Problems With Health Care In A Life Worth Caring, By Michael Wolff

1318 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Caring for older people

“Dementia does not Care” Dementia is the loss of a person’s mental skills from their daily routines. The symptoms of dementia could easily be over looked, they include forgetting things, daily routines are hard to complete, misplacing things, depression, aggravation and aggression, emotion are high, even feeling like someone is a threat to their life (Web MD,2012). Caring for someone with dementia can be difficult if with resources like healthcare, living facilities, nursing homes and medicine is involved, but sometimes healthcare and facilities do not provide the proper care. This disease is very common in the elderly community past the age of sixty-five. Finding out that a loved …show more content…

In “A Life Worth ending” by Michael Wolff he touches on the issues with health care, the cost of living and insurance policies that are involved in caring for a parent with dementia or …show more content…

A person with dementia or any type of mental illness is required to have some type of care around the clock for their safety, without this care they could put their life in danger or the people around them (Baillie, Lesley,2015). In the essay Wolff gives us how he cares for his mother, “She is attended 24/7 by two daily shifts of devoted caregivers. It is peaceful and serene” (Wolff, M pg. 210). Caring for a person with dementia is a process, especially when you still have other responsibilities to take care of. In the essay Wolff also expresses the amount of thought and love he put into getting the right place for his mother so she gets the best care possible for this weak and vulnerable time in her life “A national chain of residency for the elderly, the Arteria is more a real-estate business than a health-care enterprise, proving, at the hefty cost—the apartments are in the $8,000 -a-month range—quite a pleasant one-bedroom apartment in a prewar building, full of amenities (terraces and hairdressers) and graduations of assistance. But it is important to understand—” (Wolff, M pg.212). The cost of a nursing home is very expensive if you want the right one that applies the right care, love and patience that you would give your loved one if they were in your care. Web MD an

Show More
Related

  • Caring for a Person with Alzheimer's Disease

    2109 Words  | 5 Pages

    Informal supports, such as aid for housekeeping and running errands, are crucial to maintaining the lifestyle of individuals with Alzheimer’s in the community; however, the disease’s erosion of physical, cognitive, and communicative abilities often creates tremendous strain for family caregivers. Individuals and family caregivers dealing with Alzheimer’s often experience increasing social isolation as the disease’s progression undermines both mobility and the capacity for meaningful and appropriate engagement with the community (Banerjee et al., 2003). A number of studies have documented the physical and mental health costs borne by unsupported caregivers, and the link between caregiver stress and the institutionalization of their ill family members (Andren & Elmstahl, 2005; Banerjee et al., 2003). Taken together, the stress and isolation of dealing with Alzheimer’s disease undermine the health and quality of life of everyone involved, eventually precipitating institutionalization.

    Read More

  • Summary Of Caring Makes Us Human By Troy Chapman

    209 Words  | 1 Pages

    I had a few of the excerpts that I enjoyed but one of my favorites was Caring Makes Us Human by Troy Chapman. Just the title had me interested because I am someone who cares about other no matter what they have done in their past. This specific excerpt talks about how prisoners started taking care of a cat and felt grace. These prisoners have done some bad things to go to prison yet they can take care of this helpless animal and treat him like a king. Even the guard joined in or enjoyed watching the prisoners just simply talking to each other while petting the cute cat. They are the perfect example of what we should be as humans. Caring for people and things is what makes us human and a lot of people do not understand that yet. Everyone needs

    Read More

  • Dementia Effects the Elderly and Their Caregivers

    718 Words  | 2 Pages

    Butler, R. (2008). The Carers of People with Dementia. BMJ: British Medical Journal , 336, 1260-1261.

    Read More

  • Summary Of A Life Worth Ending By Michael Wolff

    1963 Words  | 4 Pages

    Illness and pain are by fare two of the worst things we could ever see happen to a loved one. Moreover, know that illness and pain is irreversible and sometimes fatal. Most illness in our older loved ones are caused by the fact that their body is aging. “Older adults experience more chronic illnesses than any other age group (Merck Research Laboratories, 1997).” (Brown 93). “The elderly, especially those over 80 years of age are the fastest growing population in the US, and the elderly report more pain than younger persons.” (Karen Bellenir 57). Michael Wolff discusses his mother’s illnesses and how it is effecting her everyday life. He goes a step further and paints a picture of how it makes him feel, in turn Wolff is able to capture the reader and draw them close to his opinion. “She strains for cognition and shockingly, sometimes bursts forward, reaching it – “Nice suit,” she said to me, out of the blue, a few months ago- before falling back. That is the thing that

    Read More

  • How Does Alzheimer's Affect Society

    983 Words  | 2 Pages

    Sometimes, the caregiver won’t allow quality sleep. Over 66 percent of home caregivers suffer from some form of psychological or physical illness. The most common illness that results from giving care to Alzheimer’s disease is depression. The caregiver needs to monitor their emotional well-being as well as the well-being of the person that they are giving care to. Usually, giving care to those with dementia is actually more stressful than giving care to those with cancer.

    Read More

  • Providing Quality Care for Patients with Dementia

    1416 Words  | 3 Pages

    care to the residents suffering from dementia. Banner et al (2009 as cited in Lee J.et al.2012)

    Read More

  • Individuality In Health And Social Care Essay

    297 Words  | 1 Pages

    Every older people suffering from dementia or any mental illness should contribute to decision-making process if able on about the services the resident gets and is empowered to practice choice and control over his or her way of life. Healthcare professionals need to offer residents with dementia significant parts in making their own particular care plans. We should give the majority of the residents as much decision as possible around both their care and environment.

