I attached case study and questions
Dante Cillo Case Study
Chapin, R. C., Nelson-Becker, H., Gordon, T., & Terrebonne, S. (2002). Elder abuse assessment
resource. University of Kansas: School of Social Welfare.
The Agency
You are a social worker in the State Department of Social Services- Adult Protective Services
Division. Your agency is mandated to respond to reports of elder abuse and neglect and to
implement a treatment plan for such vulnerable adults in the community. The agency refers
clients for a variety of medical and mental health services and can also remand clients to the
court system for mandatory placements.
The Client System
Dante Cillo is an 82-year-old man who lived with his wife until her death last year in a private
house in the suburbs of South Carolina. Mr. Cillo is suffering from congestive heart failure and
arthritis. He is not strong enough to perform certain activities of daily living including cleaning,
shopping, and cooking. He tires easily and has chronic pain. His physical condition is
deteriorating, and it is apparent that within the next several months he will require additional
supportive services, including help with personal hygiene and physical mobility. Mr. Cillo has
been paying for a home attendant to come in twice a week to assist with shopping, cleaning,
and cooking. The cost of $100 per week has been drawn from his savings account. His income
consists of his retirement pension and a Social Security check which total $1850 per month,
plus a small amount of interest from approximately $200,000 in savings. His only other asset is
the house, valued at approximately $175,000. Mr. Cillo’s daughter, Mary Martinis is concerned
her father is giving away his money to her brother, Frank. Frank is a shoe salesman. He has
asked his father to move in with him. Frank is not married and lives alone. Frank is described as
a gambler by his sister, Mary. She is concerned Frank will spend all of the father’s money and
the father will not have funds for his care needs. She wants the Department of Social Services
to protect her father (whom she believes is being financially exploited by her brother) and to
stop her father from moving in with Frank.
Key concepts
Caregiver
Passive neglect
Active neglect
Self-determination
The right to choose
