Health Promotion: Prevention of Disease

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?

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1. Jacqueline’s Sense of Role Performance:

  • Strong sense of filial duty: Jacqueline’s dedication to caring for her mother reflects a strong sense of filial responsibility, fulfilling a promise and honoring cultural expectations. However, this may be leading to role strain and neglect of other aspects of her life.
  • Shifting identity: Focusing solely on caregiving might make Jacqueline feel like she’s lost her identity beyond being a caregiver, impacting her self-esteem and sense of fulfillment.
  • Unrealistic expectations: Holding herself to impossibly high standards of care and complete availability despite her mother’s condition might contribute to her distress and fatigue.
  • Limited perspective: Jacqueline might overlook alternative care op

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Jacqueline’s Contribution to her Health:

  • Neglecting self-care: Insufficient sleep, lack of leisure activities, and difficulty socializing negatively impact her physical and mental health, increasing stress and risk of burnout.
  • Poor coping mechanisms: Suppressing emotions and avoiding discussing difficulties with Mark or others hinder healthy coping and increase her burden.
  • Lack of support systems: Not utilizing available resources (adult day care, support groups) or relying on Mark excessively may exacerbate her fatigue and limit her coping capacity.
  • Perfectionism and guilt: Striving for unrealistic caregiving standards and feeling guilty about taking time for herself can worsen her anxiety and depression.

Additional Considerations:

  • Evaluating professional help: Exploring therapy or support groups can offer coping strategies, emotional support, and validate her experiences.
  • Reassessment of caregiving role: Discussing care options with Mark, other family members, and healthcare professionals can help develop a sustainable and balanced care plan.
  • Prioritizing self-care: Scheduling and enjoying leisure activities, getting adequate sleep, and engaging in stress-reduction techniques are crucial for her health and well-being.

It’s important to remember that Jacqueline’s situation is complex and nuanced. While her dedication to her mother is admirable, her own well-being is equally important. By acknowledging the potential limitations of her current role performance and actively seeking support, she can navigate this challenging situation with greater resilience and maintain her own health and well-being.

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