Unit 21 Supporting Significant Life Events

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The aim of this unit is to enable you to investigate the support available for those experiencing significant life events and the effectiveness of service responses in supporting such individuals. You will investigate how individuals may be supported through expected and unexpected transitions associated with the human life cycle and with adjustment to change such as entering, moving within, or leaving a health and social care service. The responsibilities of ensuring that a service is responsive to the needs of individuals experiencing trauma and loss will be discussed. You will look at ways in which health and social care services may contribute to the maintenance of dignity and self-image for those experiencing trauma and loss. You will also explore how staff working with individuals experiencing significant life events may also be supported.

As part of a couple, there are many day-to-day tasks that are often split between the two people. When one half of the couple is struck down by a disease such as Alzheimer’s, those tasks can no longer be equally shared, and more pressure falls on the other half of the couple as well as the family as a whole. When Terry could not drive anymore, it became Christine’s responsibility as the sole driver as Terry can no longer drive; just a few months ago after fastening Terry into the car and walking around to the driver’s side, he had released the handbrake in confusion over his seatbelt holder.

At times, Terry has questioned his relation to Christine and there even came a time when he dialled 999 to ask about the welfare of one of his daughters as he had not seen her for a while.

Familiarity is usually the key when dealing with Alzheimer’s; if the surroundings and people are the same then they can develop some sense of routine – a word that is crucial to the day-to-day life of someone living as a sufferer or a carer. However, sometimes it can also be good to have a short break, as Christine and Terry found out when they went to a holiday respite centre in Southport last month. They went as part of a scheme offered by the Alzheimer’s society, and spent the week being looked after by professionals. As well as giving them both a change of scenery, it offered lots of activities for them to take part in as well as day trips, and was fully equipped with qualified carers to deal with Alzheimer’s sufferers, taking some of the pressure off Christine.

Another problem that can arise when spending time with someone suffering from Alzheimer’s is that they can very quickly become paranoid, for example if someone laughs they might think it is directed at them, causing them to become irate. This can make it hard to socialize as normal without making them feel uncomfortable, and it is important to keep their feelings in mind at all times.

While dealing with Alzheimer’s is no walk in the park, it is something that must be done and it does have light moments. For all of the difficult times and the sadness faced there are times when the person suffering from Alzheimer’s will show a flash of their personality as it used to be. These are the times that Terry’s family have cherished and will continue to cherish throughout his illness. Perhaps in a conversation about one of his favourite television shows or when talking about football he will let out a little quip, a quick witted comment and remind everyone that his sense of humour remains very much intact, if a little distorted at times. Sharing a joke with a loved one is always a special moment, but in these circumstances; it is made even more precious.

Alzheimer’s and dementia affect so many people and so many families, so why is the awareness so low? Everyone seems to be aware of and willing to donate money to other charities; Alzheimer’s falls off the radar somewhere along the way. If more money was raised, there might just be enough awareness and money raised to give this illness the attention it so desperately requires. Any families who have dealt with or are dealing with Alzheimer’s will know that it is not just an illness; it becomes a way of life.

http://www.positivehealth.com/article/alzheimer-s/case-study-family-experience-of-living-with-alzheimer-s-disease

Please address the following points in an essay format:

• Explain the impact of significant life events on individuals, e.g. events and transitions associated with life stages (childhood, adolescence, adulthood, middle age, old age, dying); physical, social, psychological changes relating to e.g.  lifestyle, relationships, health, illness, disability, economic circumstances, cultural difference, etc.  (1.1)

• Analyse possible group responses to significant life events that occur to one of its members (groups could include life partnerships, family, friends, communities; care workers, colleagues; users of health and social care services)  (1.2)

• Finally analyse the impact for others in health and social care when an individual experiences significant life events (examples of impacts could  be psychological e.g. depression, emotional stress; physical e.g. reduced mobility, loss of function; social e.g. behavioural, detachment, etc. )  (1.3)

Please make clear connections to your own work/personal or to the case study

Task Guidance:

• To achieve M1, you must demonstrate an effective approach to your study by submitting your work according to the deadline set

(Indicative word count: 1000-1500 words)

Please address the following points in an essay format:

• Explain how others in social networks may provide support to individuals experiencing significant life events. (These could include family, friends, groups, communities; other users of health and social care services, care workers, etc. )  (2.2)

• Evaluate the effectiveness of organisational policies and procedures in supporting individuals and their social networks affected by significant life events. (These polices could include: confidentiality, bereavement, accessing specialist services, etc. )  (2.1)

• Evaluate the suitability of external sources of support for those affected by significant life events (External sources of support could include: specialists within the health and social care sector and the framework within which they work; support therapies eg counselling, aromatherapy; cultural, faith communities; agencies e.g. the Deaf Society, the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), the Dementia Association; information and advice e.g. financial, legal) (2.3)

Please make clear connections to your own work/personal or to the case study 

Task Guidance:

• To achieve M1, you must demonstrate an effective approach to your study by submitting your work according to the deadline set
• To achieve M2, you need to demonstrate the use of a range of sources of information by referring to the roles performed by support groups and the effectiveness of organisational policies and procedures
• To achieve D2, you need to demonstrate the use of a wide range of sources of information with limited tutorial support to demonstrate independent research and application

(Indicative word count: 1000-1500 words)

• Analyse possible organisational responses to the need to support individuals experiencing a significant life event. (These responses could include: applying policies and procedures; critical incident responses; routines; support for those in social networks; respect for rituals; adaptations to service eg equipment; personal care) (3.1)

• Reflect on own personal contributions to the support of individuals experiencing significant life events (This needs to link to your workplace/placement or other personal experience).  (3.2)

• Make recommendations for improving the support available in a health and social care organisation for individuals and their social networks when affected by significant life events (These recommendations could include:  improvements to support e.g. for policies, procedures, organisational culture, management style, accommodation and facilities, etc.) (3.3)

Please make clear connections to your own work/personal or to the case study

Task Guidance:

• You would be expected to use approx. 15 slides in your presentation, i.e.  5 slides per assessment criteria plus a Title slide at the beginning and a References slide at the end. You must also include your slide notes for all slides, when making your presentation.

• To achieve M1, you must demonstrate an effective approach to your study by submitting your work according to the deadline set
• To achieve M3, you must present your findings clearly and confidently making appropriate use of key terms and examples to support your presentation
• To achieve D1, you must make logical recommendations for improving the support available in health and social care organisations for individuals and their social networks when affected by significant life events  that are justified and supported based on examples of best practice
• To achieve D3, you need to demonstrate critical thinking in reflecting on your own personal contributions to the support of individuals experiencing significant life events by providing a detailed evaluation of the effectiveness/ineffectiveness of your role supporting your answer with detailed examples

http://www.positivehealth.com/article/alzheimer-s/case-study-family-experience-of-living-with-alzheimer-s-disease

https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/

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