Reference no: EM133554063
Systems interact within the span of a person's lifetime in order to formulate a whole unit for that person at a point in their life (Zastrow, Kirst-Ashman, 2019). Systems are ever changing. For example, when a person is an adolescent, their systems will consist of school personal, sports coaches, or maybe youth group leaders. When a person is in later adulthood, their system may be their spouse, adult children, or boss at work. These ever-changing systems will change and help the individual develop as a person throughout their lifespan. For example, for Lester, he was married at a point in his life. His spouse was likely a support within his system at some point in his life (Walden University, 2021). Lester's system is now becoming more from larger systems such as the nursing agencies. Subsystems are systems that are more secondary in a person's life (Zastrow and Kirst-Ashman, 2019). Lester's systems are becoming more subsystems as the more involved person in his life is his sister-in-law.
If I were a social worker working with Lester and his systems, I would likely call for a family team meeting. It is obvious that Lester is struggling with making a recovery following his accident (Walden University, 2021). Family engagement and support systems can help to contribute to the wellbeing of people in nursing facilities (Brubaker & Schiefer, 1987). I am a huge advocate of the saying, "It takes a village". I really utilize this saying when working with families in my current role as a child protection worker. This can easily be applied to Lester. Lester is lacking connection from family members as they are not visiting him or interacting with him, with the exception of his sister-in-law. As a result, he is depressed (Walden University, 2021). If I were working with Lester, I would hold a meeting with family to develop and discuss what more they can do to help Lester so that he has a better outcome.
As stated above, in my current practice, I strive to bring families together and help individuals understand the importance of family and kin connection. I utilize the systems theory by encouraging families to problem solve together, have family meetings, and discuss ways to fix issues within their individual system. As an individual working in CPS, we see less reoccurring abuse from families that get involved and provide support to the families. Additionally, we see better outcomes for children when they remain with family or kin, as opposed to being in foster care, where they are completely disconnected from their system.
Respond to the post in one or more of the following ways:
1. Critique your colleague's suggestion about how to apply a systems perspective to Lester's case.
2. Identify one way that a concept in your colleague's post might contribute to advocacy and social change.
3. Discuss how you might apply the empowerment and strengths approach to one of the concepts your colleague has presented.