Olivia Slade
Unit 14 BTEC National Health and Social Care
LAD: Develop a Treatment Plan for an Individual with a
Physiological Disorder
Case Study:
Stuart is a 62-year-old male. For several years, he has suffered from poor
physical and mental health and well-being. Stuart is a white, Jewish man
who has been married and divorced twice and recently split up with his
girlfriend of 10 years. He has six children and one grandchild.
Stuart has been unemployed for almost 20 years (he was an engineer)
and lives on Universal Credit and Personal Independent Payment (PIP) due
to several health issues. He has osteoarthritis of the spine, type 2
diabetes, a reduced immune deficiency and psoriasis. His health problems
and the breakdown of relationships have impacted his wellbeing, and he
takes antidepressants and sees a counsellor regularly. A few years ago, he
also became addicted to pain relief (morphine), but now manages his pain
relief on a reduced prescription.
Stuart’s mobility is affected by the problems that osteoarthritis causes,
and he has difficulty walking up and down stairs; this inactivity, combined
with a poor diet, has led to him gaining a lot of weight. Stuart often lacks
motivation when it comes to healthy eating, which is impacting his type 2
diabetes, and due to the skin condition, psoriasis, he often feels self-
conscious and has bouts of isolating himself at home.
He recently had a blood test that confirmed that his thyroid is underactive,
which has also impacted his weight. The medication that he has been
taking for hypothyroidism is cancelling out the effects of his diabetes
medication, of which he was unaware until he had a routine appointment
with his G.P. Stuart has numerous, regular appointments with his G.P and
consultants at Kettering General Hospital.
He does drive and has a disabled badge, which enables him to park closer
to the G.P’s surgery and find a parking space at the hospital. Although he
is Jewish, he does not follow a kosher diet unless he is socialising with his
family. Stuart feels more comfortable with a male Health Professional.
P5 Introduction
This case study focuses on Stuart, a 62-year-old man living with Type 2
Diabetes alongside several other long-term health conditions. Stuart's
circumstances demonstrate how a physiological disorder can impact
multiple aspects of an individual's life, including physical health,
emotional wellbeing, social relationships, independence, financial stability,
and quality of life. Stuart has experienced poor health for many years and
currently lives with Type 2 Diabetes, osteoarthritis of the spine, psoriasis,
Page 1 of 26
,Olivia Slade
Unit 14 BTEC National Health and Social Care
reduced immune function, obesity, depression, hypothyroidism, and
chronic pain. He is unemployed and receives Universal Credit and Personal
Independence Payment (PIP).
The primary physiological disorder being examined is Type 2 Diabetes, a
chronic metabolic condition that affects how the body regulates blood
glucose levels because the body either does not produce enough insulin
or becomes resistant to insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced by the
pancreas that enables glucose from food to enter cells and be used as
energy. When insulin becomes ineffective, glucose remains in the
bloodstream, causing hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar levels). Over
time, prolonged high blood glucose damages blood vessels, nerves and
organs throughout the body.(Type 2 Diabetes, 2026).
Managing Type 2 Diabetes requires support from a range of healthcare
professionals and services. Diabetes is not something that can simply be
treated with medication alone. People living with the condition need
regular monitoring, advice and support to help them manage their
lifestyle and reduce the risk of complications. For Stuart, his GP plays a
very important role. The GP monitors his diabetes through blood tests,
medication reviews and regular appointments. It was during one of these
appointments that Stuart found out his thyroid medication was reducing
the effectiveness of his diabetes medication. This shows why regular
monitoring is so important, especially when someone has several different
health conditions and takes multiple medications. Stuart also receives
support from hospital consultants at Kettering General Hospital.
Depending on his needs, he may see specialists who help manage his
diabetes, thyroid condition, osteoarthritis and psoriasis. He may also
receive support from a diabetes specialist nurse who can help him
understand how to manage his blood sugar levels more effectively. A
dietitian could be particularly helpful for Stuart because he struggles with
healthy eating and weight management. Improving his diet could help him
control his diabetes and reduce some of the pressure on his joints caused
by excess weight. (Type 2 diabetes in adults: management, 2026).
P5 Assessment of Care Needs
Care Needs of the Service User – Stuart has a wide range of care
needs because his health conditions affect many different areas of his life.
