Caregiver Case Study - Pastoral Care for/with Marginalized Bodies

 Caregiver Case Study

Caregiver: Lisa

Care Receiver: Brenda (Lisa’s mother )

(Names and some details have been changed to protect identity)

Background:

Lisa is a 43-year-old woman who is the primary caregiver for her mother, Brenda. Brenda is 78 years old and has a number of health problems, including diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, dementia, paranoid schizophrenia, and a history of physical violence. She is also a toxic narcissist and has been verbally and emotionally abusive to Lisa and her other siblings for their entire lives.

In the past two years, Brenda has had a number of health crises that have required hospitalization and skilled nursing home care. She is now being discharged from the nursing home and Lisa is afraid to help care for her because of Brenda's mean behavior. Lisa is additionally challenged by the situation because she lives in Georgia and Brenda lives in Pennsylvania.

Challenges:

Lisa is facing a number of challenges as a caregiver for her mother. Brenda's dementia makes it difficult for her to understand and follow instructions, and her abusive behavior is taking a toll on Lisa's mental and emotional health. Lisa is also worried about her own health, as she has a number of chronic illnesses, including Addison's disease, ankylosing spondylitis, and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

In addition to the challenges listed above, Lisa is also facing the following challenges:

• The distance between her and her mother.

• The cost of travel and care for her mother.

• The loss of her mother's dog.

• Lisa's own chronic health conditions.

• The history of physical violence between Brenda and Lisa's sister Wendy.

Goals:

Lisa's goals as a caregiver are to:

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• Provide her mother with the best possible care, while also protecting her own health and well-being.

• Set boundaries with her mother and establish clear expectations for her behavior.

• Find support for herself, both emotionally and practically.

Action Plan:

Lisa has created an action plan to help her achieve her goals as a caregiver. This plan includes the following steps:

• Talk to her doctor about her chronic health conditions and get a referral to a therapist.

• Join a support group for caregivers of people with dementia and mental illness.

• Find a respite care provider so that she can take breaks from caregiving.

• Set clear boundaries with her mother and enforce them consistently.

• Communicate with her siblings about their mother's care and get their support.

• Find ways to relax and de-stress, such as yoga, meditation, or spending time in nature.

• Look into long-term care options for her mother in Pennsylvania.

• Consider hiring a lawyer to help her get a restraining order against her mother and sister.

Outcome:

Lisa is committed to providing her mother with the best possible care, while also protecting her own health and well-being. She knows that it will be a challenge, but she is confident that she can do it. She is grateful for the support of her doctor, therapist, support group, and siblings, and she is hopeful for the future.

Resources:

• The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers a variety of resources for caregivers, including support groups, educational materials, and a helpline.

• The Alzheimer's Association also offers a variety of resources for caregivers, including support groups, educational materials, and a helpline.

• The National Family Caregivers Association offers a variety of resources for caregivers, including support groups, educational materials, and a helpline.

• The Alzheimer's Association of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey offers a variety of services to help families cope with dementia, including support groups, educational programs, and a 24/7 helpline.

• The Family Caregiver Alliance of Southeastern Pennsylvania provides support and resources to caregivers of adults with disabilities and chronic illnesses.

• The Visiting Nurse Association of Berks County offers a variety of home health care services, including skilled nursing, personal care, and respite care.

• The Jewish Family Service of Greater Reading offers a variety of services to help families cope with a variety of challenges, including caregiving, grief, and financial assistance.

• The Berks County Office for Aging provides information and resources to older adults and their families.

Conclusion and suggestions:

Lisa is in a very difficult situation. She is caring for her mother, who is a toxic narcissist and has a history of being abusive. Lisa is also dealing with her own chronic health conditions. It is no wonder that she is feeling overwhelmed and emotionally exhausted.

A chaplain can provide spiritual care to Lisa. This could include providing her with a listening ear, offering guidance and support, and helping her to connect with her faith. Spiritual care can be a valuable resource for caregivers, as it can help them to cope with the stress and challenges of caregiving.

Here are some specific ways that a chaplain could help Lisa:

• Provide a listening ear. A chaplain can provide a safe space for Lisa to talk about her feelings and experiences. This can be helpful for Lisa to process her emotions and to feel less alone.

• Offer guidance and support. A chaplain can offer Lisa guidance and support as she navigates the challenges of caregiving. This could include helping her to set boundaries, to find respite care, or to connect with other caregivers.

• Help her to connect with her faith. If Lisa is religious, a chaplain can help her to connect with her faith. This could be helpful for Lisa to find strength and comfort during this difficult time.

If Lisa is interested in receiving spiritual care, she can reach out to a chaplain at her local hospital, church, or synagogue.

A few resources that are available in the Augusta, GA area for Lisa include the following:

• The Spiritual Care Department at Augusta University Medical Center offers a variety of services to help patients and their families cope with the challenges of illness and death. These services include individual and family counseling, spiritual support groups, and religious services.

• The Pastoral Care Department at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital offers a variety of services to help patients and their families cope with the challenges of illness and death. These services include individual and family counseling, spiritual support groups, and religious services.

• The Chaplaincy Program at the Medical College of Georgia offers a variety of services to help patients and their families cope with the challenges of illness and death. These services include individual and family counseling, spiritual support groups, and religious services.

• The First Baptist Church of Augusta offers a variety of services to help families cope with the challenges of aging parents. These services include a grief support group, a caregiver support group, and a spiritual counseling ministry.

• The First Presbyterian Church of Augusta offers a variety of services to help families cope with the challenges of aging parents. These services include a grief support group, a caregiver support group, and a spiritual counseling ministry.

• The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Augusta offers a variety of services to help families cope with the challenges of aging parents. These services include a grief support group, a caregiver support group, and a spiritual counseling ministry.