Question

Review the content on people and power in communities, social support networks, and empowerment and communities. Read the scenario below and answer the subsequent questions:

1.        In what ways does Chuck have power and in what ways does he not? (Power may involve information, wealth, reputation, high status, holding a decision-making position, laws and policies, connections.)

2.        What social support networks might be developed or enhanced for Chuck to empower himself?

3.        In what other ways might Chuck’s involvement with the community be enhanced?

SCENARIO: A concerned neighbor, Al, referred Chuck, 77, to the Hustlebustle County Older Adults Protective Services Unit. Chuck lives in his small rundown two-story home in an urban neighborhood. Al reported that twice he found Chuck had fallen helplessly on the ground while walking out to get his mail. Both times Al had to practically carry Chuck back into the house. Chuck has rheumatoid arthritis which makes it very difficult to walk even with his two canes. Additionally, his eyesight is very poor. Al also raised questions about Chuck's ability to shop and cook for himself.

Chuck’s wife Vicki died two years ago after a long bout with intestinal cancer. Since her death, Chuck has remained isolated and alone. He has three sons. Only his oldest son Mike, 48, lives in the area 12 miles away and owns a small delicatessen. Mike works long hours to keep his business afloat and has little time to spend with his own family, let alone with Chuck. Mike and his wife Jane have three teenage daughters. Chuck is proud of his grandchildren and looks forward to seeing them on holidays. Jane works part-time in the deli to help out whenever she can. Jane calls Chuck every few weeks to see how he’s doing. Sometimes, she drives him to medical appointments or to pick up some groceries.

Chuck’s second son Horace, 42, is a pop artist in San Francisco. The youngest, Henry, 35, is a worm farmer in Idaho. Both are single. Chuck usually talks to them on the phone every month or two. Chuck used to attend church regularly. However, the church is located four blocks from his home and he finds it too difficult to walk there. He no longer can drive.

Chuck considers himself an intelligent, independent man who worked hard all of his life as a carpenter. However, since his arthritis took a turn for the worse ten years ago, he has had to stop working. He is now facing financial difficulties. He has experienced many years of little income and high health costs for both him and his wife. He is becoming increasingly depressed at his failing health. However, he clings doggedly to the notion he must remain in his home. To do otherwise, he thinks to himself, would mean giving up and accepting certain death. Chuck is aware of the Happy Heavenly Health Care Center, a nursing home five blocks from his home. He has sadly watched some of his friends enter it and dreads the thought of having to go himself.

In summary, Chuck’s problems include: failing health involving arthritis, poor eyesight, and intestinal distress (the last of which he does not like to talk about); loneliness; having few activities to keep him busy; and feeling unwanted and unimportant. Strengths include: intelligence; independence; ownership of his home; having concerned children; and an outgoing, sociable personality. Some of Chuck’s likes include: a love of reading classical novels (on bright days when his eyesight improves slightly); seeing his children; playing stud poker; and drinking beer (not light, because he thinks it tastes like colored water).

Answer 1

1. Chuck ‘s developmental history is complicated by a simultaneous experience of both positive and negative evaluations of power. As an elderly living alone and battling with rheumatoid arthritis and a deteriorating vision, it would appear that his old age is his biggest weakness. However, on a closer analysis, it is gaged that his age has also brought in some empowering factors. His biggest sources of power are his personal evaluations of himself as an intelligent, Independent hardworking adult . His financial independence and private ownership of assets like property and car makes his situation better than other elderly. Moreover, he appears to possess a great deal of social power as he enjoys the support and presence of his family members, neighbours and church and friends. Moreover, accessibility to resources in his neighborhood in terms of grocery, recreational/ cultural activities through church and even healthcare facilities for the elderly population, points towards the fact that Chuck also has power in relation to social and economic status. His ability to engage in leisure activities such as reading his favourite novel, playing poker and moderately indulging in alcohol, at his age, he is perhaps at a relatively more powerful position compared to other elderly.

However, the other side of Chuck’s life is marked by certain debilitating factors which add to his evaluation of weaknesses. His health condition specifically his inability to walk and be able to access the local market, church, etc. due to rheumatoid arthritis and ocular degeneration has made him feel physically powerless. The absence of prolonged physical contact with his family and friends has rendered him emotionally and socially weak and he has begun to feel lonely and isolated. His health condition has further reduced the sphere of his activities and he appears to feel powerless due to the scanty options of activities available to him to keep him stimulated and feeling active. Lastly, his dwindling finances due to his and his wife’s medical expenditure are an emergent problem and add to his experience of financial powerlessness at this stage of life.