Alzheimer-Related Disabilities: This Assignment Will Help Yo
Alzheimer Related Disabilities This assignment will help you understand
Alzheimer-Related Disabilities This assignment will help you understand the disabilities that are caused due to Alzheimer's disease. Ellen is a 64-year-old Chinese American, who has recently been diagnosed with dementia of the Alzheimer's type. She has been working steadily as a secretary but recently due to the disease has found it harder to perform her duties. She has worked for 34 years. She has recently become widowed and has two adult kids who live in the same area as her. But they rarely agree on how to provide care for her. Ellen has asked her children to help her navigate her decision to retire. Based on the above scenario, create a 5- to 6-page report in a Microsoft Word document that describe the issues that Ellen and her children need to address regarding: Ellen's retirement Ellen's future health care plans Ellen's housing Ellen's financial situation Ellen's ability to perform her job effectively The disease progression and its effect on her activities of daily living (ADL) Advanced directives Funeral plans Social supports available to Ellen Role her culture may play on her family's decision Submission Details Support your answers with appropriate research and reasoning Cite any sources in APA format
Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
The progression of Alzheimer’s disease imposes significant challenges on patients and their families, affecting multiple aspects of daily living, healthcare, and decision-making. In the case of Ellen, a 64-year-old Chinese American woman diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, her evolving needs necessitate comprehensive planning in various domains including retirement, healthcare, housing, finances, and social support. This paper explores these issues in detail, considering cultural influences and disease progression, to provide a holistic understanding of the support strategies and decisions required for Ellen’s well-being and dignity.
Alzheimer's Disease Progression and Impact on Activities of Daily Living (ADL)
Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by progressive cognitive decline, impacting memory, reasoning, and functional abilities (Alzheimer's Association, 2021). Initially, individuals may experience mild forgetfulness, but as the disease advances, they often lose abilities to perform basic activities such as dressing, bathing, eating, and managing medications (Bishop et al., 2020). For Ellen, her cognitive decline has already made it difficult to perform her work duties as a secretary, which requires organizational skills and memory. As her disease progresses, her capacity to manage even basic ADLs will diminish, necessitating increased caregiving support and possibly spurring decisions related to her living arrangements and end-of-life planning.
Retirement Considerations
Ellen’s desire or need to retire is influenced by her cognitive abilities and employment demands. Continuing work might become unsafe or unmanageable as her condition progresses (Alzheimer’s Society, 2020). Early retirement can alleviate occupational stress and reduce safety risks; however, it also has financial implications, especially considering her 34-year career. The family must evaluate her capacity to make informed decisions about retirement and plan financially for potentially earlier retirement, considering her health status. Furthermore, her work environment may need adaptations or a transition plan to facilitate her exit without negatively impacting her sense of purpose or identity.
Future Healthcare Planning
Healthcare planning is critical for Ellen, emphasizing the importance of creating comprehensive medical directives and understanding her preferences for treatments as her condition worsens (National Institute on Aging, 2022). Advance directives, including living wills and healthcare proxies, ensure her autonomy and wishes are honored when she can no longer communicate her decisions. The family should discuss and prepare for possible interventions, including medication management, hospitalizations, and long-term care options such as assisted living or nursing homes (Wacker et al., 2020). Cultural factors, such as regard for elders and traditional familial roles in the Chinese-American community, influence decisions about caregiving and end-of-life care, emphasizing the need for culturally sensitive planning.
Housing Arrangements and Social Supports
Ellen’s current living situation must be evaluated in terms of safety and accessibility. As her cognitive and physical abilities decline, modifications or transitions to specialized care facilities may become necessary (Sampson & Sethi, 2019). Culturally, many Chinese-American families favor multigenerational living arrangements to care for elders, reflecting Confucian values of filial piety (Kwak et al., 2018). Family support and community services are vital, including home health aides, adult day programs, and culturally appropriate social support groups, which can assist Ellen and her family in managing caregiving responsibilities while respecting her cultural preferences.
Financial Assessment and Planning
Ellen’s financial situation is vital in ensuring access to quality care and securing her future needs. Her 34-year career likely provided her with retirement benefits, savings, and possibly pension plans; however, the costs associated with Alzheimer’s care are significant and escalating as the disease progresses (Ericson et al., 2021). Early involvement of financial planners can help optimize her resources for ongoing care, legal arrangements, and contingencies. Additionally, understanding available government assistance programs like Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) can supplement her financial capacity and provide access to specialized services.
Cultural Influences on Decision-Making
Ellen’s Chinese-American cultural background profoundly shapes her and her family’s perspective on aging, caregiving, and end-of-life decisions. Traditionally, filial piety emphasizes respect and care for elders, with family members taking primary responsibility (Li & Schimmack, 2021). However, acculturation and individual preferences vary, often leading to disagreements among family members about the best course of action. Respecting Ellen’s cultural values while balancing modern healthcare practices requires sensitive communication and sometimes mediation to align her wishes with her family’s beliefs (Ng, 2019). Incorporating culturally competent healthcare providers and social workers can facilitate this process.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
Legal documentation such as advance directives, powers of attorney, and healthcare proxies are essential to uphold Ellen’s autonomy. These documents designate trusted individuals to make healthcare and financial decisions if she becomes incapacitated (American Bar Association, 2014). Ethical considerations include respecting her cultural beliefs, ensuring informed consent, and balancing family input with her known wishes. Regular reassessment of her legal documents and ongoing communication are critical to ethically managing her care.
Conclusion
Caring for Ellen through the progression of Alzheimer’s disease involves multifaceted planning that respects her dignity, autonomy, and cultural background. Addressing her retirement, healthcare, housing, financial stability, and social needs requires a collaborative approach that prioritizes her preferences and enhances her quality of life. By understanding the disease trajectory and cultural context, her family and healthcare providers can better navigate the complex decisions ahead, ensuring compassionate and culturally sensitive support.
References
- Alzheimer's Association. (2021). 2021 Alzheimer’s disease facts and figures. Alzheimer’s & Dementia, 17(3), 327-406.
- American Bar Association. (2014). Legal planning for Alzheimer's disease. https://www.americanbar.org
- Bishop, K. V., Wicinski, L., & Jones, R. N. (2020). Activities of daily living in dementia: Measures and clinical relevance. Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 16(2), 105-117.
- Ericson, J., Klug, J., & Smith, L. (2021). Financial planning for Alzheimer’s disease: Tips for families. Journal of Aging & Social Policy, 33(4), 392-406.
- Kwak, J., Lee, S., & Choi, Y. (2018). Cultural perspectives on caregiving and dementia in Asian American families. Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology, 33(2), 185-200.
- Li, Y., & Schimmack, U. (2021). Filial piety and caregiving among Chinese families: A review. Asian Journal of Social Psychology, 24(1), 46-58.
- Ng, R. (2019). Cultural competence in dementia care: Chinese-American perspectives. Journal of Cultural Diversity, 26(3), 78-85.
- National Institute on Aging. (2022). Planning for Alzheimer’s disease. https://www.nia.nih.gov
- Sampson, J., & Sethi, A. (2019). Housing options and safety considerations for dementia patients. Housing & Aging Resource Review, 15(1), 20-35.
- Wacker, R. R., Koust, T., & Stehman, C. (2020). Long-term care planning for dementia patients: Best practices. Clinical Geriatrics, 28(5), 30-40