CASE PRESENTATION

By: Raven Bullock

MEET THE CLIENT
We nicknamed my client Mr. Bakos
My client was a 75 year old male
He is originally from Greece but resides in Bennettsville, SC
He lives in his home with his elderly wife
They have 2 sons
They are Greek Orthodox
Own a restaurant in South Carolina named Dairy Dream
THOUGHTS
Prior to interview/Biases
An elderly man from Greece may not
be susceptible to a young, African
American woman interviewing him
Greek Orthodox sounds like a strict
religion
What brought him to the US?
WHAT I LEARNED AFTER THE
INTERVIEW
This client is very private
Due to his condition he struggles to
speak but only allows his wife to say
little. He gives her looks when she has
said too much and then she closes her
mouth (she is very submissive to him)
His religion is a form of Christianity
Two of his sons moving to the US
prompted him and his wife to move
here and create their own restaurant
DIAGNOSIS RESEARCH
Mr. Bakos was diagnosed with amyotrophic laterals sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou
Gehrig disease.
This is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and
the spinal cord. This causes his muscles to go lymph and not be in use.
ALS is a difficult disease to diagnose. There is no one test or procedure to ultimately
establish the diagnosis of ALS. It is through a clinical examination and series of
diagnostic tests.
Symptoms vary per patient.. One person may have trouble grasping a pen or lifting a
coffee cup, while another person may experience a change in vocal pitch when
speaking.
CARE TEAM RECOMMENDATIONS
Patient continues to have nursing visits only once a week at his home.
Uses a Triology CPAP machine and has a specialized wheelchair.
CAN services provided 7 days a week.
Due to the wife having recently been hospitalized, he needs to be moved to skilled
nursing facility. She is very anxious and requires a lot of support now.
1. Their two sons are providing some support.
2. One son is running the restaurant.
3. They have hired some people to provide help with housecleaning, cooking, etc., to
take the responsibility off the wife.
MY SUGGESTED CHANGES
He and her get moved to nursing home in Bennettsville into the same room (Dundee
Nursing Home) so that they can be near their sons and restaurants OR they moved to
Scottish Pines located here in Laurinburg to receive treatment.
He requires around the clock care and with her health declining, she will no longer have
the strength to care for him and herself.
COMPETENCIES AND PRACTICE BEHAVIORS
Competency 1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 was used a great deal considering my BSW supervisor was
with me to see how well I did my interview and demonstrated professionalism.
Competency 2: 6, 7, 8 were used when understanding Greek culture and me not
expressing how I felt about the wifes timid demeanor when being told to be quiet
Competency 4.11 was used to further explain his diagnosis of ALS
Competency 5.14 was used to determined care team recommendations and my
suggested changes
Competency 6.18 was used to express empathy for the diagnosis of his disease and
current physical state when apologizing for his slurred words
REFERENCES
Symptoms and Diagnosis. (2016). Retrieved March 14, 2017, from
http://www.alsa.org/about-als/symptoms.html