Question: How the experience described in the picture can strengthen a social work student? Need Assignment Help?
My field placement is at an organization that provides hospice care in Philadelphia and in nearby suburbs. This area is very diverse, so I get to meet patients (and their families) representing all kinds of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. From day one I noticed that race predetermines the quality of care a hospice patient receives. In fact, patents what are living in expensive senior living facilities in the suburbs are all of European origin. Meanwhile, patients what are either placed in badly run nursing facilities in Philadelphia or are staying at home (also, in inner Philadelphia) are all African American. One patient I am helping right now is an African American woman who lives a predominantly African American neighborhood low-income urban area and her family members are tasked in caring for her. This female patient is longer able to care for herself, and her family is struggling with the role of being primary caregivers. The first time I visited their house it was hard to navigate through because it was dark and full of litter and expired food. This patient has seriously declined in the past two weeks. I visited this patient two days ago with my supervisor and we found her almost skeletal, naked, and curled up in an armchair with caregivers nowhere to be found. Unfortunately, Medicaid and Medicare do not cover all types of skilled nursing care. And, if does agree to pay for it the cheapest facility is usually picked. Luckily, insurance covers a five-day respite for caregivers. But, looking for one is not a quick process. I really hope that this patient has been transferred already or will be by Monday.