Care Partnerships Will Maximize Rebecca\'s Independence? Care

¶ … Care Partnerships Will Maximize Rebecca's Independence?

Care partnerships can help Rebecca in many ways, including increasing her independence. Rebecca cannot be fully independent, but her independence can be maximized via the use of ancillary services. Rebecca also needs psychological and social support services as she is feeling increasingly more pessimistic about her changing condition. Given that, the care partnership should include a support group, individual psychological counseling, as well as family counseling. A support group will help Rebecca receive support from others in her situation and will reduce Rebecca's social dependence on her family. This way, Rebecca can enjoy her sister's company and that of her husband and young children without viewing them as her only source of social support. The group will also help Rebecca receive advice related to her medication situation, and the breakdown of communication between her and her husband. Regarding that, the psychological counseling will be instrumental in her care partnership. Psychological counseling on an individual level will help mitigate depression and the symptom of reduced concentration. The relationship strain in her marriage is an issue, too, and this needs to be addressed both within the individual counseling relationship and also in couples counseling. When the children are older, perhaps family counseling might also be a part of the care partnership.

What is a care partnership?

A care partnership entails collaboration among various health care professionals and organizations. According to the State Government of Victoria (2013), "All PCPs include hospitals, community health, local government and divisions of general practice as core members of the partnerships." However, there are multiple permutations of care relationships that can comprise the care partnership. In the case of Rebecca, occupational therapy would be one domain in addition to her primary care physician.

A care partnership is tailored to serve the needs of the client, and is also crafted within the unique framework of each community. Some care partnerships involve dental care; others psychiatric interventions. There may be support groups, and cultural organizations serving the needs of various ethnic or linguistic communities. A care partnership reflects a holistic model, in which all aspects of the patient's life are addressed. The care partnership also reflects an understanding that many patients require multiple levels of care along different dimensions. In Rebecca's case, the care partnership includes psychological and social support services, occupational and physical therapies, and perhaps child care services as well.

Why are these services important?