MRS. SOLOMON: It’s so nice to have company. What did you say your name was?

SOCIAL WORKER: I’m Ellen Brown, MRS. Solomon. I’m here because your daughter asked me to
come see you. How are you doing today?

MRS. SOLOMON: Oh my goodness, I’m fine. I wish everyone would stop fussing about me. You
know, when you’re 78, you can’t expect to do the same things you did when you were younger!

SOCIAL WORKER: Can you tell me about the fussing? What are they worried about?

MRS. SOLOMON: Well, you know, I was here awhile back, I’m not really sure when….And, well, I had
my car, and I don’t know where I was going, but when I was trying to get home, well I had to call my
daughter. I had that…ah….that, you know, little telephone.

SOCIAL WORKER: Cell phone?

MRS. SOLOMON: Yes, cell phone, with her number in it. I use it to call her all the time now. But
anyway, she had someone come find me. I told her I won’t drive anymore, so I don’t understand why
she’s still fussing!

SOCIAL WORKER: Has there been anything else?

MRS. SOLOMON: Well, let me think. I think my daughter thinks her dad can’t take care of himself.
Makes me mad. My son, now, he doesn’t fuss. He comes to see me every Sunday. Brings me the
Sunday newspaper. I guess you can see (motions) there are some of the ones that he’s brought!

SOCIAL WORKER: That’s a big pile of papers, Mrs. Solomon! Do you need help to get those to the
recycling?

MRS. SOLOMON: Oh, I can do that. I just haven’t gotten around to it. Now—what did you say you
wanted?

SOCIAL WORKER: I’m here from an agency called Aging Options—I’m a social worker and I help
people figure out if they need services to stay safe and comfortable in their own apartment.

MRS. SOLOMON: Oh. Well, I’m safe and comfortable here!

SOCIAL WORKER: MRS. Solomon, you have dinner in the dining room downstairs, is that right?

MRS. SOLOMON: Oh yes. Though, sometimes I forget to go down—I’ll look up and it’ll be 8 pm, and
I’ll think, darned if I didn’t miss it! Then I’ll have a piece of toast or something. Some of the people
down there aren’t too nice, either. I used to sit with some ladies, but now they usually sit at a table for 4
and there’s no place for me. They told me I couldn’t play Bridge with them anymore too, can you
believe! Not very nice at all! So I sit with my friend, or by myself.

SOCIAL WORKER: That’s too bad! What happened with the Bridge playing?

MRS. SOLOMON: I can’t really say, but they don’t invite me anymore. I think I took too long to play
my cards…But you know, they take it too seriously! I wanted to have some fun. I was upset for awhile,
but my friend tells me not to worry!! (Laughs.)
SOCIAL WORKER: Were you a good Bridge player?

MRS. SOLOMON: Oh, yes, I used to play several times a week, belonged to a club…But I’m not as
quick as I used to be. Just part of getting old, I guess.

SOCIAL WORKER: How about the meals you eat here. May I take a look at what you’ve got on hand
in your kitchen?

MRS. SOLOMON: Well, I can tell you, we get taken to the grocery store on the bus, but I missed the last
one or two trips. I don’t have much. But my friend brings me a sandwich and some fruit. She’s very
sweet. We don’t do anything but hold hands, but that’s nice. I miss my wife…

SOCIAL WORKER: How do you spend your time, MRS. Solomon?

MRS. SOLOMON: Ummmm….I mostly watch TV. Sometimes I’ll go down to the lounge in the
building and talk with other people, but usually I sit here. My friend comes over most afternoons for
awhile. We watch Dr. Phil together, and that other….you know, the one after….

SOCIAL WORKER: Oprah?

MRS. SOLOMON: Yes, Oprah! Bernard likes those shows, and he brings me something to eat in case I
didn’t have lunch. I have a sweet tooth, but I’m not much of a cook anymore…

SOCIAL WORKER: What are some of the things you used to do? I see you have many books here.

MRS. SOLOMON: Yes, Well, I like to read, but I don’t read too much except the newspapers. I used to
paint, but I don’t have the things for that anymore…I never get to the store for it. And I’m not sure I
know what to paint. Too old, I think.

SOCIAL WORKER: And do you get much exercise?

MRS. SOLOMON: Oh, just picking up here, maybe doing my laundry. Once in awhile, my friend
comes for me and we take a walk. She’s still a good walker! I like to go, but I only do if she comes for
me. I don’t know my way around here.

SOCIAL WORKER: Do you pay your own bills and handle your money?

MRS. SOLOMON: My son helps with that. He’s good with figures. I used to do that, but I got tired of
it and the checkbook is, well, I’m not sure, but I think I had some fees, and my son decided he’d do the
money for me. But I take care of my papers. My own papers. I keep them….ah…well, I like to keep
track of them myself.

SOCIAL WORKER: Have you seen a doctor lately, Mrs. Solomon?

MRS. SOLOMON: Well….I’m not sure when. I had a doctor. His name was….ummm. He was good.
But that was before here. Hmmmm…..I’m sure I have seen one. You’d have to ask my daughter.

SOCIAL WORKER: Yes, I can do that. I think it would be a good idea to have you checked out to make
sure you’re getting enough good nutrition and exercise…And also to have a specialist check your
memory.
MRS. SOLOMON: Well, I’m not sure that my memory’s so bad….I stopped driving my car! They
warned me not to, so I haven’t. But I’m OK; you know, I’m 79, or is it….

SOCIAL WORKER: I think you said 78. Well, Mrs. Solomon, if you do have some early-stage memory
problems, the doctor can prescribe medication for you that might help.

MRS. SOLOMON: Oh, my goodness, I don’t want more medication! More fuss.

SOCIAL WORKER: Why don’t we take one step at a time? I’d like to spend a few minutes just asking
you some questions that will give us a rough idea of how your memory is. Is that OK?

MRS. SOLOMON: Oh, I suppose. I have to find my paper, though. You know, I had something I was
supposed to do today, and I have a paper about it. I’m not sure where… (looks around). [Pause.] Did you
say you know my daughter?

SW says yes, and then asks Mini-Mental State questions…

Mrs. Solomon should get enough wrong to be scoring around 19/20 out of 30.

Followed by the ADL assessment.