I enjoyed learning about the teachers and other administrators affiliated with Wayne State and the Social  Work program.  I think that we get caught up in school and we need to take time to see how the faculty has been in our position as a student, and see how far they have developed .I did not realize that students and other individuals can access look up this information of teachers and faculty affiliated with Wayne State. I think it is important to  see the teachers accomplishments throughout their career and how they developed as a professional. 

Professional Licensing and Exam Preparation

1.    I learned that to successfully passed the Clinical exam or the Advanced Generalist exam (for the Macro designation), both given by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). A passing score is 75% ,which I received a 73% on the practice exam, so I have some studying to do.

2.    In addition the WSU/SSW  – Office of Continuing Education & Professional Development typically offers a 1 day licensing preparation workshop in the fall and spring.  Approx. fee is $125.00 includes material

3.    The application process is very lengthy to fill out and it takes about 6-8 weeks for processing which I found to be  long  time.

4.    LIMITED MASTER’S SOCIAL WORK LICENSES ARE VALID FOR ONE YEAR AND CAN BE

RENEWED FOR NOT MORE THAN SIX (6) YEARS. Im not sure what this means what happens after the 6th year?

I think all the information learned is useful for future social workers because we have to abide by the requirements before obtaining a lincense.  

I chose the following site below because I think they were informational to talk about the requirements and some questions that could possibly be on the clinical exam.

http://www.socialworklicensure.org/state/social-work-licensure-michigan.html
talks about requirements for michigan social Workers.

http://www.simmons.edu/ssw/docs/LIC_Practice_Questions.pdf
 is a practice test and gives you answers on what could be on the exam.

 




    

I do not think I really encountered an A-ha moment ,but I think that I had a sense of "why is this my first online class?" I really enjoyed taking this class online. It was convenient, insightful, and I enjoyed reading the material assigned. At first I thought reading all this material would be difficult for me, but the books were beneficial and important for my career path. I loved reading The Giver because it allowed me to look at a different culture and society and how i would respond as a social worker .I want to continue reading the following books from Lois Lowry , i think there are two others following The Giver. In addition, I heard they are making The Giver into a movie that will be out next year. It will star Katie Holmes, Meryl Streep and Jeff bridges as the giver. One of the most shocking things I have learned was about was the statistics on older adults. As social workers, we need to be more aware and knowledgeable about certain issues that older adults face.  

In the last section of the book ,we see the growing relationship that has formed  between Robyn and Ptolemy. We get to see a more deep relationship that Ptolemy has for  his new friend Shirley too. He gets to revisit his childhood memories and past loves with the new treatment. In addition, he gets to ultimately find the truth about his nephew Reggie death, and can come to in a sense of " peace "before he passes away.


Ptolemy has experiences many forms of mistreatment.  Elder mistreatment,  which are actions perpetrated by a trusted other, intended or not, that risk harm to a vulnerable older adult (Phillips, et al., 2010, p. 79). Elder Abuse is a term that was apparent because people might take advantage of him because of his mental state. Hilly was one individual that stole his money and admitted that he thought Ptolemy would not notice. At the beginning of the book, we assume that maybe Ptolemy did miscount his money because of his mind. Later in the book, Hilly confirms that he did take advantage of Ptolemy’s vulnerability. (Phillips, Ajrouch & Hillcoat-Nalletamby, 2010, p 83). We get a sense of how Ptolemy acted in his environment before Robyn came was in the picture. When Robyn became a new family member presented in Ptolemy’s life this was a test to his overall environmental gerontology. It was presented that

Religion and spiritualty is expressed as multidimensional concepts that reference connections to a higher power Phillips, Ajrouch & Hillcoat-Nalletamby, 2010, p 181). Spirituality and religion play an important role during the end of an individual’s life. Ptolemy is always discussing The Devil or God in many ways.  Religion and spirituality is mentioned frequently in the book and the readers can depict that Ptolemy has a strong feels towards his doctor. He expressed that the doctor is the devil giving him devil injections with the mention of fire that is comparable to a fever. The last shot of the devils medicine. He also says that the  fire had been loaned by Satan .and errant angel undo coveted men’s souls”  (p. 216). Ptolemy explains that since he is seeking treatment he has sold his soul to the Devil.

