Discussion: Working With Marie, A 63-Year-Old Female

Discussion 1you Are Working With Marie A 63 Year Old Female Who Was R

Discuss whether an Ecosystems approach or a Bio/Psycho/Social model would be more appropriate in helping Marie, a 63-year-old woman recently diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, who experiences anxiety, loneliness, and financial concerns. Explain and defend your rationale for the theoretical choice, providing specific examples to illustrate your reasoning.

Paper For Above instruction

In addressing the comprehensive needs of Marie, a 63-year-old woman diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, it is crucial to select an appropriate theoretical framework that captures the multifaceted aspects of her experience. The primary options considered are the Ecosystems Model and the Bio/Psycho/Social Model. Each approach offers specific strengths relevant to Marie’s situation, but ultimately, the Ecosystems Model is better suited for her circumstances due to its holistic nature and emphasis on interconnected systems.

The Bio/Psycho/Social Model has been a cornerstone in healthcare and psychological practice, emphasizing the biological aspects of illness, psychological factors, and social influences. While this model effectively highlights the interaction between mind, body, and environment, it tends to focus primarily within individual domains. For Marie, this approach might encompass managing her Parkinson’s symptoms through medication and therapy, addressing her anxiety, and considering her social isolation and financial struggles as separate components. However, it may fall short in providing a comprehensive view of her life context, especially the environmental and systemic factors impacting her well-being.

In contrast, the Ecosystems Model fosters an understanding of the individual within multiple, overlapping systems—micro, mezzo, and macro levels—that influence her health and quality of life. This model recognizes that Marie’s health journey is affected not only by her biological condition but also by her social environment, community resources, family dynamics, and societal structures. For instance, her loneliness and social isolation are rooted in her community engagement opportunities, her family’s availability, and societal supports for seniors with chronic illness. The Ecosystems approach encourages a collaborative, multidimensional assessment that considers these various factors and how they interact, leading to more tailored and effective interventions.

Specifically, applying the Ecosystems Model allows healthcare providers to examine Marie’s immediate social environment—her relationship with her children, her participation in church services, and her community programs. It also considers systemic barriers like her financial limitations impacting her access to medication. For example, since her Parkinson’s drugs are expensive and not fully covered by Medicare, the systemic issue of healthcare affordability can be addressed by connecting her with community resources, financial assistance programs, or advocacy organizations.

Additionally, this approach underpinning an Ecosystems perspective encourages engagement with her broader community, such as local senior centers, peer support groups, and mental health services. Such interventions can help alleviate her loneliness and anxiety by strengthening her social network and providing emotional support. For example, facilitating her participation in Parkinson’s disease support groups or community activities could enhance her social integration and mental health resilience.

Therefore, the Ecosystems Model’s emphasis on viewing the individual within a network of influences makes it especially suitable for Marie. This approach facilitates a multidimensional understanding and intervention plan, addressing her biological, psychological, social, and environmental needs comprehensively. It promotes an integrated strategy that acknowledges her systemic vulnerabilities and opportunities, ultimately promoting better health outcomes and enhanced quality of life.

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