    Read More

  • Dementia Essay

    1084 Words  | 3 Pages

    70% of the patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia live at home. Patients who are living at home typically receive help from their family members and friends; they also get community–based services, homemaker services, and adult day care centers. Many people with dementia end up in long-term care facility or a nursing home because they need 24-hour care and hand-on assistance with even the simplest of tasks. These patients struggle with eating, bathing, dressing, and using the restroom, which can be very difficult if the assistant has not had training. It would be very difficult to treat patients with high-grade dementia in the regular

    Read More

  • Nursing Home Abuse

    1086 Words  | 3 Pages

    The legislation, included in the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987, specifies that a nursing home “must provide services and activities to attain or maintain the highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being of each resident in accordance with a written plan of care." ... ... middle of paper ... ... Nursing home care is expensive.

    Read More

  • Assisted Living Vs Nursing Home Essay

    696 Words  | 2 Pages

    With the aging population growing faster every year many families must make a difficult decision whether their loved ones should live in assisted living or nursing home facilities. I can relate because I made the decision to care for my mother at my home. Some people do not have the money or resources to care for their parent so they must live in a facility for health and safety reasons.

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay On Dementia

    1172 Words  | 3 Pages

    In most facilities an initiative lifestyle has been organized to give people with dementia a voice in how and where they are cared for (White). This is how things should be everywhere in the world when it comes to people with dementia. People affected by this disease don’t need people to tell them what to do or make decisions for them, they need the freedom to do it themselves so they don’t give up. Although incapacity is common, many persons with dementia are capable of making their own medical and research decisions (Kim, Karlawish, and Caine). At the early stages of dementia, a will needs to be made so medical wishes can be granted. When people are given the freedom of choice, they are much happier, they live longer, and they have a better attitude about the disease they are suffering from. Individuals that get dementia did not get it by choice, but they live through it day by day with strength and the ability to live

    Read More

  • The Healthcare System And The Affordable Care System

    1259 Words  | 3 Pages

    Individuals are living longer due to a shift in the mortality rate of diseases that previously were responsible for a higher incidence of death. An Increase in research and technology in the area of medicine have lowered the mortality rate among older adults, increasing the aging population. As noted by Halaweish and Alam (2015), the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease as a cause of death is steadily on the increase as the number of older adults climbs. This statistic indicates the necessity of healthcare sector preparedness in the capacity of end of life care. Emphasis reflecting trends in healthcare should focus on Alzheimer awareness, home health care and long term care facilities. As individuals begin to live longer and experience an increase in healthcare technology, the prevalence of chronic diseases increases. The inclination of chronic diseases and co-morbidities increases medical expenditures. The growing rate of older adults suffering from chronic diseases may increase the frequency of older adults having a disability. This increase in disability as a result of chronic disease will require emphasis on long term care options for older

    Read More

  • Funeral Cost Essay

    1241 Words  | 3 Pages

    It can also be quite stressful for the dying individual if the family members are attempting to plan their funeral and they are unable to communicate their wishes (Callanan & Kelley, 1992: 42-43). This issue of miscommunication occurs closer to death, so if the planning process starts soon enough the dying individual should be able to effectively communicate their wishes (Callanan & Kelley, 1992: 42-43). It has also impacted the dying individual in positive ways. Because of this, there are now places that individuals can transition into before the actual dying process begins. For example, in past decades, individuals with dementia would have to stay at home and be cared for by their friends and family, who while trying their best, may not have been able to cope with the demands of that individual along with their own personal lives (Dosa, 2010). Now, these individuals, when money and resources allow, are able to access special institutions and sectors in hospitals that are specially equipped to deal with those demands (Dosa, 2010). But this transition has plenty of financial challenges that go along with

    Read More

  • Essay On Elderly Abuse In Dementia

    749 Words  | 2 Pages

    In this week's posting I will identify and discuss issues of abuse within the elderly population who have dementia. I will discuss the caregiver role and why elderly individuals with dementia are more prone to abuse. Studieshave shown that there are alarmingly high rates of abuse among patients suffering from dementia by their caregivers and within a home-care setting. A study of caregiver-care recipients found that 47.3% of elderly patients with dementia were abused (Gibbs, &Mosqueda, 2010). The literature described verbal abuse as being the most common type reported, however physical abuse was also reported but was rarer (Gibbs, &Mosqueda, 2010).

    Read More

  • Argumentative Analysis

    1115 Words  | 3 Pages

    At this point dementia can only be treated to slow down the process like using medication, and other effective ways of slowing down the process is different types of therapy such as art therapy or music therapy. This kind of disorder known for in the geriatric field is called “pseudo dementia of depression”, and it’s due to major depression from elderly’s. The symptoms are similar towards elderly’s such as confusion, losing memory, or slowing down the functions of the brain, and which it’s also called “dementia syndrome of depression.” Patients who have this kind of symptom are aware of their memory lost when they have dementia, and they get sad how it’s difficult to deal with it while patients with Alzheimer’s are not aware. It’s critical to help elderly patients to continue to be productive to, so they could exercise and stimulate their cognitive

    Read More

More about Problems With Health Care In A Life Worth Caring, By Michael Wolff

Open Document