SWK 350 – Case Study 4
Susan is a Caucasian 50-year-old woman. She is primary caretaker for her partner, Grace, who is 62.
Grace was diagnosed at the age of 52 with Parkinson’s disease and her health has been declining ever
since. In the early days of their relationship, Susan and Grace travelled widely, they had a large network
of friends and although they don’t have any children of their own, they have nieces and nephews. Susan
is particularly close to her nephew Graham. Grace has generally taken the lead in decisions and in the
relationship. Sometimes she gets angry with Susan if she doesn’t do things the way Grace expects or if
Susan makes a suggestion which Grace sees as ‘stupid.’ Grace’s family have at times struggled with her
sexuality and while her relationship with her nieces and nephews is good, her relationship with her
brother Clive has been more difficult.
Over recent years Grace has become increasingly frail and has relied on Susan to wash and dress her,
support her to use the toilet, as well as maintain the home and cook meals. Two months ago, Grace had
a fall and was admitted to hospital. She was discharged to a rehabilitation center. Before the hospital
admission Susan and Grace were not in contact with social services. While in the hospital and the rehab
facility, Susan has visited every day and helped Grace with personal care. Grace frequently phones and
texts Susan. After six weeks of rehabilitation, Grace continues to need support to walk and with all her
personal care, including support at night. You, as the social worker, have been involved in a multidisciplinary assessment which has recommended that Grace needs 24-hour care. As part of this
assessment, Susan talked about how exhausted she is, and said that she no longer feels able to support
Grace at home because of the impact on her health. Grace has agreed to a trial three months in a longterm care facility.
Susan and Grace are not legal partners, as they never married. Susan has no power of attorney for
Grace. Susan is worried about the costs of a long-term home and how this will be paid for. She feels
guilty about ‘letting Grace down’ and sad about the future she will no longer have with Grace. Susan is
also worried about Clive’s reaction. They have exhausted most of their financial reserves on care for
Grace and while Susan is able to be employed, she has struggled to maintain steady employment due to
the constant demands of taking care of Grace. The couple survives on less than $2,000 per month which
must cover their mortgage and all other living expenses.
Susan has asked to speak to someone about her concerns. You meet with Susan and do an interview.
Your initial results are below:
What others like and admire about me:
It depends on their politics! I am a human rights activist, a peace campaigner and environmentalist. My
friends admire the strength of my life-long commitment to socialist principles.
What is important to me:
Socialist feminism
Cinematography
Being outdoors
Walks and good food
How best to support me:
Don’t make assumptions about me.
Read the notes before meetings or discussions so that I don’t have to repeat information.
Give me information and advice on how to find and finance the best possible care for my partner.
We need open-minded communities. Be aware and sensitive to us as a lesbian couple.
Recognize that I am still a caretaker even though Grace is in a care home.
Help me to carry on caring for Grace and to manage the impact for Grace and her family of her being in
a long-term care facility.
Support me to understand the implications for our home, finances and future decisions as we are not
married