Social Relations- is defined as social integration processes and mechanisms with distinct , multidimensional aspects, including networks, support types and exchanges , and support quality.  (Phillips, Ajrouch & Hillcoat-Nalletamby, 2010, p. 195) It seems that the only support system that Ptolemy had was with Reggie. After Reggie’s death, many family members become more supportive in managing Ptolemy’s health and home environment. He does encounter some unpleasant individuals along the way, but he gets to develop a deep relationship with Robyn and Shirley.  Ptolemy admits his love for Shirley because she was the only person, besides Robyn, that would help him remember and love him before the money and medicine. Without Robyn in Ptolemy’s life, I doubt that he would ever be resisting to treatment.

Palliative care is a term that means care that is provided at the end of life. This type of care involves attention to and control of the symptoms that causes the individual pain. (Phillips, Ajrouch & Hillcoat-Nalletamby, 2010, p. 161) Palliative care was a term that was not yet discussed but I believe that towards the end of Ptolemy’s life he received this time of care. When he was treated for his dementia, the doctors discussed that his disease cannot be cure but the overall quality of life can be improved by maintaining the symptoms that come with dementia. He had a nurse coming to the house to give him injections for his dementia. Ptolemy’s memory does come back towards the end of his time and he has a time to remember all the people in his life that brought him to where he is. Ptolemy describes how he thinks that watching TV was closes thing to revisiting his previous state of dementia. I think this was the first time the author actually stated that Ptolemy has a debilitating illness not just “old age”.

 

The next section in the book, discusses the relationship Ptolemy experiences with his past and present relationships. More importantly, this section portion of the book reflects how Ptolemy dementia is becoming more progressive.


Family Relation is family ties or bonds which have traditionally described connections between people based on relation of blood marriage or adoption and which are sustained throughout life (Phillips, Ajrouch, & Hillcoat-Nalletamby, 2010, p. 96). It is clear that Ptolemy has a strong connection with Coy and his family members. Each family member portrays an important role in Ptolemy’s life.
Even though Robyn is not related to Ptolemy, there are considered family through the care and affection that she provides him.  Robyn is protecting Ptolemy by standing up for him and speaking her mind to those who disrespects him. She tells him he must stand up for himself. Looking at the different generations and how Ptolemy becomes more comfortable around younger individuals like Sensia and Robyn.  Ptolemy is a bit confused and so was I, as to why young women are drawn to him.  Many people treat Ptolemy in an aging discriminatory way of older people, but Robyn has a different side to her.

Housing is a physical structure, which accommodates older people’s activities of daily living (Phillips, Ajrouch & Hillcoat-Nalletamby, 2010, p. 126). In the beginning of the book, it is discussed that Ptolemy has not kept up with the means of taking care of his home. There are bugs everywhere in Ptolemy’s home.  The house is so bad, that Robyn and Ptolemy they have to stay at a hotel until the house is bug bombed. His living condition is not good for his functional state. They filled four bags of trash and continue to clean the house.  On page 149 Sensia had begun to hoard things such as suitcases and clothes, newspaper, books and other collections. Since Sensia had a hoarding disorder, Ptolemy’s house could have been a lot worse and he did not have any help after she died to throw out her collection. It could have been difficult to throw something that could be relation to her.

Social Support
Social Support is discussed as the exchange of different types of resources channeled through supportive relationships (Phillips, Ajrouch & Hillcoat-Nalletamby, 2010, p. 126). Ptolemy’s overall quality of life has improved now that Robyn is taking care of him. I think that it is important to have a strong support system with the current functioning status that he is displaying. Shirley Wring has formed a bond with Ptolemy, along with his family members that are becoming more in assisting him with his daily activities that are needed to function throughout the day. They maintain a place that is clean that allows Ptolemy to recall past memories.

Bereavement
Bereavement is the situation of individuals who anticipate or experience loss of someone significant (Phillips, Ajrouch & Hillcoat-Nalletamby, 2010, p.p. 35.Ptolemy has dealt with numerous amount of loss in his lifetime. In a dream state there are multiple flash backs that allows the reader to get a better understanding of the people there were important to Ptolemy. He shares a unique relationship with his uncle Coy and his death has had a profound affect on him. He admired him, looked up to him and I think even witnessed him lynched. Then during his mental state has to deal with Reggie. I don’t think that Ptolemy with his condition, k now exactly what is happening to grieve for his Great Nephew Reggie. In fact, I don’t think that Ptolemy has ever addressed his loss for Sensia until in a dream state. I cannot imagine what it must have been like to spend 20 years or so with someone and have to see them pass while you were sleeping.  

