Significant Life Event in Health and Social Care - Essay Example

Supporting Significant Life Event in Health and Social Care HND Level 5 1 Explain the physical, psychological and social impact of bereavement on individuals Bereavement of an individual may influence an individual in many ways. From the case study at hand, the woman under review lost her husband of forty years and has to start afresh (Balk 2011). The recovery process will involve getting used to the new surroundings, since she will be moved to a new home. Bereavement is a stressful event in itself, and the individual facing it has to be surrounded with care to speed up the recovery process. Stressful life events are causative agents of various diseases (Struening & Rabkin, 1976). Events as such play the role of precipitating factors that influence the timing of the various associated diseases. They, however, do not affect the type of illness to be acquired. An illness is a physical impact of a stressful factor such as bereavement of an individual. Psychological impacts have also been researched on in such cases. There are common situations that arise from family and personal events that may signify change in ongoing adjustments. The death of a spouse is rated highest on the scale of social re-adjustment. There are several physical impacts that are associated with bereavement, other than the occurrence of illnesses (Schwazer, Schulz & Berlin, N.d). An individual may experience cases of fatigue or lack energy in some cases. The old woman in this case might also have increased cases of fidgeting or restlessness. She might experience disturbing dreams, or sleep too much or too little (insomnia) (Struening & Rabkin, 1976). The bereaved woman might also experience pressures in the chest, lose breath and experience a heaviness or tightness in the throat occasionally. Frequent headaches might also be an impact of the stressful event of bereavement. Psychologically, most people stricken by the loss of a loved one, may report a period of time where they experience shock. One may be in a state of disbelief that the event has taken place. Usually, an individual will have such a reaction as a defence mode of the mind to protect them from getting overwhelmed (Black, 1998). The woman in the above case study might experience shock, before she comes to terms with her loss. Usually, after the period of shock, the bereaved individual may get into a period of deep depression, and may require counselling sessions to allow her not to succumb into it. 1.3 Analyse how other parties are impacted in social care when a person is bereaved After going through the loss of a loved one, an individual might change. In most cases, a victim will survive the grief, but the life and their persona may never be the same. This will normally affect a person’s social life. Usually, the support of friends after bereavement will be in abundance. After a while, the concerns and support will go down and relatives who had paid visits will go back home (Kard, 2006). After a period, after the support crew is gone, the individual will feel she needs them most once she has realised that her loved one is gone. When all the support is gone, the individual may feel that she has been abandoned, and will often question why she was left (Struening & Rabkin, 1976). This will in turn make an individual withdraw from the society (Schwazer, Schulz & Berlin, Nd). One may feel detached and not interested in the normal activities. There may also be feelings of irritability, suspicion and hostility and the feelings may be partially caused by the mentality that no one else understands what one is going through (Black, 1998). 1.2 Analyse possible group responses to bereavement The response to various losses of loved ones varies from group to group. Children, especially those at the ages of around ten may find it hard to come to terms with the situation at hand. They may fail to understand that death is permanent. They may think that they made the person die, or think that the person will get alive (Psychiat, 1981). They may understand the fact that there is a separation, and might feel insecure when the things surrounding them take a different turn; the child may look for the dead person (Struening & Rabkin, 1976). They may also start experiencing dreams of the dead person or sensing their presence. They may also tend to be anxious and fearful, or in other instances, distressed. The child may have more incidences of withdrawal, being uneasily quiet or being unresponsive. They may develop different eating patterns or difficulties in sleeping. The child might show signs of clinginess or always want to be around someone. Older children may start being more cautious about the wellbeing of their friends and relatives and themselves too. They may start experiencing stronger emotions such as anger, guilt or rejection (Struening & Rabkin, 1976). They may also want to assume adult responsibilities. Time to time, they may feel separated from their peers and may want to conceal the loss of their loved ones. Teenagers may tend to be easily forgetful and easy to distract (Psychiat, 1981). They may tend to be restless in class, and start rejecting school. These may also affect their performance in school (Schwazer, Schulz & Berlin ND). They may also start experiencing overwhelming emotions. They may also start questioning death, or issues related to mortality. They may also tend to withdraw from people, or in some instances, may want to be around family and friends. They will also tend to associate in risky behaviours such as taking alcohol, abusing drugs, careless driving or engaging in sex more. Their relationships with others also start getting more complicated because of the feeling of awkwardness if they get close to others. They may start getting lower self-esteems, and may contemplate suicide. Counselling sessions are necessary to help such children go through situations that may be saddening them. They might also