Module 5 – Abuse and Neglect Assignment

A. Work in a group, as assigned by your instructor.

B. Choose a group member to record the answers for the group.
C. Discuss the following scenarios and record your answers on the assignment sheets provided.
D. One assignment will be submitted per group— each member will receive the same mark,
provided all participants contributed equally.
E. Submit your answers to your instructor at the end of the session.
F. Assignment is out of 30 marks.
G. Each group member will receive the same mark, provided all participants contribute equally.
H. The assignment will count for 40% of your final mark in Module.

GROUP 4

Name: Sukhdeep kaur, Glendy Mejia , Bhawani Rijal , Karanvir kaur, sandeep kaur
dhaliwal , vivian

Date: march 20 - 2025

CASE #1

Mrs. Green is your client. She is 78 years old and has progressive degeneration of her hip joints
that makes it very difficult for her to get out. You have been visiting her for three weeks, helping
with the vacuuming, washing, and providing some social contact. Although Mrs. Green seems to
want you to continue coming to see her, you notice that she is very anxious about your leaving
on time. You feel that she is probably worried about the costs of your visits and wants to make
sure that she isn’t charged for extra time. You’re aware that Mrs. Green has a daughter and,
although she doesn’t say much about her, you get the feeling that the daughter does visit. You
have never met her, though. At the end of your last visit, Mrs. Green’s washer backs up, spilling
water all over the basement. Mrs. Green becomes very anxious, saying to you that, “It’s alright:
the water won’t hurt the floor. You’d better go, you’ll be late.” You can’t just leave the water on
the floor and insist on cleaning it up. Somewhat reluctantly, Mrs. Green decides to let you do this
and returns upstairs. Just as you’re finishing, you hear the door. A younger woman speaks to
Mrs. Green. You notice that her tone is harsh as she says, “You’re out of milk and bread? What
did you do with all of the food I bought last week? Feeding those damn birds again— you don’t
have enough sense to make sure that you keep food for yourself. Now I have to get stuff
because you’ve wasted what you had. Sometimes you act as though you don’t have a brain in
your head.” Concerned, you put away the last of the cleaning supplies when you hear the
younger woman say, “Whose coat is this?” When Mrs. Green replies that it is yours, the woman
continues, “What’s the matter? You aren’t satisfied with all that I do? You have to invite some
stranger into your house? Where are you getting all the money for this?” You go to the top of the
stairs. The younger woman says to you, “Thanks for your help, but my mother won’t be needing
you anymore. I’ll make sure that you’re well paid for today.” Mrs. Green looks miserable, but
helpless. She looks down at the floor.

1. Describe all the feelings that you (or other PSWs) might have in this situation. Explain
how they might be helpful or unhelpful in resolving the problem. (2 marks)
ANS:

★​ She feels worried

★​ She feels lonely
★​ She feels scared
★​ She doesn’t want to talk to anyone
★​ She feels afraid
★​ She feels anxious
★​ She feels financially and physically dependent

➢​ We feel that Mrs. Green was feeling lonely due to her age and physical condition.She
wants someone who will provide care to her and be with her but her daughter’s
behaviour towards her is aggressive and control everything to her. She doesn't like
strangers in the house and she cannot call someone for help. We also feel that Mrs.
 Green wants love, care and social connection. These feelings might be helpful to
manage the loneliness and provide care to Mrs. Green. But on the other hand, it is
unhelpful because her daughter doesn’t want to do that or assign a person for her.

➢​ We also feel that Mrs.Green feels scared when her daughter visits but this feeling is
unhelpful because PSW cannot say anything to her regarding her daughter's rude,
controlling and disrespectful behaviour towards her mother.

➢​ We also feel that she is dependent on her daughter for food and groceries but this
feeling is unhelpful because PSW cannot help her financially. However, this feeling can
be helpful when PSW will report to supervisior and they can arrange some finance help
from public services.

2. List three behaviours of Mrs. Green’s that indicate she may be abused. (3 marks)
ANS:

★​ Anxious

★​ Miserable

★​ Financial abuse

3. In this situation, describe how power is being exerted over another person. (2 marks)

ANS.
➢​ In this situation Mrs.Green’s daughter is exerting power over Mrs. Green by providing
her with groceries but also reminding her that she is the only one who is helping her.
However, she was controlling Mrs.Green’s choices over the food and social
communication by raising her voice with extremely rude behaviour. Due to situational
conditions her daughter uses this power to control the behaviour of her mother.

4. What action is appropriate for the PSW to take in this situation? Why? (3 marks)

ANS.
➢​ A PSW should report the situation with her observation to her employer or supervisor
via a written report; the report should include Mrs. Green’s (victim) and her daughter’s
(as the abuser’s) contact details, age, and gender with their phone numbers.
As this is a clear case of older abuse, the PSW should also keep a written record of the incident
and her daughter’s behavior towards her mother.
It is also a clear view of financial abuse. PSW should also report to the supervisor that Mrs.
Green is going through a financial crisis. So, the supervisor can assess the situation and offer
help to Mrs. Green via public services.
CASE #2

You have been assigned to assist Sarah, a new mother, care for her infant son. The mother
requires help as she has recently had a sprained ankle and wrist fractures. Although she can
get around, she cannot look after the infant and her 2-year-old daughter. Home care was
ordered by Sarah’s doctor, despite the family’s protests that they could manage on their own.
You have been visiting for two weeks. Sarah is a quiet, painfully shy person. However, little by
little, she has warmed up to you. She smiles more often now and seems very grateful for your
visits. Today, as you hand Sarah her son after his bath, you notice a large bruise on Sarah’s
upper arm. It is purplish and about 10 cm. (4 inches) in diameter. Sarah notices that you have
seen the bruise and says, “Oh, that— I hit the freezer door last night.” You must look doubtful,
as Sarah begins to cry. She tells you that her husband grabbed her arm and twisted it last night.
She begs you not to tell anyone, saying that she would be embarrassed if anyone knew. “He’s a
good man,” she says of her husband, “I’d have nothing if it weren’t for him.”

