Case Studies
Introduction
Throughout this course, we have been following these three adults. Their case studies will serve as the foundation for this week’s assignment. Refer back to this study as often as needed.
Scenario
The Riverbend Community Center for Aging Adults has just received a grant for $10,000 but no one can agree on how to use the money. Pam shares her plan to start a short interactive discussion series on diversity. Julia counters that with the raising rates of mental health problems in the area, the money would be better spent in a lecture series on mental health. Eli interrupts to share statistics on the number of older adults using social media and suggests courses in using different social media platforms.
The Individuals
Eli (25 years old)
I’m so frustrated. Julia and Pam never listen to anything I say. They treat me like I’m a kid. I know my idea is better than theirs. We aren’t getting enough attendance at any of our functions, so we need to try something different. Why wouldn’t older adults want a workshop on how to use social media? Pam’s stuck in the dark ages and assumes anyone her age and older must be too. I try to be respectful. I know she’s had a hard life. It can’t have been easy to grow up in the 50s and 60s as a Black woman. But some respect has to be earned. She’s dead wrong about this. And Julie, she’s sure anyone who doesn’t work 50 hours a week at this job can’t be serious. It’s so annoying. So what? I put my 40 hours a week in and that’s it. I’ve got my own life to live. I’m not going to spend time at work that I could be spending with my girlfriend. Not to mention the weather’s getting nicer and it’s time for my baseball team to start practicing. I just don’t get how Julia can have a husband and two kids and still work all the time.
Julia (42 years old)
No one listens to a middle-aged Latinx. Honestly, I don’t know how I can get through to Eli and Pam. So many older adults are struggling with mental illness, of course we should be offering a lecture series on mental health. But oh no, Eli is sure everyone is like him—obsessed with social media. Who has time for that? I’ve got two kids in elementary school and a husband who’s been out of work for almost a year. I’ve got to keep this job. I’m here every hour of the day to show them all I’m dedicated. That I’m capable. And still, no one listens. Eli talks right over me every time I try to speak. And Pam, she just ignores me and what he thinks. I should be home taking care of my kids but I’m here trying to look up more information to support my points. My husband’s going to be upset. I promised I’d be home for dinner for a change, but I really think this is important. We should be a source of help in the community, not just entertainment. Oh, I’m so stressed all the time. I’m worried we won’t be able to pay the bills. I’m worried the kids will hate me for all the time I’m putting in at work. I’m worried my husband will never get another job. It’s a miracle I can get out of bed in the morning.
Pam (69 years old)
These kids are stubborn and think they know everything. Eli treats me like I should be in a nursing home already. He’s so sure I can’t use a computer and so condescending when he shows me what to do. My grandson can show respect, I don’t know why Eli can’t. And Julia? You’d think a Latina would be more supportive of the challenges of a Black women. She’s always talking about the stress of working while having young children at home. She forgets I’ve got both my mom and my grandson living with me. Thank goodness my grandson doesn’t mind helping out. It’s been such a relief since he got his driver’s license and can help with the errands. It’s not easy being an older Black woman today. My goodness, I think half of our clients assume I’m janitorial staff. I really think we need to run a series on diversity. Our community has changed so much in the past twenty years and our clients are struggling to relate to their new neighbors.