Pension is a financial resource received once people have reached a certain age or have fulfilled other criteria and which provides protection against life’s contingencies by addressing the financial needs of people later in life (Phillips, Ajrouch & Hillcoat-Nalletamby, 2010, p.166) Ptolemy has expressed that he has money saved but it is not until the second part of the book we realize he has much more saved. He tells Robyn to open a suit cased filled with money from social security and retirement. He is lived on such little amount and he wants to share this money with Robyn. I think that Ptolemy had a plan to save his money but with his mind deteriorating (I really dislike this word and its used frequently in the medical profession) he could have forgotten about it.

 

Key Concepts in Ptolemy Grey

Loneliness
While reading the key concepts by Phillips, Ajrouch and Hillcoat-Nalletamby  (2010)  it describes loneliness as undesirable or negative feelings about how individuals perceive their situation in relation to other, particularly with regard to social engagement and interaction.  It also discusses the lack an intimate relationship with someone (Phillips, Ajrouch & Hillcoat-Nalletamby  (2010) p.148).
I don’t perceive Ptolemy as being labeled as wanting to be lonely and isolate himself. I look at it that he is waiting on Reggie to come every day and he realized that he is not coming and he is overwhelmed with guilt and sadness . think that he does not want strangers in his home because he cannot recognize them.
I believe that since Ptolemy finally has a woman in his life again, not just a friend like Reggie or Coydog, he has a woman that is like no one else, and they share a bond together because she shows him that he does not have to be alone .She shows him how to connect with another individual. He starts to realized he misses his wife I feel that he is a man that likes to keep to himself but I think the more he is around Robyn the more he realize he does not want to be alone.

Dementia –Dementia is considered a clinical state, characterized by a loss of function in multiple cognitive domains and accompanied by series of symptoms that have an affect on the function of the brain (Phillips, Ajrouch & Hillcoat-Nalletamby, 2010, p. 70).  
It is clear that Ptolemy has some form of dementia. I believe it is severe case of dementia. He forgets objects names and forming sentences. It is clear that there is ultimate damage on multiple lobes that impairs his functional state.  He seems frustrated a little when he cannot remember certain objects or people. 

Ambivalence is considered the feelings of tension contradiction and uncertainty experienced by people when they are caught between competing pressure to deal with the social personal and family needs or expectation of support from others (Phillips, Ajrouch & Hillcoat-Nalletamby, 2010, p. 25). 
 Ptolemy would ultimately like to live on his own without any assistance from other people, other than Reggie because he trusts him. It is clear that he does not want help from other people other family members but has this strong connection with Robyn.  Some of the family members question Ptolemy mental status, and act like he can’t care for himself with the consist checking up and asking him questions, and it does cause this sort of pressure on him.  Since he does not know Hilly, he has his guard up. When Robyn is cleaning up his home, she makes statements that make him feel uncomfortable and question his living condition.

Independence
Interdependence is described as a sense or state of physical, psychological and spiritual autonomy, self-identity, self-respect, control and degree of functional capacity (Phillips, Ajrouch & Hillcoat-Nalletamby, 2010, p. 131).  He has lived a certain way for a long time, and it is clear by the description in the book that he has trouble completing daily activities like getting groceries and paying his bills. He wants to be independent, but he does realize that he has confusion at this point.   It seems as if he cannot care for his overall daily activities with personal care like bathing, washing, and cleaning himself or his even a clean and safe environment home.I think that when he went into his bedroom to take off the sheets and tarp that was over the bed was a step in understating he needs to change. I admire the fact that even if he cannot recognize someone, he still has is sense of ability to recognize his spirit by having fun and being a confident individual.    

Dementia

Big Ideas from this week’s module

1.This module touches on the different types of dementia and their occurrence.

2.The effects that dementia has on the brain

3. Protective and risk factors for dementia

4 Examples

1. People who have dementia can develop many symptoms that are similar, but there are many differences among the different types of dementia. The most common type of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease .It affects about 417,000 in the UK. Decline in functioning  abilities rate of progression differs on the person . 

People who suffer from Vascular dementia about 112,000 . Typical symptoms with vascular dementia include verbal communication with periods of acute confusion. With vascular, the progression is step like pattern with periods of the individual symptoms stable, then they progressively deteriorate .Dementia with Lewy bodies will develop almost Parkinson’s symptoms. 

                                                           Armada Free Public Library
http://www.armadalib.org/


LOCATION
73930 Church Street
Armada, MI
586-784-5921

HOURS
Mon-Tue: 12pm-8pm
Wed-Thur: 9am-8pm 
Friday: 9am-5pm
Saturday 10am-2pm
Sunday-Closed

Mission Statement
The Armada Free Public Library provides up-to-date materials and information to people of all ages for their recreational and educational needs.


