may lead to frustration and anger.
d. Ray’s attitude: Ray may seek attention that Mrs. Ross is not ready to give
concerning the triplets she is taking care of, this may lead to an outburst of
anger.
3. Identify two behaviours in Ray that indicate that he may be abused. (2 marks)
a. Fearful Behavior
b. Sudden Behavior
a. Fearful Behavior: Mrs. Ross’s action by speaking to the boy in a very
angry voice has caused her son mental harm. It has also affected his
sense of worth and self- confidence to the extent that Ray can’t
socialize with the family and friends as he used to.
b. Sudden behavioral changes: Mrs. Ross violently shaking a 2years
old boy can lead to pain, injury or sometimes death. Ray’s inability
to run as steadily as he did before and using more baby talk, not
speaking clearly as he did before.

3. What action is appropriate for the PSW to take in this situation? Why? (3
marks)
The appropriate action is for PSW to:
o Intervene and stop the shaking of Ray and this should be done in a
calm way without offending both the mother and the child.

The reason is for the safety of the child, shaking Ray violently without
immediate intervention may lead to harm, injury or sometimes death.
I. Reporting: Another action is to report to your supervision
since the abuse has been confirmed to ensure that the family
receives necessary support and intervention needed.
II. Encouragement: To encourage the family to visit a therapist
or a counselor or receive mental health support.