As noted from Suzanne’s description, it is evident that the old widow needs help. She is already suffering from early Dementia that requires urgent care. There is a growing number of Australians who have been diagnosed with Dementia. Latest statistics indicate that up to 342000 Australians are either in their early or advanced stages of this symptomatic health condition. This figure is anticipated to rise to 400000 over the next ten years. Dementia has proven to be a major health crisis because it immobilizes the victim completely.
In the case of Suzanne, there are a number of social or cultural organizations in Australia that can assist in addressing her case. For instance, the Alzheimer’s Association of Australia is a major social organization that focuses on the needs and concerns of Dementia and Alzheimer’s patients in the country (Alzheimer’s Association, 2016). It is a voluntary health organization. Since Alzheimer’s disease is the main cause of Dementia, the institution is referred to as the Alzheimer’s Association.
The association emphasizes the need for diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease since it is the major cause of Dementia. This social institution strongly believes that it is indeed life-changing for patients with Dementia symptoms to seek medical help as soon as possible. Both friends and families should also be encouraged to undertake Dementia tests on a regular basis. The institution has myriads of information and support channels through which individuals diagnosed with Dementia can receive much-needed help. In addition, the association states that it is not necessary to face Dementia in a lone manner when there is so much help and support.
The Alzheimer’s Association of Australia is committed to a number of activities in order to advance help and compassion to Dementia patients. For example, it conducts support and research in the field of Dementia and equally offers care to Alzheimer’s patients. As much as Dementia is a well-known medical condition, support and research are still needed so that the affected persons can be given the best possible care. This association also aims to boost the quality of life among patients suffering from Dementia.
The most crucial engagement of this association is that it funds critical research. As already mentioned, continuous research into the causes, prevention, management, and treatment of Dementia is tantamount. A patient like Suzanne can benefit from new findings in the management and treatment of Dementia since her condition is still in the early stage of development.
The association also offers education and resources to both patients and non-patients. The latter activities are part and parcel of raising awareness about Dementia and the importance of early screening. At this point, Suzanne needs to be educated on several aspects of Dementia. Since the association is well endowed with both knowledge and resources on Dementia, it can address her medical needs in the most professional and satisfactory manner.
The social organization also works closely or collaborates with other like-minded non-governmental organizations, the private sector (both individuals and corporate) as well as government agencies (Alzheimer’s Association, 2016). This partnership matrix is of a great boost to the association since it can hardly lack the necessary support. The institution aims to attain a universal solution to this medical condition.
Information about caregiving to patients diagnosed with Dementia has also been provided by the association through its website. Suzanne requires early-stage caregiving. There is a lot of important stuff and guidelines on how early-stage Dementia patients can be taken care of. Although Suzanne is in the early stage, she needs support even though the majority of individuals usually operate independently at this stage. We noticed that Suzanne can take part in the community but with the assistance of caregivers. Hence, she requires a care partner at this stage. Fortunately, the association has well-elaborated care plans.
For instance, the association offers valid materials and tools for assisting patients at this state which include duties of a care partner, getting educated, personal care, healthy living, comprehending and appreciating emotions and feelings, optimizing personal independence, and establishing a new balance.
Apart from the aspect of care partners, the association has an elaborate master plan for patients diagnosed with Dementia. Tips on daily care are primarily aimed at improving the quality of life among patients. For instance, the association observes that the daily life of a Dementia patient can be enhanced through music and art, healthy eating, regular and healthy communication as well as physical activities.
Tommy is already suffering from a high level of alcohol addiction. As an unemployed young man, he has no source of income to maintain his lifestyle. As a result, he has sunk into a depressive mood and more often demonstrates suicidal tendencies. In any case, he has been arrested for drunkenness and disorderly behavior. Tommy is bound to face prosecution in a court of law. The penalties are severe. They range from imprisonment to fines. If Tommy was an adult, he would be restricted from driving.
However, the drug diversion programs in some states in Australia can be a major source of reprieve for Tommy. Such programs are out there to assist individuals with addiction problems. Although they do not provide direct help, the programs work as referral points. In other words, individuals who are into the addiction of any kind of drugs (including alcohol) are referred to rehabilitation programs instead of taking them through the criminal justice system. Such persons are educated and gradually transformed behavior-wise (Legal Aid Queensland, 2015).
Legal aid service is available in a number of states. The National Legal Aid (NLA) centers have been strategically positioned to offer help to addicts like Tommy. Since he is still underage and unemployed, Tommy cannot hire legal services to argue his case in court. A case in point is the Legal Aid center in Queensland. The center offers crucial legal aid services such as publications and information on legal information, legal counsel for clients who meet the set threshold, and assistance in a criminal justice system. In the latter case, either a lawyer administering a suspect’s case or a duty attorney may be conducted by the legal aid center to assist Tommy to argue his case. The legal aid center is also keen on providing dispute resolution through the assistance of a lawyer, especially in cases of family wrangles (Rose & Thompson, 2012). Moreover, community legal education is common legal aid assistance offered in selected states within Australia. In the event that these centers are not in a position to offer legal aid or handle a case at hand, it may be referred to other partner institutions for further assistance.
