Case Study: Family Member With Alzheimer's Disease Mark And ✓ Solved

Case Study Family Member With Alzheimers Disease Mark And Jacquelin

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?

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The case of Jacqueline and Mark demonstrates the profound impact that caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s disease can have on the primary caregiver's sense of role performance and personal health. Jacqueline, as the primary caregiver, embodies the traditional caregiving role but faces significant emotional, physical, and psychological challenges. This paper explores how her situation influences her role performance and contributes to her health deterioration, supported by current caregiving and Alzheimer’s disease literature.

Jacqueline’s Role Performance in Context

Role performance, as defined by sociologists, refers to the enactment of the expected behaviors, responsibilities, and duties associated with a particular social role (Goffman, 1959). In Jacqueline’s case, her role as a daughter, wife, and primary caregiver for her mother significantly reshapes her identity and daily activities. Her longstanding promise to her mother to care for her in old age underscores her commitment and sense of filial obligation. However, the progression of her mother’s Alzheimer’s disease complicates her ability to fulfill these roles effectively.

This scenario reflects a distorted or strained role performance because Jacqueline’s caregiving responsibilities consume her time and energy to such an extent that many aspects of her previous roles—such as being a wife, mother to adult children, and personal individual—are compromised (McCurry et al., 2016). She sacrifices leisure activities and social interactions, which are vital for maintaining a healthy balance between caregiving duties and personal well-being. Her inability to plan for holidays or engage in social visits signifies a shift from her traditional role performances towards being primarily a caregiver, often at the expense of her personal identity and fulfillment.

Impact on Jacqueline’s Personal Health

In caregiving literature, burnout, emotional exhaustion, and physical health deterioration are common among family caregivers, especially when caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease (Sherwood et al., 2020). Jacqueline’s chronic stress manifests through sleep disturbances, as evidenced by her difficulty sleeping and her inability to plan ahead. Chronic sleep deprivation is known to further impair immune function and mental health, leading to increased vulnerability to depression and anxiety (Peavy et al., 2013).

Furthermore, her reluctance to engage in social activities and her isolation exacerbate feelings of loneliness, which are linked to adverse health outcomes such as elevated blood pressure and a higher risk of depression (Cheng et al., 2018). Her neglect of her own needs, including unfinished chores and reduced leisure activities, indicates a phenomenon known as caregiver burden, which encompasses emotional, physical, and financial stress (Schulz & Sherwood, 2008). Over time, such neglect can contribute to physical health decline, including increased risk for cardiovascular disease, weakened immune response, and mental health disorders.

The Psychological and Emotional Toll

Beyond physical health, the psychological strain on caregivers like Jacqueline is profound. Anxiety about the future, grief over the loss of the previous relationship with her mother, and guilt over perceived inadequacies in caregiving can lead to depression (Pinquart & Sörensen, 2003). Her current situation, marked by emotional exhaustion, symbolizes this toll, which often results in caregivers feeling trapped and overwhelmed.

Strategies to Mitigate Negative Impacts

Research suggests that caregiver support interventions—including respite care, counseling, and caregiver education—are effective in reducing burden and improving mental health outcomes (Brodaty & Donkin, 2009). Encouraging Jacqueline to access community resources, including adult day care centers, can provide her with necessary breaks and emotional relief. Additionally, promoting self-care, including maintaining social contacts and hobbies, is critical for her physical and mental health (Mace & Rabins, 2010).

Conclusion

Jacqueline’s case exemplifies the complex interplay between role performance and personal health in the context of caregiving for an Alzheimer’s patient. The profound demands of her role impair her ability to maintain her previous identity and negatively influence her mental and physical health. Addressing these issues requires a holistic approach, involving social support, respite care, and psychological counseling, to preserve the well-being of caregivers facing similar challenges.

References

• Brodaty, H., & Donkin, M. (2009). family caregivers of people with dementia. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 11(2), 217-229.
• Cheng, S. T., et al. (2018). Social isolation and cognitive decline: A review of potential mechanisms. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 13(3), 241-254.
• Goffman, E. (1959). The presentation of self in everyday life. Anchor Books.
• Mace, N. L., & Rabins, P. V. (2010). The 36-hour day: A family guide to caring for people with Alzheimer’s disease. Johns Hopkins University Press.
• McCurry, S. M., et al. (2016). Family caregiving for dementia: Current issues and future directions. AGE & AGEING, 45(2), 167-175.
• Peavy, G. M., et al. (2013). Sleep disturbance and cognitive decline: A review of recent findings. Psychology & Aging, 28(2), 268-279.
• Pinquart, M., Sörensen, S. (2003). Differences between caregivers and noncaregivers in psychological health and physical health: A meta-analysis. Psychology and Aging, 18(2), 250–267.
• Schulz, R., Sherwood, P. R. (2008). Physical and mental health effects of family caregiving. The American Journal of Nursing, 108(9), 23-27.
• Sherwood, P. R., et al. (2020). Effects of an intervention to improve caregivers’ health: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Internal Medicine, 180(1), 50-59.
• https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igz038