Case Study Of Angus

I will be identifying several of the difficulties and rewards of caring for a family member, by referring to the case of Ann and Angus. Ann cares for her 72 year old step father Angus after the death of her mother. Angus is a retired welder from Glasgow who has Parkinson`s disease. Ann who used to be a promotions assistant gave up work to look after Angus as he needed more care. Bob, Ann’s husband is a carpet fitter and daughter Zoe who is 12 and attending school all live together with Angus in his house. Ann and her family, lived with Angus before when Angus`s wife took care of him before she died. A family carer undertakes many jobs that will be linked as caring for someone. Many of these jobs are part of daily living such as shopping, cooking
Ann, her husband and daughter already living in her parents’ house when her mother died, she was put on the spot and felt she had no choice, as she had promised her mother that she would look after Angus. Ann did not recognise herself as a carer. She was a wife and mother when speaking to her friend Cheryl. Cheryl was Ann’s friend that she worked with as a promotions assistant. Due to the amount of care that Ann was providing for Angus this had caused restrictions on Ann’s social life, as Ann had lost all her friends accept Cheryl. Isolation and loneliness are an inevitable part of caring. This has been referred to as `caring syndrome` (Cavaye, 2006) Ann was caring for Angus with no help from outside bodies, and limited help from her husband Bob as he and Angus did not get on. Caring for Angus was putting a strain on her relationship with her husband as they were having more rows and talking about splitting up. Both had suffered with depression and this was Ann’s second time with depression. Ann’s health was deteriorating with the extra pressure of looking after Angus, Bob and Zoe. Her daughter Zoe has been diagnosed with dyslexia, and her behaviour at school has caused concern. Ann did not realise how much care she would need to give to Angus, as some days he could do more than other
But because Ann never seen herself as a carer she did not think there was any help for her. But her friend Cheryl talked her into getting help. Ann tried on several occasions to contact social services but became very frustrated and disempowered by the lack of progress she was getting in help to look after her father. Access to services where constrained by poor communication and complex administrative procedures, which delays progress and leaves Ann feeling helpless, angry and frustrated. Ann and Angus would have to be assessed before any services would be put in place. The purpose of the assessment would be to determine Angus`s needs and the needs of Ann as his carer. The main assessment would be conducted by a social worker, who would then ask an occupational therapist and physiotherapist to assess Angus` needs a financial assessment to assess if Angus has the ability to fund care requirements. After all this information was gained then a care plan would be produced. The care plan details the services that Angus would require and any aids and adaptations to encourage his independence and mobility. This would also highlight the situation from Angus` point. Angus` relies on his daughter for all care assistance and social activity. Angus` has no friends, Bob Ann’s husband does not get on with Angus` so they just argue, and Bob bears no weight