Problem: Read the story and answer the questions.
Ida is 85 years old. She is frail and suffers from dementia. Her 55-year-old son, Joe, has with her since his divorce 9 years ago. Joe is an alcoholic who is often unemployed because of his drinking. Family members notice that the house is dirty and that the refrigerator has more beer than food. Ida is losing weight and sometimes has bruises on her arms and legs. When they ask Joe about it, he says that she falls frequently because of her dementia and often refuses meals.
Before Ida became forgetful, her family encouraged her to ask Joe to leave, fearing that he was taking advantage of her. She refused to hear of it, saying that her son needed her.
- What services could Ida's family put in place to help her?
- How can Ida's family help Joe to be a better caregiver?
- What are 3 ways to allow Ida to live with her son while protecting her from potential abuse?