Two DB Replies APA 250 WORDS EACH USE 2 scholarly
citations in APA Any sources cited must have been published within the last
five years. must use 1 Bible reference in each reply.
DB REPLY 1
The elderly and people with disabilities are considered vulnerable populations because of the perception that their impairments make them reliant on others and unable to care for themselves (Kaplan, 2018). For example, individuals with disabilities such as dementia or cerebral palsy may be experiencing neglect from caretakers, but because of their condition, they are unable to tell anyone about it. When faced with a crisis, the elderly and those with disabilities must have the representation they need through case management. It is also essential that human service professionals managing these cases are educated in how to work with individuals who have disabilities and do not reinforce stigmatization (Kaplan, 2018). Each individual may be experiencing a different disability, but they all deserve the same equal access to safety, care, and justice.
Coping refers to the cognitive and behavioral alterations an individual endures to comprehend a difficult circumstance (Corr et al., 2019). When faced with death, an individual’s coping methods alter as their understanding of the event progresses. According to the Kubler-Ross model, dying individuals go through seven stages: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, reactive, preparatory, and finally, acceptance (Corr et al., 2019). Though an individual is undergoing many unpleasant emotions, experiencing them is healthy and necessary for the coping process. Even Jesus had to cope as he faced his own death. For a long time, he knew it was coming, but on the night before his crucifixion, he wept and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done” (English Standard Version, 2001, Luke 22:42). Jesus was terrified over what was in store for him and even pleaded with God to find a way to prevent it. Yet in his love for us, he ultimately reached acceptance.
The four dimensions are involved in the care of a dying individual. The first is physical care which deals with the bodily needs of the individual (Corr et al., 2019). A large portion of this is to help ease the person as they endure pain. For example, if a person is dying of cancer, nurses and doctors can provide medication to help with the pain while loved ones can ensure that the patient is getting rest and staying hydrated. Along with the physical aspect, another dimension of care is psychological. It is uncomfortable to care for someone as they are emotionally trying to process their impending death. (Corr et al., 2019). We may want to say the right things and provide them the encouragement they need to feel better, but that is not always possible. More than just positivity, we can help simply by being there, willing to sit with them and listen with understanding as they work through their sadness and anger. Another dimension of care is social. Here, a caretaker can help by listening to the individual’s concerns regarding their connection to loved ones. For example, an elderly man dying can receive assurance that his wife will be taken care of after he is gone. Lastly, there is the spiritual dimension of care. Facing the uncertainty of death can be frightening, but similarly to psychological care, a caretaker can help a dying individual by actively listening to them as they search for meaning and significance at the end of their life.
For individuals who are coping with death, there are several services available. First, there are long-term care facilities that provide 24-hour care for residents and have trained aides and nurses available when needed. This is especially beneficial for especially old or feeble residents or those with disabilities. However, the environment of a long-term care facility may not always be conducive to family involvement or providing end-of-life care to satisfy individual needs (Corr et al., 2019). Another form of care is home-health care. With home-health care, an individual can receive nursing and other health services in their home. While the home environment is comfortable for the individual, home-health care does not typically specialize in end-of-life care. Lastly, hospice programs specialize in the care of individuals who have six months or less to live (Corr et al., 2019). While providing multiple forms of care, hospice programs also incorporate loved ones into the care process, so the individual can reach the end as peacefully as possible. However, entering a hospice program can be difficult for the individual and their families because of the realization that they are no longer looking for cures but preparing to say goodbye.
DB REPLY 2
Why are the elderly and disabled considered vulnerable populations and what special considerations are needed when working with these groups?
The elderly and disabled populations are considered vulnerable because they are often not able to take care of themselves, or are unable to do certain things that are a crucial part of their lives. Such as going to work, feeding themselves, going to the bathroom, etc etc. Several different considerations must be taken to heart when working with these populations. First, no two disabled or elderly people are the same, each of them has different needs and different ways of meeting those needs, so you mustn’t take the same approach for each individual when you are working with them. What works for one person might not work for another. The most important thing to take into account is that just because they are unable to take care of themselves in some way or another, or at all does not make them any less of an individual. They still have value, they still deserve love, and they are still a creation of God created in His image and loved by Him.
Identify key elements of coping with dying as described in our course materials. Do these concepts dovetail with Scripture? Why or why not?
There are two main concepts the are part of coping with death, knowing about the future of those who you love, and knowing about your life up until you die. Dying is easy for no one, especially those who have to watch their loved ones go through it. Someone who is sick and dying may worry about how their loved one, child, parent, or someone they love will be able to survive without them, whether they can’t take care of themselves or whether they are too young to do so. There are two other aspects of helping others cope with dying. Compassion and empathy, with compassion and empathy we can help others process death, as well as this, allow them to have an outlet for their feelings, aggression, anything else there feeling at this point. When you are spending time with someone who is dying be careful not to mix compassion and empathy with pity. no one who is dying wants pity they don’t want to be pitied, they want to be heard and understood, they want to be listened to.
What are the four dimensions of caring for the dying? Give an example of how these dimensions might emerge using a case example (media example or made-up).
There are four dimensions of care for those who are dying, physical, psychological, social, and spiritual. They’re all important for helping those who are dying a little taste of the life they had before. Physical focuses mainly on the physical aspects of their illness, stay in pain, if they are unable to do something like they used to be able to. Helping them reach a level of normal again, will help them heal, or get to a point where they can level out their thoughts and feelings. The physical dimension ties into the psychological dimension, someone is not feeling good physically they will not feel good mentally. To help fix this we must make sure to address the physical changes that they are going through. As physical aspects of their lives are changing those aspects should be addressed in a way that helps them begin to accept those areas of their lives. The psychological has a definite effect on the social dimensions of their lives. The more physical pain or psychological discomfort that they are feeling, the less likely they are going to want to see or talk to others. They will not want anyone, because of how poorly they are doing so they will isolate themselves. Lastly all of these tie into the spiritual aspect of life. If they do not feel good about themselves physically, psychologically, socially, then how will they feel good about themselves spiritually. As Christians, we are called not to rely on ourselves belong God on how he views us and how he sees us. As Christians, we need to remember that our work does not come from what we can do, how we look, or how we feel instead needs to come from the innate value that has been given to us by God. Oftentimes those in need of spiritual help need some of the spiritual nature to address them. That is not always a priest, what pastor, for another sort of spiritual leader just be brother or sister in Christ to leave them and remind always be with Them.
What are the advantages and limitations of being cared for by a long-term care facility, home healthcare program, hospice, versus a hospital as far as mental health support?
There are plenty of advantages, and disadvantages of being cared for in a long-term facility versus being cared for back home. Number one, there are trained professionals who are taught and know how to just the needs unable to care for themselves. They are always watched and checked on so there is little worry about them not being cared for, as well as with that there is constant medical care that can be provided to them whenever they need it. There are downsides to this, take into account COVID, they were unable to see their families for months. Along with that, they may be living where the family is not able to see them often, or ever. So while they may get social interactions with those who are the same age as them, they will not get to see their loved ones as often as they would like which can lead to other issues such as psychological, and physical issues. A better option would be a hospital or Hospice at home. Where they could get more regular interaction with their family and loved ones, should not only help their physical health but also their mental health. There is one downside to this, this is not often an affordable option for most. So oftentimes they have to take what they can afford which is Not always ideal for their loved ones.
