Case study (questions 1–8) Jun-Wei Yu is a 25-year-old man of Chinese heritage w
ID: 239546 • Letter: C
Question
Case study (questions 1–8)
Jun-Wei Yu is a 25-year-old man of Chinese heritage with Down syndrome. He lives in a group home supported by personal care workers, employed by a large disability support organisation.
Jun-Wei is able to do some of his personal care tasks with prompting. He can shower himself with reminders about proper washing and with assistance to dry his back, feet and hair; he can brush his own teeth, but also needs to be reminded to do this. With assistance, Jun-Wei can select appropriate clothing; he can dress himself but cannot tie shoelaces. He can shave with an electric shaver.
Jun-Wei loves chips and lollies. Staff must plan meals for Jun-Wei and other residents to ensure they are well-nourished. Jun-Wei can peel vegetables and make a sandwich without help. Jun-Wei does not understand the different denominations of money or how much things cost. However, he likes to have money in his pocket to spend at the shops. He can move around independently but cannot catch public transport or walk to places without being accompanied. Sometimes he wanders out of the house or away from his group, thinking he can find his way back when he wants to.
Jun-Wei also suffers from asthma that is sometimes brought on by exercise or stress, and eczema that is sometimes brought on by stress and heat. He has puffers and creams that he must be reminded to use. Those who know Jun-Wei well can understand him when he talks but strangers or those he doesn’t know well find him difficult to understand. This is partly due to him mumbling when he feels shy. Jun-Wei will sometimes hug and stroke people he feels comfortable with or when he is very happy.
Question
1.Choose two areas of personal care; for example, washing and mobility. For each area, identify any equipment, assistance (care processes) and aids that would be required to support Jun Wei, ensuring that these are appropriate for his level of ability.
2. What people should be included when gathering information about Jun-Wei’s abilities and support needs? How might the information be obtained?
3. What do you think the effect might be on Jun-Wei if a worker insisted on washing him in the shower rather than encouraging him to do it himself? What long-term effects might this have on him and his care?
4.Do some research using the internet or a library. What kind of effects might Jun-Wei’s cultural heritage have on the way personal care support is provided to him.
5. What are the physical needs that should be considered for Jun-Wei?
6. What risks could you identify in providing care to Jun-Wei? How would they be reported?
7. Imagine that you are introducing a new staff member to work in the group home where Jun-Wei lives. What information would you give them about encouraging Jun-Wei to participate in his own care and daily living activities?
8. What could a new staff member do to ensure they have put Jun-Wei at ease and confirmed his preferences for care?
Explanation / Answer
1) For washing himself head shower can be provided so that less effort is needed to get himself washed and the risk of drowning is also less.
For mobility he can be provided bicycle with extra support and safety helmet and can be taught to ride in short distances.
2) The people who can be included are the staffs of the centre. A detailed assessment on his activities and lifestyle can be carried out by with the help of a checklist pre prepared containing some open and closed questions.
3)The goal of his care is providing maximum liberty as well as support in meeting his self care needs. The workers should understand that if Jun is able to perform certain activities then he should be encouraged to do so as it can promote independence and improved ability of self care. Long term effects of helping Jun can cause impaired activities or intolerance which can affect his remaining ability.