Health Promotion: Prevention of Disease Case Study Stresses management

Health Promotion: Prevention of Disease Case Study Stresses management

“Time and health are two precious assets that we do not recognize and appreciate until they have been depleted.” (Denis Waitley). Health promotion is a crucial element of disease prevention involving strategies and activities positioned at improving the health of individuals and communities (Edelman & Kudzma, 2021). Stress management is a fundamental part of health promotion, which is crucial in preventing disease and overall well-being promotion. By promoting stress management, individuals can have a blooming lifestyle leading to better health outcomes and disease prevention. Health promotion affairs should aim at strategies enabling individuals and communities to handle stress, promoting overall health and well-being. This essay will explore a case study on Sandra, a 47-year-old divorced woman diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer four years ago. From the case study, the essay will discuss some of the stresses on Sandra’s middle-aged sister and the family, available resources to manage the stress and support the sister while caring for their dying sister Sandra, and feelings of Sandra about dependency and loss of autonomy as she is unable to do her activities of daily living any longer.

Some of the Stresses on Sandra’s Middle-Aged Sisters and their Families

Caring for the loved one is illuminating as it is a core value, with everyone wishing to provide. Sometimes it can be intimidating and twisting even to the most flexible people. Sandra’s middle-aged sisters may experience both physical and emotional stress as a result of the overwhelming responsibilities.  To start with, the sisters are immensely fatigued because of the long hours of taking care of their sister with shiftless emotions and roles. The outcomes for prolonged and engaging roles are social isolation and lack of choice in being a caregiver (Morelli et al., 2019). Sandra’s sisters are also struggling to balance their caregiving roles and jobs, as the caregiving role is demanding, hence the sisters are likely to minimize their working hours which may affect their salaries hence encountering financial difficulties. Although the sisters may lack knowledge on how the caregiving responsibility affects them, too much strain and stress anguish an individual’s health as an individual is likely to encounter anxiety and depression. Sandra’s sister may also encounter anticipatory sorrow due to the fact that their sister’s illness is terminal, and they have to prepare for the ultimate loss of their sister. Caring for an ultimately ill loved one can be a complicated and emotionally taxing occurrence. Caregivers need to get support and resources to overcome such challenges.

Available Resources to Manage Sandra’s Sisters’ Stresses and Support the Sisters while Caring for their Dying Sister Sandra.

The stress of caring for a dying loved one can be shattering, so the caregiving family requires support to manage it. One of the essential help that Sandra’s sisters require is palliative care necessary for providing quality care and comfort for the patient (Hallenbeck, 2022). Sandra’s sisters may not have technical experience in managing symptoms like pain, shortness of breath, and the side effects of medication, where a qualified clinician or physician can be needed to help the family. Another vital resource being overlooked is the visitations of friends and family members. Members of the family and friends can have a significant role as they provide spiritual and emotional support to the relatives of the dying patient. Physical presence and listening, holding hands, and talking with family members are soothing and can relieve stress. The effort of visiting and sitting quietly and sharing memories with family members can also be reassuring (Haugdahl et al., 2018). In addition, agencies like visiting nurse associations can help as they can assist the family by offering qualified practitioners. Even though palliative care is usually offered in clinics and hospitals, arrangements can be made for Sandra to receive it from home. Sandra’s sisters having professional support and connection with family and friends could be essential resources for them to manage the stresses of caregiving. Such resources can help Sandra’s sisters manage the stresses of caring for their dying sister, providing comfort and support in difficult times.