CASE STUDY: An Older Immigrant Couple
CASE STUDY: An Older Immigrant Couple: Mr. and Mrs. Arahan Mr. and Mrs. Arahan, an older couple in their seventies, have been living with their oldest daughter, her husband of 15 years, and their two children, ages 12 and 14. They all live in a middle-income neighborhood in a suburb of a metropolitan city. Mr. and Mrs. Arahan are both college educated and worked full-time while they were in their native country. In addition, Mr. Arahan, the only offspring of wealthy parents, inherited a substantial amount of money and real estate. Their daughter came to the United States as a registered nurse and met her husband, a drug company representative. The older couple moved to the United States when their daughter became a U.S. citizen and petitioned them as immigrants. Since the couple was facing retirement, they welcomed the opportunity to come to the United States.
The Arahans found life in the United States different from that in their home country, but their adjustment was not as difficult because both were healthy and spoke English fluently. Most of their time was spent taking care of their two grandchildren and the house. As the grandchildren grew older, the older couple found that they had more spare time. The daughter and her husband advanced in their careers and spent a great deal more time at their jobs. There were few family dinners during the week. On weekends, the daughter, her husband, and their children socialized with their own friends. The couple began to feel isolated and longed for a more active life.
Mr. and Mrs. Arahan began to think that perhaps they should return to the home country, where they still had relatives and friends. However, political and economic issues would have made it difficult for them to live there. Besides, they had become accustomed to the way of life in the United States with all the modern conveniences and abundance of goods that were difficult to obtain in their country. However, they also became concerned that they might not be able to tolerate the winter months and that minor health problems might worsen as they aged. They wondered who would take care of them if they became very frail and where they would live, knowing that their daughter had only saved money for their grandchildren's college education. They expressed their sentiments to their daughter, who became very concerned about how her parents were feeling.
This older couple had been attending church on a regular basis, but had never been active in other church-related activities. The church bulletin announced the establishment of parish nursing with two retired registered nurses as volunteers. The couple attended the first opening of the parish clinic. Here, they met one of the registered nurses, who had a short discussion with them about the services offered. The registered nurse had spent a great deal of her working years as a community health nurse. She informed Mr. and Mrs. Arahan of her availability to help them resolve any health-related issues.
Reflective Questions
1.What strategies could be suggested for this older adult couple to enhance their quality of life? 2.What community resources can they utilize? 3.What can the daughter and her family do to address the feelings of isolation of the older couple? 4.What health promotion activities can ensure a healthy lifestyle for them?
Sample Solution
- Get involved in their community. This could involve volunteering at their church, joining a senior center, or taking a class. Getting involved in their community can help them meet new people and make new friends. It can also give them a sense of purpose and belonging.
- Stay active. This could involve taking walks, swimming, or doing yoga. Exercise is important for overall health and well-being, and it can also help to reduce stress.
- Eat a healthy diet. This means eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. It also means limiting processed foods, sugary drinks, and unhealthy fats. Eating a healthy diet can help to maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
Full Answer Section
- Get enough sleep. Adults over the age of 65 need around 7-8 hours of sleep per night. Getting enough sleep can help to improve mood, concentration, and energy levels.
- Manage stress. Stress can take a toll on physical and mental health. There are many ways to manage stress, such as exercise, relaxation techniques, and spending time with loved ones.
Here are some community resources that Mr. and Mrs. Arahan could utilize:
- Senior centers: Senior centers offer a variety of programs and services for older adults, such as social activities, health screenings, and transportation assistance.
- Meals on Wheels: Meals on Wheels delivers meals to homebound seniors. This can help to ensure that they are getting the nutrition they need.
- Transportation assistance: There are a number of organizations that provide transportation assistance to older adults. This can help them to get to medical appointments, grocery stores, and other important places.
- In-home care: In-home care can help older adults with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, and cooking. This can help them to remain independent in their own homes.
- Adult day care: Adult day care provides a safe and supportive environment for older adults during the day. This can give their family members a break and allow the older adults to socialize and participate in activities.
The daughter and her family can do a number of things to address the feelings of isolation of the older couple:
- Make an effort to spend time with them. This could involve having regular family dinners, going on outings together, or simply calling them to chat.
- Encourage them to get involved in their community. This could involve helping them to find a senior center or volunteer opportunity.
- Be understanding and supportive. It is important to remember that the older couple is going through a difficult adjustment period. Be patient and understanding with them.
- Encourage them to seek professional help if needed. If the older couple is struggling to cope with their feelings of isolation, encourage them to seek professional help from a therapist or counselor.
Here are some health promotion activities that can ensure a healthy lifestyle for Mr. and Mrs. Arahan:
- Get regular checkups. This is important for early detection and treatment of any health problems.
- Take their medications as prescribed. It is important to take medications as prescribed by their doctor.
- Eat a healthy diet. This means eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. It also means limiting processed foods, sugary drinks, and unhealthy fats.
- Get regular exercise. Exercise is important for overall health and well-being. It can help to maintain a healthy weight, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and improve mood.
- Manage stress. Stress can take a toll on physical and mental health. There are many ways to manage stress, such as exercise, relaxation techniques, and spending time with loved ones.