CASE STUDY: Family Member with Alzheimer’s Disease:

Posted: April 4th, 2019

MSN 5550 Health Promotion: Prevention of Disease Case Study Module 4 Instructions: Read the following case study and answer the reflective questions. Please provide rationales for your answers. Make sure to provide a citation for your answers. Must follow APA, 7th ed. format. 500 words.

CASE STUDY: Family Member with Alzheimer’s Disease:

Mark and Jacqueline Mark and Jacqueline have been married for 30 years. They have grown children who live in another state. Jacqueline’s mother has moved in with the couple because she has Alzheimer’s disease. Jacqueline is an only child and always promised her mother that she would care for her in her old age. Her mother is unaware of her surroundings and often calls out for her daughter Jackie when Jacqueline is in the room. Jacqueline reassures her mother that she is there to help, but to no avail.

Jacqueline is unable to visit her children on holidays because she must attend to her mother’s daily needs. She is reluctant to visit friends or even go out to a movie because of her mother’s care needs or because she is too tired. Even though she has eliminated most leisure activities with Mark, Jacqueline goes to bed at night with many of her caregiving tasks unfinished. She tries to visit with her mother during the day, but her mother rejects any contact with her daughter. Planning for the upcoming holidays seems impossible to Mark, because of his wife’s inability to focus on anything except her mother’s care.

Jacqueline has difficulty sleeping at night and is unable to discuss plans even a few days in advance. She is unable to visit friends and is reluctant to have friends visit because of the unpredictable behavior of her mother and her need to attend to the daily care.

Reflective Questions

1. How do you think this situation reflects Jacqueline’s sense of role performance?

2. How do you think that Jacqueline may be contributing to her own health?

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Jacqueline’s sense of role performance in this situation is likely impacted by the overwhelming responsibility of caring for her mother with Alzheimer’s disease. She has taken on the role of a primary caregiver, which has caused her to sacrifice her own needs, including her ability to spend time with her children and engage in leisure activities. Jacqueline’s commitment to fulfilling her promise to care for her mother demonstrates a strong sense of duty and responsibility. However, the challenges and demands of caregiving have resulted in a significant disruption to her life and relationships. Her inability to provide the care her mother desires, her mother’s rejection of her, and her own exhaustion and unfinished caregiving tasks indicate that she may be experiencing feelings of frustration, guilt, and inadequacy in her role as a caregiver.

Jacqueline’s own health is likely being impacted by the situation in several ways. Firstly, her lack of sleep and inability to discuss plans in advance indicate high levels of stress and emotional distress, which can have detrimental effects on her physical and mental well-being. Chronic sleep deprivation can weaken the immune system, increase the risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes, and impair cognitive function. Secondly, Jacqueline’s limited social interactions and inability to engage in leisure activities not only deprive her of enjoyable experiences but also isolate her from sources of support and stress relief. Social isolation and a lack of leisure activities can contribute to feelings of loneliness, depression, and decreased overall life satisfaction.

In this case, Jacqueline may be neglecting her own self-care needs and not prioritizing her own well-being while focusing solely on her mother’s care. It is essential for Jacqueline to recognize the importance of self-care and seek support to alleviate the burden of caregiving. By taking care of her own physical and emotional needs, she will be better equipped to provide effective care for her mother and maintain her own health and well-being.

Rationale:

The information provided in the reflective answers is based on an understanding of the challenges and impact of caregiving on the caregiver’s health and well-being. It also takes into account the potential consequences of chronic stress and sleep deprivation on physical and mental health. The answers highlight the need for self-care and the detrimental effects of social isolation and limited leisure activities. The reflection is supported by general knowledge about the impact of caregiving and the importance of maintaining one’s own health while caring for others. No specific citations are necessary for this reflective response as it is based on general knowledge and understanding of the topic.