ch 34 - relationships, roles and transitions Flashcards
what puts older adults at increased economic risk
- disabilities
- lacked access to education
- low paying jobs without benefits
- those uneligible for social security
- women
common widower reactions
- searching for lost partner
- neglect of self
- inability to share grief
- lack of social contacts
- struggle to view women as other than wife
- erosion of self confidence and sexuality
- protracted grief period
five stages of widowhood
- reactionary (first few weeks)
- withdrawal (first few months)
- recuperation (second six months)
- exploration (second year)
- integration (fifth year)
S+S reactionary stage of widowhood
- disbelief
- anger
- indecision
- detachment
- inability to communicate in logical sustained manner
- searching for mate
- visions
- hallucinations
- depersonalization
interventions for reactionary stage of widowhood
- support
- validate
- be available
- listen
- reduce expectations
S+S withdrawal stage of widowhood
- depression
- apathy
- physiological vulnerability
- slowed movement and cognition
- insomnia
- unpredictable waves of grief
- anorexia
interventions for withdrawal stage of widowhood
- protect against suicide
- monitor health status
- encourage involvement in support groups
S+S recuperation stage of widowhood
- periods of depression
- returning feelings of personal control
interventions for recuperation stage of widowhood
- support accustomed lifestyle patterns
- encourage individual to explore new possibilities
S+S exploration stage of widowhood
- new ventures
- testing suitability of new roles
- anniversaries, holidays, birthdays, and date of death may be hard
interventions for exploration stage of widowhood
- prepare for unexpected reactions during special dates
- encourage and support new trial roles
S+S integration stage of widowhood
-fully integrated into new and satisfying roles
interventions for integration stage of widowhood
-assist individual to recognize and share pattern of growth through loss
potential areas of conflict when adding an older adult to family
- space
- possessions
- entertaining
- responsibilities and chores
- expenses
- vacations
- childrearing
- childcare
ways to decrease areas of conflict when adding an older adult to family
- respect privacy
- discuss space
- discuss older adult’s furnishings before the move
- make social events clear in advance
- make clear decisions about household tasks
- have older adult pay share of expenses if able
