Psychiatric advance directives (PADs) are legal documents that allow individuals to express their wishes for future psychiatric care and to authorize a legally appointed proxy to make decisions on their behalf during incapacitating crises. PADs are viewed as an alternative to the coercive interventions that sometimes accompany mental health crises…

Clients who are incapacitated in some manner do not lose their right to self-determination, although they may lose the ability to exercise that right. Examines the concept of self-determination and argues that an obligation exists to provide clients with representative proxies for decision making. (Author)

Examines the interaction between caseworker, caretaker, and client in foster care placement of the elderly and offers suggestions for strengthening the worker's role. Interaction between caseworker, caretaker, and client needs strengthening. Caseworkers need a sound understanding of their own role and of the expectations held by agency, caretaker,…

Addresses the issue of educational interventions for families of the chronically mentally ill. Advocates that, because of their psychosocial orientation and case management expertise, social workers are best qualified as family educators. Recommends covering diagnostic and medication issues, information on social service networks, an overview of…