End of Life Care

End-of-Life Care and Social Work Practice

The death of an elderly individual may occur in a variety of settings and circumstances. For example, an individual may die painlessly at home surrounded by the support of many loved ones, or an individual may suffer severe pain for months before dying in a health facility with little social support. In addition, it is possible that many health and helping professionals may interact with the dying person and his or her family.

For this Assignment, you consider a social worker's role in end-of-life care. In addition to reading this week's resources, conduct your own research and obtain at least one additional journal article that addresses how a social worker might support clients as they plan end-of-life care.

Submit by Day July 8, 2017  a 2- to 4-page paper that analyzes the role of the social worker in helping to plan end-of-life care. Include possible consideration of palliative care, euthanasia, hospice care, the living will and advanced directives, and other factors. Research and cite at least one journal article to support your analysis.

Support your Assignment with specific references to the resources. Be sure to provide full APA citations for your references.

Zastrow, C. H., & Kirst-Ashman, K. K. (2016). Understanding human behavior and the social environment (10th ed.). Boston, MA:  Cengage Learning.

o    Chapter 1, "Introduction to human behavior and the social environment: The strengths perspective" (pp. 13)

o    Chapter 14, "Biological Aspects of Later Adulthood" (pp. 654-684)

Plummer, S. -B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. M. (Eds.). (2014). Social work case studies: Foundation year. Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing. [Vital Source e-reader].

o    "Working With the Aging: The Case of Francine" (pp. 39–41)

Bosma, H., Johnston, M., Cadell, S., Wainwright, W., Abernethy, N., Feron, A., & ... Nelson, F. (2010). Creating social work competencies for practice in hospice palliative care. Palliative Medicine,24(1), 79–87.Retrieved from the Walden Library databases

Cagle, J. G., & Kovacs, P. J. (2009). Education: A complex and empowering social work intervention at the end of life. Health & Social Work, 34(1), 17–27.Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Dosser, I., & Kennedy, C. (2012). Family carers' experiences of support at the end of life: Carers' and health professionals' views. International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 18(10), 491–497.Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Reese, D. J. (2011). Interdisciplinary perceptions of the social work role in hospice: Building upon the classic Kulys and Davis study. Journal of Social Work in End-of-Life & Palliative Care, 7(4), 383-406.Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.