1. Describe all the feelings that you (or other PSWs) might have in this situation. Explain
how they might be helpful or unhelpful in resolving the problem. (1 mark)

Ans:
➢​ The feeling that PSWs will have in this situation is to confront the victim and the abuser
of their activity and to make sure of letting them know the consequences of it . It will be
very helpful for both because the abuser will be ashamed and will try to change his
behavior whereas the victim will gain more confidence of being bold and coming forward
with her problems.

2. Identify three signs that indicate Sarah is abused. (3 marks)

★​ A large bruise on Sarah’s upper arm
★​ The sprained ankle and wrist fractures.
★​ The emotions which she presents by crying to the PSW or the protest of the family not to
get the helper even when she had fractures and sprains .

3. Describe two ways in which Sarah is demonstrating denial. (2 marks)

★​ By denying about the mark on her forearm
★​ By calling her husband a good man and a person who gives her what she has now

4. What other emotion is Sarah displaying? (1 mark)

Ans :
➢​ Sarah is displaying an emotion of denial,acceptance,bargaining,conflict,and confusion.
5. What action is appropriate for the PSW to take in this situation? Why? (3 marks)

Ans: In this situation, the PSW should:

➢​ Report the abuse – It's important to tell a supervisor or the right authorities because
Sarah’s safety is at risk.

➢​ Support Sarah emotionally – Let her know she’s not alone, and encourage her to talk
to someone who can help, like a counselor or support service.

➢​ Respect her privacy but prioritize safety – Gently explain that reporting is necessary
to protect her and her children while making sure she feels safe and not judged.

Reporting helps protect Sarah and her children from further harm. Offering support shows her
she has options and can get the help she needs. Respecting her privacy helps keep the trust
between the PSW and Sarah.

CASE #3

You have been assigned to care for the Ross family. The family just had triplets: three girls. The
girls were premature, but they are now home after two months in hospital. There are two older
children in the family, Ray, age two, and Lori, age five. Although maternal and paternal
grandparents are all living, they reside 1600 km away and cannot visit to help. The family seems
to be loving and close-knit. The parents seem very happy with the new additions— although
they admit that the birth of three was very much a surprise. You have been with the family for
two months and over that time have noticed a change in Ray. He seems less able to run as
steadily as he did before. As well, he seems to be using more “baby-talk,” not speaking words
as clearly as he once did. He also seems to be more fearful. Today is your day off. You find
yourself in the Ross’ neighbourhood and decide to say hello. As you go up to the door, you see
Mrs. Ross violently shaking her son. She is visibly upset and is speaking to him in a very angry
voice.
1. Describe all the feelings that you (or other PSWs) might have in this situation. Explain
how they might be helpful or unhelpful in resolving the problem. (2 marks)

Answer:
➢​ Shock and Disbelief: It is upsetting and unanticipated to see child abuse.

➢​ Anger: Witnessing a child suffer harm may make one angry with Mrs. Ross.

➢​ Anxiety or fear: Worry over how to respond to the circumstance without making it
worse.

➢​ Sadness and empathy Having a strong sense of sympathy for Ray's plight and the
distraught mother.

If these emotions cause Ray to take quick defensive action, they may be beneficial. They may
not be beneficial, though, if they make the PSW react emotionally instead of professionally.

2. Identify the possible reasons for the angry outburst in Mrs. Ross. (3 marks)

Answer:
➢​ Extreme stress and exhaustion: Managing two children and three triplets, without
family help can be extremely stressful.

➢​ Postpartum depression or anxiety: Hormonal fluctuations and sleep deprivation may

be contributing factors to emotional instability in postpartum depression or anxiety.

➢​ Frustration with Ray’s regression: Dissatisfaction with Ray's regression: She might be
finding it difficult to handle his neediness and altered behaviour.

➢​ Feeling overwhelmed and unsupported: Feeling overburdened and abandoned, she

could be unsure of how to seek or obtain assistance.

➢​ Lack of coping skills: She may not have learned appropriate ways to manage stress
and discipline her children.
3. Identify two behaviours in Ray that indicate that he may be abused. (2 marks)

Answer
➢​ Loss of physical ability: Either physical injury or psychological discomfort may be the
cause of his decreased capacity to run steadily.

➢​ Speech regression and heightened anxiety could be signs of emotional trauma or

anxiety about his mother's response.

4. What action is appropriate for the PSW to take in this situation? Why? (3 marks)

➢​ Assure Ray's immediate safety: The PSW should contact child protection services or
emergency services (911) if Ray is in imminent danger.

➢​ Report suspected abuse: It is both legally and morally required of PSWs to notify child
welfare authorities of any suspected child abuse.

➢​ Remain composed and professional. An angry response could make things worse.
Instead, the PSW should handle the situation with tact.

➢​ Provide resources and support: If it is safe to do so, the PSW may recommend respite
care, mental health resources, or parenting support programs.

➢​ Record observations: The report can be strengthened by keeping track of Ray's

behavioural changes and any indications of abuse.