Mrs. G. feels somber about her life, considering that she remembers how helpful and supportive her husband was when he was alive. Significantly, her memories about Mr. G, who has died, are crucial to her. As presented in the case study, she entirely relied on her husband throughout her life, referring to him as the family provider. As a result, Mrs. G’s husband was a caring and loving man. At this particular moment, he is the one she is thinking about, fantasizing about the memories that they shared while they were happy together. Understandably, considering that the children left the homestead several years ago, their decision to take her to the nursing home aroused memories about her late husband. Reflectively, the action of Mrs. G being told to come to the elderly care institution is unimaginable.
Mrs. G’s response did not surprise me because the scenario surrounding her decision not to leave her home is common in society. Moreover, when close people die, one becomes agonized, unable to forget the good memories they shared when they were together. People have sentimental objects and memories that they reckon for life, and even when their close person dies, the reminiscences remain fresh in their minds. From my personal experience, my father lost his mother three years ago. For over ten years, my grandmother had been staying in our house. After her death, my father has remained confused, whereby I find it hard comforting him. He turned the room into his ‘small bedroom’ where he rests. My father put a photo of his mother on the wall, indicating that he still remembers her. Therefore, people become attached to the ones they love, and by leaving them, they become emotionally hurt when they remember the ordeal.
There are several ways that culture influenced Mrs. G’s decision. According to the Latino culture, civilians are group-affiliated, whereby they feel safer when they are within a cluster (Sibley & Brabeck, 2017). The family is the strongest pillar as it gives individuals a source of identity and equal protection against life’s challenges. Latinos believe that when one has troubles in life, the family members can solve and calm the situation. The sense of family belonging is robust and limited to close friends and family members. Individuals who are not close allies or belong to the same families, find it hard to obtain critical information about household affairs. The family tree incorporates an extended family, including cousins, aunts and uncles, grandparents, and people who are nonbiologically related (Pascoe, 2017). Arguably, forceful family connections make Mrs. G see it hectic and disastrous to leave her house and move to an elderly home. She has been dependent on and attached to her personal doctor for medication. Mrs. G believes that the attachment between her and the daughter who lives in a nearby town will ensure that she stays safe at home and provide help when needed.
Mrs. G’s daughter should say to her mother that she is concerned about her health and life. The young girl should tell her parent that she cares and wishes the best for her; hence it is unsafe for Mrs. G to live alone. The mother should understand that every child wants her parents to be alive. The death of Mr. G might have frightened and devastated the children, hence deciding to safeguard their mother by taking her to a place that is more comfortable and where healthcare services are a guarantee. The daughter can explain the different hazards associated with staying alone in a house, including developing mental disorders such as depression. While speaking to her mother, she should sit close to her and commence speaking softly while brushing her hair and wrapping her shoulders gently. Moreover, the daughter can hold her mother’s hand as a way of showing compassion and love for her old parent. As a result, the mother will feel comfortable and develop a critical understanding that her children care for her wellbeing and are always in their mother’s best interest.
There are other services which can be offered at home. It is not necessary to take Mrs. G to an assisted living facility. However, her children should be more dedicated to providing financial aid. For instance, there are home-based institutions, including “Granny Nanny,” which can ensure that Mrs. G obtains the same services at home that she would receive while in the care center. Moreover, the daughter who lives nearby can frequently visit her mother, for example, every two days, to check on her wellbeing. Mrs. G. can be educated to use the call alert buttons, which she can press in case of an emergency. Finally, the ground can be renovated to the required safety standards to avoid incidences of Mrs. G falling down, which might put her physical health at risk. Therefore, applying all these recommendations mentioned above will ensure that Mrs. G lives a healthy and comfortable life in her home away from the nursing centers.
References
Pascoe, S. (2017). Health care delivery for the US Hispanic minority can be improved (Publication No. 682) [Master’s thesis, Ouachita Baptist University]. Scholarly Commons Dissertations Publishing.
Sibley, E., & Brabeck, K. (2017). Latino immigrant students’ school experiences in the United States: The importance of family-school-community collaborations. School Community Journal, 27(1), 137−157.