I spoke to a lady over the phone who stated that they offer resources to every on in the community.  They have people from the community come in and do a performances like magic shows , crafts for different holidays, book discussions, pizza parties, and in March they have Irish rovers perform. 
The librarian was  very friendly and helpful. She said that they mostly offer programs designated towards the whole community not just specific age. They do have a lot of Kids and teen activities which i never knew about growing up. 

                                                The Ray Township Library

Location
Address: 64255 Wolcott Rd, Ray, MI 4809
Phone:(586) 749-7130
http://www.raylibrary.org/

Hours
Monday- Thursday 1-8
Friday - closed
Saturday- 10 - 1
Sunday- closed



I spoke with Susan Gram and she was very nice and helpful. In fact, she even knows my grandmother  and her friends because they attend many of the senior center recreational events that are held through the township. Some of these events that they offer next to the library  are  senior surprise trips , sport tickets, cedar point, casino trips. Not everyone has to be a senior , the family is included  on these trips as well. 

She said that they have adult crafts about 4 times a year. They have tried numerous of knitting classes and summer reading programs for older adults ,but they dissolved quickly. She said  people did not go and they do not have the proper funding to provide like the larger libraries. She said most of the programs are geared around children like Mother days and fathers day and holiday activities for  the kids 

On their website they have   programs for Children's sch as summer reading and birthday parties and a children receives a free book. They have book reviews but i think it would be beneficial to have a group discussion on books.   

 

Location
65821 Van Dyke, MI 48094 |
 Phone: (586) 752-0603
http://romeodistrictlibrary.org/

Hours
Monday – Thursday 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Fridays & Saturdays 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sundays 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm (September-May)

I could not get in contact with anyone at the Romeo library like I mentioned above.
I have gone to this library numerous of times . The first couple of times I liked the environment and now I am dissatisfied. A lot has changed since last year. The internet is timed and I  can only access it a couple times before being logged out . I needed a library card, but I had to go to Armada because that's where i live, just to access the internet. 

On a positive note, they offer resources to the whole  community such as crochet group,financial aid night, and a
 chance for babies and their caregivers to meet, socialize, and enjoy stories, songs call Lap sSit. 

I liked how their website was more organized and you could tell they are more developed library than Armada and Romeo. They have DVD rentals showings, book discussions. They have a separate section for children and adults. Preschool and toddler story-time and lap sit story time for 


The Romeo District Library offers outreach Services  seniors who live within the Library boundaries.  Services include delivery of books, large print books, and audio books. Arrangements may also be made by family members to have regular parcels of materials available for pick up as well as delivery by a librarian. 
Outreach also includes programs in cooperation with the Romeo/Washington/Bruce Senior Centers.

I have to say that I have never heard this song before and I really enjoyed the lyrics.Even if you are not a fan of his work, listening to the Conversation Peace is really powerful. I think the title of the song sets up what he was intended  imply. He wanted people to listen to this song and get reactions from it.  By labeling a song “conversation peace” it can receive positive and negative reaction from different individuals interpreting the song.

A few lyrics I thought were powerful when I was listening to the song they were

We can't pause, watch and say "no" this can't be
“And we shouldn't act as if we don't hear nor see”
“All for one, one for all
There's no way we'll reach our greatest heights
Unless we heed the call
Me for you, you for me
There's no chance of world salvation
Less the conversation's peace”

I think the main idea is that we all need to join together and stand up to acknowledge that there needs to be change, and if we don’t things will stay the same.  Through faith and trusting in others is the only way we will get to that point to ultimate peace within.

 

http://www.cdc.gov/aging/han/action-briefs.htm

The link that I have provided is located on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention on Healthy Aging. I was surprised that I  came across this in the CDC website. I thought that this website would discuss treatment for certain disease and diagnoses such as dementia ,but I was not expecting for this webisite to provide important information regarding  older adults and their caregivers.  There are different tabs that are located in this website that include older adults and their caregivers which include resourceful articles,charts and other websites on death and dying.The main reason  I provided this link is that it discussed  preparing the caregivers during the dying process and after the older adult passes. In addition, they discuss  bereavement processes, medication coverage and care management .Understanding older adults medical concerns is essential for social workers care management when discussing the care of the patient to the family .
I think that this link is beneficial for any social worker working with older adults. This website provides a variety of topics that can be discussed the patient or the patient's family.  I think that this website would have been beneficial when I interned at Seasons Hospice. When i was an intern , I had limited resources . All I had was bereavement group information and it would have been important to understand the medical concerns.
I hope you find this website informative.