One of his main needs is support with managing his diabetes. Keeping
blood sugar levels under control is extremely important because poorly
managed diabetes can lead to serious complications such as heart
disease, kidney damage, nerve damage and sight loss. Stuart's weight is a
major factor affecting his diabetes. His osteoarthritis limits how much
physical activity he can do, and this has contributed to his becoming
Page 2 of 26
, Olivia Slade
Unit 14 BTEC National Health and Social Care
overweight. His recently diagnosed hypothyroidism has also caused
weight gain because an underactive thyroid slows down the body's
metabolism. Losing weight could significantly improve Stuart's diabetes
control, but he will need support and encouragement from healthcare
professionals to achieve this. Stuart's mental health is another area where
support is needed. Living with several long-term conditions can be
emotionally draining, and the breakdown of important relationships has
had a significant impact on his wellbeing. His depression affects his
motivation and may make it harder for him to follow healthy lifestyle
advice.
Role of Needs Assessor – A needs assessor is responsible for identifying
the support an individual requires and ensuring that appropriate services
are put in place. This assessment may be carried out by a social worker,
occupational therapist, community nurse or another healthcare
professional. If Stuart were having a needs assessment, the assessor
would look at all aspects of his life. They would consider his physical
health, mobility, mental well-being, financial circumstances and support
network. They would also look at how his conditions affect his ability to
carry out everyday activities.
Importance of Reviewing Care Needs – It is important that Stuart's
care needs are reviewed regularly because his health conditions may
change over time. Diabetes can become more difficult to manage as
people get older, and complications may develop if blood sugar levels are
not controlled effectively. Regular reviews allow healthcare professionals
to check whether treatments are working and whether any changes need
to be made. This is particularly important for Stuart because he takes
medication for several different conditions. The interaction between his
thyroid medication and diabetes treatment demonstrates how important
ongoing monitoring can be.
Holistic Approach – A holistic approach means looking at the whole
person rather than focusing only on their illness. This is particularly
important for Stuart because many different factors affect his ability to
manage his diabetes. For example, his osteoarthritis affects his mobility,
which makes exercise difficult. His depression affects his motivation to eat
healthily and take care of himself. His psoriasis affects his confidence and
contributes to social isolation. These factors are all connected and have
an impact on his diabetes management. If healthcare professionals
focused only on Stuart's blood sugar levels, they would miss many of the
challenges he faces every day. By taking a holistic approach, professionals
can develop a care plan that addresses his physical, emotional and social
needs at the same time.
Page 3 of 26
Unit 14 BTEC National Health and Social Care
LAD: Develop a Treatment Plan for an Individual with a
Physiological Disorder
Case Study:
Stuart is a 62-year-old male. For several years, he has suffered from poor
physical and mental health and well-being. Stuart is a white, Jewish man
who has been married and divorced twice and recently split up with his
girlfriend of 10 years. He has six children and one grandchild.
Stuart has been unemployed for almost 20 years (he was an engineer)
and lives on Universal Credit and Personal Independent Payment (PIP) due
to several health issues. He has osteoarthritis of the spine, type 2
diabetes, a reduced immune deficiency and psoriasis. His health problems
and the breakdown of relationships have impacted his wellbeing, and he
takes antidepressants and sees a counsellor regularly. A few years ago, he
also became addicted to pain relief (morphine), but now manages his pain
relief on a reduced prescription.
Stuart’s mobility is affected by the problems that osteoarthritis causes,
and he has difficulty walking up and down stairs; this inactivity, combined
with a poor diet, has led to him gaining a lot of weight. Stuart often lacks
motivation when it comes to healthy eating, which is impacting his type 2
diabetes, and due to the skin condition, psoriasis, he often feels self-
conscious and has bouts of isolating himself at home.
He recently had a blood test that confirmed that his thyroid is underactive,
which has also impacted his weight. The medication that he has been
taking for hypothyroidism is cancelling out the effects of his diabetes
medication, of which he was unaware until he had a routine appointment
with his G.P. Stuart has numerous, regular appointments with his G.P and
consultants at Kettering General Hospital.
He does drive and has a disabled badge, which enables him to park closer
to the G.P’s surgery and find a parking space at the hospital. Although he
is Jewish, he does not follow a kosher diet unless he is socialising with his
family. Stuart feels more comfortable with a male Health Professional.
P5 Introduction
This case study focuses on Stuart, a 62-year-old man living with Type 2
Diabetes alongside several other long-term health conditions. Stuart's
circumstances demonstrate how a physiological disorder can impact
multiple aspects of an individual's life, including physical health,
emotional wellbeing, social relationships, independence, financial stability,
and quality of life. Stuart has experienced poor health for many years and
currently lives with Type 2 Diabetes, osteoarthritis of the spine, psoriasis,
Page 1 of 26
,Olivia Slade
Unit 14 BTEC National Health and Social Care
reduced immune function, obesity, depression, hypothyroidism, and
chronic pain. He is unemployed and receives Universal Credit and Personal
Independence Payment (PIP).
