Case Study 15- Placing A Family Member in A Nursing Home

Placing a loved one in a nursing home can be a very daunting decision to make by the family members, especially those close to them. It is nearly never easy, and often, family members put it off until it is way past the time they should have done so. However, placing the person in a nursing home is always for the best of their interest and that of the family members, especially if the person is suffering from a progressive condition. This situation is evident from the case study (Wilkes, Jackson & Vallido, 2008). The two grief theories that are most suitable for the case in the case study are “Kubler-Ross’s five stages of grief” and the “dual-process model of grieving.” In his theory, Kubler describes 5 stages of loss experienced by individuals who face the news of their approaching or imminent death. These stages entail what a dying individual goes through psychologically, and they include “denial,” “anger,” “bargaining,” “depression,’ and “acceptance” (Mayers-Elder, 2008). The case described in the case study is an indication of how Robert and Janet were struggling through these stages. Eventually, they seem to accept the inevitable. The dual-process model of grieving considers that grieving persons often oscillate between grieving and preparing to live their life without their loved ones. (Richardson, 2006) This is what Janet is undergoing from the case study. What Janet is going through is “loss and restoration” orientation.

Based on Kubler-Ross’s five stages of grief, the subjects in the case study fall under the last stage, which is acceptance. As earlier mentioned, the description in the case study is a narrative of how Robert and Janet were struggling through these four stages. Eventually, they seem to have accepted the inevitable. Janet seemed to have come into terms with her husband’s condition and seems to have accepted her loss. On the other hand, Robert appears to have accepted his fate and that is why he is no longer angry and too demanding as before. Jane is now ready to live her life without Robert.

Based on the field I would like to specialize in, I would be focusing on Jane and other clients undergoing similar situations. The field I would like to specialize in is counselling psychology. Jane is going through a lot of situations that need to be handled through counselling. For instance, Jane’s deteriorating health could have been aggravated by the underlying situation at home. Jane should have accepted earlier that she was losing Robert, and that placing him in a nursing home was a better decision for both of them. Also, she should have accepted that there was nothing more she could do for Robert and instead concentrated on her well-being. I would pharmaceutically treat Janet for her depression and place her under continuous counselling therapy.

The outcomes of the above-recommended treatment for Janet would likely be positive. Janet is suffering from depression emerging from her grief of losing Robert, though he is not dead yet. The guilt is part of her bargaining for placing Robert in a nursing home. In other words, she is trying to punish herself for doing what it had to be done. She knows that placing Robert in a nursing home is the right thing that should have been done a long time ago. However, she cannot bring herself to admit that way. Therefore, treating her depression and placing her under counselling would restore her.

References

Mayers-Elder, C. (2008). On grief and grieving: Finding the meaning of grief through the five stages of loss. Journal of the National Medical Association, 100(7), 865–866. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0027-9684(15)31384-5

Richardson, V. E. (2006). A dual process model of grief counseling. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 48(3-4), 311–329. https://doi.org/10.1300/j083v48n03_03

Wilkes, L., Jackson, D., & Vallido, T. (2008). Placing a relative into a nursing home: family members’ experiences after the move. A review of the literature. Geriaction, 26(1), 24-29.