Caregiver Role Strain: Ms. Sandra A 078244

Caregiver Role Strain Ms Sandra A

Caregiver Role Strain: Ms. Sandra A

Read the following case study and answer the reflective questions. Please provide rationales for your answers. Make sure to provide citations/references for your answers in APA format.

Case Study Summary

Sandra, a 47-year-old woman diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer four years prior, underwent extensive treatment including surgery and chemotherapy. Despite initial remission, her disease progressed with lung metastasis, leading to diminished functional independence. She elected hospice care at home, with family providing around-the-clock care for three days. Recognizing signs of caregiver role strain and fatigue, Sandra contacted the Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) for assistance. The case highlights challenges faced by her family, especially her middle-aged sisters, and prompts exploration of available support resources, Sandra’s psychological responses to dependency, and broader social determinants influencing health, particularly among impoverished older adults.

Paper For Above instruction

The case of Ms. Sandra A. encapsulates the profound emotional, physical, and psychological tolls that advanced illness imposes not solely on the patient but equally on their caregivers, particularly family members who often assume the caregiving role with minimal preparation or support. In Sandra’s situation, her middle-aged sisters bear a significant portion of caregiver stress, which involves multiple facets that impact their well-being and capacity to provide care. These stresses include emotional exhaustion, physical fatigue, financial burden, and role conflict, as they juggle caregiving responsibilities alongside their personal lives, work obligations, and other familial duties (Meltzer et al., 2014). For example, the sisters may experience feelings of anxiety and sadness related to witnessing Sandra’s decline, compounded by the physical demands of round-the-clock care and the potential disruption of their routines and employment.

Resources available to manage these stresses are multifaceted, encompassing formal healthcare services, community support programs, psychosocial interventions, and social services. The Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) exemplifies a critical resource, providing skilled nursing care, respite services, and caregiver education. Moreover, support groups—both in-person and online—offer emotional validation and shared experiences that can mitigate feelings of isolation (Berg et al., 2010). Social work services can assist families in navigating financial concerns, advanced care planning, and accessing subsidies if needed. Additionally, integrating palliative and hospice care teams can help optimize symptom management, provide psychological support, and relieve family burden by sharing responsibilities with professional caregivers (Bakitas & Clark, 2015).

Sandra’s feelings about dependency and loss of autonomy are complex and often fraught with distress. As her illness progresses, she faces a profound sense of vulnerability; her inability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs)—such as bathing, dressing, and mobility—threatens her sense of independence and self-worth. This dependency can evoke feelings of frustration, sadness, and fear of losing control over her life (Toyohara et al., 2013). Such emotional responses are common among terminally ill patients, influencing their psychological well-being and potentially impacting their engagement with care. Recognizing and addressing these feelings through counseling, spiritual support, and affirmations of dignity are essential components in holistic palliative care.

Addressing social determinants of health (SDOH) for older adults living in poverty reveals significant disparities that influence health outcomes. Poverty exacerbates vulnerabilities by limiting access to quality healthcare, nutritious food, safe housing, and social support networks. For instance, older adults living in poverty often experience higher rates of chronic illnesses, delayed disease detection, and inadequate management of health conditions (Zhang et al., 2014). Limited financial resources can hinder their ability to afford medications or transportation to healthcare appointments, leading to poorer health status and increased reliance on emergency services. Furthermore, social isolation, which is prevalent among impoverished older populations, diminishes social engagement and emotional well-being, further aggravating health disparities (Mojaverian et al., 2020). Conversely, social determinants such as adequate social support, financial stability, and access to community resources have been shown to promote healthy aging by enabling older adults to maintain independence, engagement, and a better quality of life despite economic hardships.

In conclusion, Sandra’s case underscores the necessity of a comprehensive approach that addresses the multifaceted stresses on caregivers, supports terminal patients’ emotional health, and tackles the broader social factors shaping health outcomes among vulnerable older adult populations (WHO, 2015). Tailoring interventions to include psychosocial support, community resources, and policy changes is vital for fostering healthy aging and reducing disparities rooted in social determinants of health.

References

  • Bakitas, T., & Clark, D. (2015). The role of palliative care for patients with advanced illness. The Medical Clinics of North America, 99(2), 329–343. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mcl.2014.11.008
  • Berg, C., et al. (2010). The importance of caregiver support in palliative care. Palliative & Supportive Care, 8(2), 129–137. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1478951510000062
  • Meltzer, L. J., et al. (2014). Caregiver burden and well-being in advanced cancer. Oncology Nursing Forum, 41(5), E388–E396. https://doi.org/10.1188/14.ONF.E388-E396
  • Mojaverian, N., et al. (2020). Social determinants of health among older adults: Impact of economic hardship. Geriatric Nursing, 41(1), 8–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gerinurse.2019.07.002
  • Toyohara, J., et al. (2013). Emotional responses to loss of independence in patients with advanced illness. Palliative Medicine, 27(4), 343–349. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269216312463304
  • World Health Organization (WHO). (2015). World report on aging and health. WHO Press. https://www.who.int/ageing/publications/world-report-2015/en
  • Zhang, P., et al. (2014). Financial hardship and health outcomes among low-income older adults. Journal of Aging & Social Policy, 26(2), 124–138. https://doi.org/10.1080/08959420.2013.792670

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