require someone who will always listen to them in their low moments (Struening & Rabkin, 1976). It may also help if their relatives or guardians share feelings about the loss to help the young ones feel that they are protected and guarded (Balk, 2011). QUESTION 2: 2.1 How effective are the organisational procedures and policies of ElderCare Solutions in supporting bereaved individuals: Finding solutions for the care of the elderly has become essential in the past years. The increased commitment to work has made it impossible to coordinate activities in the workplace as well as care for the elderly (Kard 2006). Time, is a limiting factor and calls for the need to get an elderly person to a home so that they can be fully attended to, especially in the above case where the victim has recently undergone the loss of her husband (Psychiat, 1981). Finding a suitable eldercare service is a challenge in itself, especially one that will involve convenience in travelling for those coming to visit, as well as, the comfort of the one that is to be admitted in the home. Eldercarze Solutions is an organization that believes in virtues such as integrity, honesty, reliability, honesty and respect (Schwazer, Schulz & Berlin, N.d). The organization believes in providing the near comfort of a home that is normally resident centred. A home for the elderly should also have consideration for the changing needs of an individual, as well as, consider the satisfaction of the family members and residents. Each resident should receive care based on their preference to attain the utmost comfort. A home for the elderly should also have accessible and consultative leadership at all levels (Black, 1998). The organization should conduct its activities in transparent ways. The home should be open to opinions, opportunities and ideas that will help develop the skills of the staff both professionally and personally. Any organization should clearly state its policies and values concerning work for the collective benefit of the families and residents (Struening & Rabkin, 1976). 2.2 How can other parties in social networks provide support to bereaved individuals The home should also campaign for teamwork among the relatives, staff and residents. A safe environment should be prioritised, and, a positive culture should be cultivated. In the case where there are bereaved individuals like the one at hand, a home should have ready counsellors that will take the victim through the grieving process (Psychiat, 1981). There should be staff trained in different fields to provide services at the very moment they are needed. A home like Eldercare Solutions has staff like caregivers, clinical staff, dentists, dieticians, hotel managers among others. The essence of a home observing certain values and principles while running the institution is to earn trust from the families and residents. Procedures run in a transparent way will reduce any cases of mistrust, and will make the clients feel at ease with the services offered (Struening & Rabkin ,1976). 2.3 Suitability of Outside sources of support available for bereaved individuals Support from volunteers and relatives come in handy. The frequent visits from the relatives will make an individual feel loved. The friends are also encouraged to participate in functions and outings. Family support is significant if a high quality life for any elder under care is to be achieved (Balk, 2011). Volunteers are also helpful when they dedicate their time to cari for the elderly. Some volunteers may take the residents for walks around the home or provide company for the elderly (Psychiat, 1981). In addition, Assistance with cooking and shopping, or looking after children of the residents might be of great help, and a way of showing support. Family and friends should give bereaved residents time to grieve their loved ones (Schwazer, Schulz & Berlin, N.d). QUESTION 3: 3.1 Organizational responses towards supporting individuals going through significant life events. Once an elderly individual has faced a major vent in their life such as the passing away of someone they really love, it is crucial that one gets emotional support to help them get through the grieving. Grief makes one feel lonely and prone, even with loved ones around, but their presence serves as a motivational factor in the healing process (Kard, 2006). When a bereavement support is needed, friends or relatives may contact institutions such as hospitals or hospices that are around. Support organizations come in especially when other family members cannot be accessed (Balk, 2011). Once called upon, they will normally assess the situation. One of the staff members will normally meet with a family member or friend to identify the needs of the client. Once information concerning the resident has been gathered, a care plan is created to suit the specific needs of the client (Schwazer, Schulz & Berlin, N.d). Normally, the care plans will be adjusted if there are any changes on the care procedures or social adjustments (Psychiat, 1981). The changes will usually be made upon consultation of the client to be admitted or the representative. The support organization may also come up with a range of substitute therapies that require administration at the cost of the resident. Staff will normally assist in such a case (Black, 1998). The support organization should ensure careful and quality care to ensure maximum comfort of the patient. Upon admission, it is important that the staff, such as the caregivers know the death wishes of the client in case of any occurrences. Making the wishes known will usually help the support organization respond appropriately to the needs of the client (Psychiat, 1981). 