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Section 6: Scenarios and conclusion

In this section you'll have the opportunity to:

  • work through some realistic scenarios and decide how you would assess each one.

Click 'Next' to work through the different scenarios

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Section 6: Scenarios and conclusion

To choose a scenario click on the links below.

Please note that these scenarios are only brief and normally you would have far more information to base your decision on.

Click 'Next' to work through the different scenarios

Section 6: Scenarios and conclusion


Scenario 1: Mrs Evans

Mrs Evans, aged 75, is African Caribbean. Her daughter called adult services for information and advice about preventing falls as she knew that this could undermine her mother's much valued independence. Her mother is fit at the moment, but her daughter noticed that she is walking with a lot more care than in the past. Her daughter wanted to know what they could do to reduce the risk of her mother falling and improve her confidence.


Scenario 1


Mrs Evans

Low – early intervention

We would choose Low – early intervention because the services should seek to reduce the incidence of Mrs Evans falling.

Section 6: Scenarios and conclusion

Scenario 2: Mr X

Mr X is a refugee who was imprisoned and tortured during conflict in his country. There is no information about his family, but they are thought to have been killed. Adult services and Mr X's community group are involved. His friend is referring him because Mr X's behaviour has recently become frightening. Mr X says he has nothing to live for, has refused food for a week and will not let anyone into his rented room.

Scenario 2


Mr X

Critical – risk of self-harm

Section 6: Scenarios and conclusion

Scenario 3: Mrs Shah

Mrs Shah is being treated for depression following her husband's death a year ago. She is well supported by her family in the evenings and at weekends, but is alone all day. Although she was very active in community activities prior to her husband's death, she now refuses any involvement. Her GP is concerned that this is undermining her recovery and wants adult services to support her in reconnecting with the community.

Scenario 3


Mrs Shah

Moderate – well supported

We would select here Moderate – well supported as the focus here is on reducing the effects of bereavement, mild depression and to prevent her becoming socially isolated. Signposting for daytime activities may be helpful.

Section 6: Scenarios and conclusion

Scenario 4: Mr Thomas

Mr Thomas is 90 and lives alone. He has diabetes and high blood pressure which are both controlled by drugs. The nurse visits him weekly to deal with his legs and to put on his elastic stockings. His neighbours keep an eye on him and his grand daughter visits twice a week. When his granddaughter asked him about his pills he said he had plenty left, but she knew he was due to get some more.

Scenario 4


Mr Thomas

Low – health staff involved

We would choose Low – health staff involved because concerns that his medication, and possibly his physical health, have become worse can be picked up by the visiting nurse who can be asked to monitor the situation on her weekly visits. Information can provided to his granddaughter about local support and advice about developing a plan to cope with the changing situation and advice to contact adult services again if the situation deteriorates.

Section 6: Scenarios and conclusion

Scenario 5: Mrs Juniper

Mrs Juniper is 40 and lives alone. She has learning and physical disabilities. Her husband died two years ago and she has now has trouble leaving the house. She has given up going to the social club and the church meetings she used to attend regularly even though her friends keep in regular contact and try to coax her to come back. She is supported by her son who lives 20 miles away. He is in daily contact but can only visit every other weekend. She has help three times a week but often does not let the support workers in.

Scenario 5


Mrs Juniper

Moderate – social isolation


We think Moderate – social isolation may be the best choice here because Mrs Juniper is disabled and becoming socially isolated. There is a possibility that she is becoming agoraphobic and/depressed. She has support from friends and social care, but this is not effective and her son lives too far away to give day-to-day support.

Section 6: Scenarios and conclusion

Scenario 6: Miss Jones

Miss Jones is 65 and lives with her daughter Joyce who has given up her job to care for her mother who was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's. Miss jones has declined rapidly over the last three months and her daughter is finding it increasingly difficult to cope with her mother's behaviour. Before Joyce could go out for a couple of hours as her mother normally slept in the afternoon. However, the last time she went out her mother cooked her shoes in the oven. She has also started wandering in the night. Joyce is very distressed about this.

Scenario 6

Miss Jones

Moderate carer risk

We would select Moderate carer risk here. Further joint assessment of the mother with the GP is urgently required to investigate the rapid decline and to identify whether she needs additional support that would also relieve the carer. The carer can be referred to the local carer's centre and the Alzheimer's resource group.

Section 6: Scenarios and conclusion

Scenario 7: Mr and Mrs Golding

Mr and Mrs Golding have cared for Gordon, their disabled son, since birth. Gordon suffered severe trauma at birth and was left blind and with brain damage. He is now 15 and his behaviour is deteriorating. He is 6 foot tall and his mother, who normally takes care of him, is finding it very difficult to cope. Mr Golding runs his own butcher's shop and comes home when he can to help, but this is now not sufficient and his wife has become depressed and blames herself because she cannot cope.

Scenario 7

Mr and Mrs Golding

Substantial carer risk

We would select Substantial carer risk because their son's behaviour is becoming out of control. Gordon's support system is in danger of breaking down. Reassessment of Gordon is needed to identify whether his care plan is up to date and whether it should be urgently reviewed.

Section 6: Scenarios and conclusion

Scenario 8: Frances

Frances, who is 18 and at university, had just passed her driving test when suddenly she started to get fainting spells. She went to GP and was referred to a consultant who, following a brain scan, diagnosed epilepsy. Frances was devastated and although her seizures are now mainly controlled she has become depressed and says she has lost all her friends because she cannot drive her car.

Scenario 8

Frances

Low eligibility

We would choose Low – signposting needed. She should be encouraged to see her GP to discuss her depression and any treatment required. She could benefit from signposting to the local support group for teenagers with epilepsy.

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Section 6: Scenarios and conclusion

That brings us to the end of the resource. We hope that you've enjoyed it and found it useful.

Why not end your studies by clicking on "Back to start" to read again the Top 10 Tips for the FACS 2010 guidance?