Nathaniel Ayers Case Study

Demographics

Nathaniel Ayers, 64 year old African American male whom is homeless, single, and does not have any children. No information received on employment. It is reported that he was born in Cleveland, Ohio on January 31, 1951. No information received on his religion practices. It is reported that Nathaniel has completed high school and started college at Julliard on a scholarship where he played the double bass.

Background

It was reported that Nathaniel Ayers has two sisters, Jennifer and Delsenia, and a brother whom the family called “Tony”. His mother was a beautician and his father ultimately left the family .It is reported that Nathaniel reflects his mother’s positive influence. It is reported that in Nathaniel’s teenage years he

did not show any signs of mental illness. It was reported that Nathaniel went to college but did not graduate. He played the bass in college and was very talented. It was reported that he could have played in the Juilliard’s concert orchestra until he start showing signs of Schizophrenia.
Support System
It is reported that Nathaniel Ayers primary caregiver was his friend, Steve Lopez, whom was a Los Angeles Times Columnist. It was reported that he did not have many friends. He had a very little support system, but research shows that he did have his mother and sister to help with doctor visits. Steve knew that Nathaniel was Schizophrenic, but Nathaniel was also talented dispute his mental illness. Steve helped Nathaniel find housing and helped him to get a spot to perform in the orchestra.
Cognitive Functioning
It was reported that Nathaniel Ayers was very talented.

He did well when it came to playing different instruments. His favorite musician was Beethoven. He played a violin that he found with two strings at Pershing Square in Los Angeles. He was a man of many talents when it came to playing instruments. He was diagnosed with Schizophrenia when he was in college and he started to hear voices and it took over his life as evidence by him dropping out of college and becoming homeless. Nathaniel played any instrument that he could find. He found instruments such as the violin, trumpet, and cello and transported them in his shopping cart.

Reason for Services

Patient referred for assessment and treatment plan due to current mental illness. Nathaniel Ayers is currently diagnosed with Schizophrenia. It is reported that Nathaniel shows signs of Schizophrenia by talking to himself and hearing voices that he tends to act on. Due to his diagnosis it caused him to drop out of college and then he became homeless. He is now homeless, but is still very talented. With the voices in his head he felt safe outside with all his belongings, playing at Pershing Square in Los Angeles where he states he can play Beethoven.

Therapist

Observation
Therapist observed Nathaniel Ayers to have a short haircut with a medium to dark skin tone. He is a slim African American male. It seems as though Nathaniel wears layers of clothing where ever he goes.
Summary
Nathaniel Ayers is a 64 year old African American male that is diagnosed with Schizophrenia. He presented early in life a talented musician. He experienced times of hearing voices that lead to him dropping out of college and becoming homeless. Although he played the double bass in college, he played a violin with only two strings outside Pershing Square in Los Angeles. He friend a Los Angeles Times Columnist named Steve Lopez. Steve Lopez went on to help Nathaniel find housing and got him a spot to perform in the orchestra despite Nathaniel’s mental illness. It is reported that Nathaniel and Steve are still friends.