Case study
CALD Older People Resource
eCALD Supplementary Resources
Mrs Xie
Mrs Xie is an 85 year old woman from mainland China. She has lived independently in her own unit since her husband passed away five years ago. Her son and family moved to Australia a year ago. Her osteoarthritis has progressively limited her ability to shop, cook and clean her apartment.
Her concerned GP refers her to the AT&R service at the local hospital. The needs assessor on the assessment team arranges for home-based support services on her return home to help with shopping and cleaning.
Mrs Xie does not speak English. The caregiver, a European New Zealander, does not speak Mandarin. After the first two visits, a Chinese neighbour comes over and tells the caregiver that she can take a break because the unit is clean and Mrs Xie can manage the shopping.
When Mrs Xie next visits her GP, he notices that she is weak and exhausted. She has lost weight and is disoriented.