The primary physiological disorder being examined is Type 2 Diabetes, a
chronic metabolic condition that affects how the body regulates blood
glucose levels because the body either does not produce enough insulin
or becomes resistant to insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced by the
pancreas that enables glucose from food to enter cells and be used as
energy. When insulin becomes ineffective, glucose remains in the
bloodstream, causing hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar levels). Over
time, prolonged high blood glucose damages blood vessels, nerves and
organs throughout the body.(Type 2 Diabetes, 2026).
Managing Type 2 Diabetes requires support from a range of healthcare
professionals and services. Diabetes is not something that can simply be
treated with medication alone. People living with the condition need
regular monitoring, advice and support to help them manage their
lifestyle and reduce the risk of complications. For Stuart, his GP plays a
very important role. The GP monitors his diabetes through blood tests,
medication reviews and regular appointments. It was during one of these
appointments that Stuart found out his thyroid medication was reducing
the effectiveness of his diabetes medication. This shows why regular
monitoring is so important, especially when someone has several different
health conditions and takes multiple medications. Stuart also receives
support from hospital consultants at Kettering General Hospital.
Depending on his needs, he may see specialists who help manage his
diabetes, thyroid condition, osteoarthritis and psoriasis. He may also
receive support from a diabetes specialist nurse who can help him
understand how to manage his blood sugar levels more effectively. A
dietitian could be particularly helpful for Stuart because he struggles with
healthy eating and weight management. Improving his diet could help him
control his diabetes and reduce some of the pressure on his joints caused
by excess weight. (Type 2 diabetes in adults: management, 2026).
P5 Assessment of Care Needs
Care Needs of the Service User – Stuart has a wide range of care
needs because his health conditions affect many different areas of his life.
One of his main needs is support with managing his diabetes. Keeping
blood sugar levels under control is extremely important because poorly
managed diabetes can lead to serious complications such as heart
disease, kidney damage, nerve damage and sight loss. Stuart's weight is a
major factor affecting his diabetes. His osteoarthritis limits how much
physical activity he can do, and this has contributed to his becoming
Page 2 of 26
, Olivia Slade
Unit 14 BTEC National Health and Social Care
overweight. His recently diagnosed hypothyroidism has also caused
weight gain because an underactive thyroid slows down the body's
metabolism. Losing weight could significantly improve Stuart's diabetes
control, but he will need support and encouragement from healthcare
professionals to achieve this. Stuart's mental health is another area where
support is needed. Living with several long-term conditions can be
emotionally draining, and the breakdown of important relationships has
had a significant impact on his wellbeing. His depression affects his
motivation and may make it harder for him to follow healthy lifestyle
advice.
Role of Needs Assessor – A needs assessor is responsible for identifying
the support an individual requires and ensuring that appropriate services
are put in place. This assessment may be carried out by a social worker,
occupational therapist, community nurse or another healthcare
professional. If Stuart were having a needs assessment, the assessor
would look at all aspects of his life. They would consider his physical
health, mobility, mental well-being, financial circumstances and support
network. They would also look at how his conditions affect his ability to
carry out everyday activities.
Importance of Reviewing Care Needs – It is important that Stuart's
care needs are reviewed regularly because his health conditions may
change over time. Diabetes can become more difficult to manage as
people get older, and complications may develop if blood sugar levels are
not controlled effectively. Regular reviews allow healthcare professionals
to check whether treatments are working and whether any changes need
to be made. This is particularly important for Stuart because he takes
medication for several different conditions. The interaction between his
thyroid medication and diabetes treatment demonstrates how important
ongoing monitoring can be.
Holistic Approach – A holistic approach means looking at the whole
person rather than focusing only on their illness. This is particularly
important for Stuart because many different factors affect his ability to
manage his diabetes. For example, his osteoarthritis affects his mobility,
which makes exercise difficult. His depression affects his motivation to eat
healthily and take care of himself. His psoriasis affects his confidence and
contributes to social isolation. These factors are all connected and have
an impact on his diabetes management. If healthcare professionals
focused only on Stuart's blood sugar levels, they would miss many of the
challenges he faces every day. By taking a holistic approach, professionals
can develop a care plan that addresses his physical, emotional and social
needs at the same time.
Page 3 of 26