3.2 Personal contributions to individuals suffering life events. A health and care worker is assigned a crucial role to play in the convalescing process of an elderly who is bereaved. In the case of an elderly home setting, the worker should ensure that the clothing of the client has been labelled clearly (Schwazer, Schulz & Berlin, N.d). The clothes should be neatly arranged in various wardrobes and each new clothing that comes in should be labelled as well. In the case of providing therapies, each session should be timely and satisfying. Something new should be achieved each day (Struening & Rabkin, 1976). Personal items of the resident should also be well arranged and kept in an easy to remember place that is also accessible (Kard, 2006). A worker should also provide company and continuous counselling sessions. The grieving process should be allowed to take its natural course, and should not be speeded. In the case of the above patient, the support staff was able to stay with her in her neighbourhood until she was able to take in her loss with ease (Balk, 2011). They took time for her to mourn her husband before moving her to a new home. It is challenging to adapt to the change of life that is accompanied by the death of a loved one, a spouse for that matter (Psychiat, 1981). The fact that the woman above had made several friends in her neighbourhood with her husband for the years they were together, meant that they had to take time on her because of the new social adjustment. A health and social worker should also be able to provide positive encouragement to the grieving resident until they can start seeing life on a brighter perspective (Struening & Rabkin, 1976). 3.3 Recommendations to providing better care in eldercare homes A care home should be as homely as possible. Its residents should be content with the vicinity. In the case of an elderly who has dementia, there should always be a supportive nurse to provide the necessary care (Balk, 2011). There should be set schedules for the residents to undertake their activities as well as be visited. Visits from friends and family should especially be emphasized to keep the residents from feeling abandoned and lonely. A physiotherapist should also take into consideration the mobility of the resident from the time of admission. In case a resident needs assistance to move, it should be documented (Struening & Rabkin, 1976). The residents will also need varying intensities for their care. They should also be carefully monitored. Those with high care needs should always have an assistant by their side so that they can access any required services (Psychiat, 1981). Those with low-care needs will need to be monitored less frequently, but should never be left alone. All rooms of the residents should be equipped with call systems for nurses in case of emergencies (Balk, 2011). The system should also be made available for the visiting friends and family members whenever an emergency occurs. A pendant should also be availed in nursing homes and homes for the elderly in case the resident is not in their room (Kard, 2006). As a safety precaution, friends or family should not bring in any medications from outside without checking with the medical staff first (Black, 1998). This emphasis should especially be created where none prescription drugs are involved. There should also be together sessions within a home among all the residents. Simple parties, meetings or gatherings should be created to bring the residents together. This will promote cohesion in the home (Balk, 2011). Affection for each other is developed, and if anything goes wrong with one of the residents, the others will always care. It also enhances familiarity with each other. The meetings can also be set to discuss the various challenges faced, and the residents can be a source of inspiration and potency to each other. The eldercare homes should also take into consideration the spiritual requirements of the residents (Schwazer, Schulz & Berlin, Nd). Lifestyle and holistic support should be provided throughout the stay of the residents. The staff can also assist in referring for the residents and their relatives. The staff, to the letter, should respect the wishes made to them by the residents (Balk, 2011). Their cultural practices should also be respected and taken into consideration. In whatever situation, the care plan given at the beginning, or the one remade in the occurrence of any change should be followed to the letter by the caregivers (EPEC) (N.d). Workers at social networks should give information about various homes online so that the information is easily accessed (Kard, 2006). The various homes should have a facts and questions page in case clients might require more information on care giving institutions. Bibliography Kard, R. 2006. Elder Care: A Responsibility that Requires a Collaborative Effort. [Accessed 12 August 2013]. Available from: http://www.awlp.org/pub/nwfm_Elder_Care_Collaborative_Effort.pdf Bereavement: Support after Death. [Accessed 12 August 2013]. Available from: http://stponline.co.uk/mod/resource/view.php?id=20155 Grief and Bereavement. [Accessed 12 August 2013]. Available from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qyt56m_3tNM&feature=relmfu Attachment and Emotional Resilience. [Accessed 12 August 2013]. Available from: http://www.essex.ac.uk/armedcon/unit/projects/wwbc_guide/wwbc.chapter.1.english.pdf Schwarzer, R., Schulz U., & Berlin, U., F. N.d. The Role of Stressful Life Events. [Accessed 12 August 2013]. Available from: http://userpage.fu-berlin.de/health/materials/lifeevents.pdf Rabkin G., J., & Struening E. L. 1976. Life events, stress, and illness. Science, 194(4268), 1013-1020. Psychiat, I.F.981. Life Events and Depression. 23 (4), 333-337 Dora, B, 1998. Bereavement In Childhood. [Accessed 12 August 2013]. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1112822/. Education In Palliative And End Of Life Care For Oncology(EPEC) (N.d). Self study module 4: Loss, Grief and Bereavement. [Accessed 12 August 2013]. Available from: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/cancerlibrary/epeco/selfstudy/module-4/module-4-pdf Balk, D. E. 2011. Helping the bereaved college student. New York: Springer Pub. Co Read More