One of the most outstanding attributes of legal aid centers spread across Australia is that the services offered are not charged (Legal Aid Queensland, 2015). Hence, an unemployed person like Tommy can still access the services without much strain. In recap, legal aid centers offer services such as referrals, community legal education, duty lawyer, advice, litigation in court, publications as well as general legal information.
Inequality in society is portrayed in various aspects. Societal inequality refers to socially defined characteristics that create an imbalance among people. To begin with, gender inequality is a major aspect of social imbalance witnessed in society today. Even though such inequality has existed since time immemorial, the prejudice that comes along with it makes a bold difference. For instance, gender discrimination at places of work, political appointments, or even in the general distribution of resources has led to a myriad of negative effects (Walker, Johns, & Halliday, 2015). Other forms of inequality in society may also arise from racism and negative ethnicity whereby individuals are segregated based on the color of their skin or tribal backgrounds. Age inequality may also be encountered when certain age groups are either favored or discriminated against when it comes to job appointments or the provision of special services. Inequalities in health are also possible in cases where healthcare is advanced only to persons who can pay for the services while the less fortunate households remain unattended. In the case of Sandy who has just lost her job and might be homeless soon, the family may grossly suffer because there is no means to earn a living. Her two children may also face inequality in the provision of education and healthcare. Sandy may also fail to be reimbursed fully after losing her job because she probably cannot afford to hire the services of a lawyer (Rose & Thompson, 2012).
Lack of socialization, depression, and loneliness are some of the factors associated with old age in Australia. Older people in Australia tend to be left alone with minimal care from close family members and so they end up lonely and poorly socialized (social isolation). Besides, old age usually ushers in numerous health-related conditions and complications such as side effects from medications, stroke, and heart disease (Walker et al., 2015). Suzanne who is 76 years old and suffering from early Dementia needs full-time support without which her lifespan can be shorter. She may also develop anxiety in the absence of social care and support.
Social, cultural, and economic backgrounds are associated with a number of factors. First, the educational background of an individual is a key social factor that determines employment opportunities. Special groups in society are likely to face unfair treatment. Examples include women, children, the disabled, and minority races. Economical factors include unemployment and a rise in the cost of living. The latter lowers the standard of living. Poor economic background also worsens the state of crime in society as is the case of Tommy.
A policy known as sole parenting is operational in Australia. The policy was adopted by the government owing to the increasing number of single parents and not employed. The policy aims to advance social security funding to women and children in single-parent households. Sandy and her children can indeed benefit from the policy.
Poor social support from both Tommy’s family and the local administration may affect Tommy’s mental health and lead to suicidal tendencies. Weak drug abuse laws may lead to rampant addiction and reckless lifestyle as witnessed in Tommy’s case. The belief system in matters related to religion and local customs can also compel Tommy to consider suicide. For instance, hopelessness may lead Tommy to commit suicide (Walker et al., 2015).
In regards to a decision that might be undertaken to assist Sandy’s family, it is crucial to begin by investigating if she was fired justly by her former employee. That requires the services of an attorney. If it turns out that she lost her job unfairly, Sandy should be compensated accordingly as provided for in the employment contract. Second, her children should be beneficiaries under the sole parenting policy. It is most likely that Sandy and her family will be homeless soon since she cannot afford to pay her rent. Unless they are enrolled in a government scheme on welfare support, the family may grossly suffer. Alternatively, Sandy should be given priority whenever government job vacancies are available as long as she qualifies.
Staff can monitor the services or work provided to Sandy in a number of ways. For instance, all records of her progress should be kept on a regular basis. Thereafter, a staff can peruse the records and make reviews and/or recommendations as deemed appropriate. In addition, a member of staff can also pay regular personal visits to Sandy and assess her condition. The best way to obtain the real picture on the ground is by interviewing Sandy and comparing her responses to the work or services that have been offered. If the services offered to Sandy are not suitable, her case manager should consider compiling a thorough report and present it to the social and cultural welfare department which is handling Sandy’s case (Cecily & Colleen, 2014). The report should address the need for urgent changes to the services being advanced to Sandy. Better outcomes for Sandy can be realized if her case manager expedites her issue directly to the concerned officers. Since Sandy’s children are part of the case, the case manager should even consider escalating the issue to the children’s department and argue that the minors’ life will be exposed to extreme danger if proper services are not offered. Such a process will also enlighten the community on the need of offering support to vulnerable households.
References
Alzheimer’s Association.(2016). Web.
Cecily, H., & Colleen, D. (2014). Dementia Policy in Australia and the ‘Social Construction’ of Infirm Old Age. Health and History, 2(1), 44.
Legal Aid Queensland. (2015). Web.
Rose, V. K., & Thompson, L. M. (2012). Space, place and people: a community development approach to mental health promotion in a disadvantaged community. Community Development Journal, 47(4), 604.
Walker, R., Johns, J., & Halliday, D. (2015). How older people cope with frailty within the context of transition care in Australia: implications for improving service delivery. Health & Social Care in the Community, 23(2), 216-224.