Healthcare Report: Impact of Significant Life Events and Support

This report delves into the critical area of supporting individuals through significant life events, focusing on the impact of events like dementia and bereavement. It explores the multifaceted effects these events have on individuals, encompassing physical, psychological, and social dimensions. The report examines the responses of various support networks, including family, friends, and community groups, and analyzes the roles of healthcare professionals such as nurses, counselors, and therapists. It highlights the importance of understanding the specific needs of individuals experiencing significant life events to develop effective support strategies, emphasizing the need for organizational policies and external resources to provide comprehensive care. The report concludes with a call for improved healthcare practices to support individuals facing such challenges.

SUPPORTING
SIGNIFICANT LIFE
EVENTS

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.1. Impact of significant life events on individuals..............................................................1
1.2. Group Responses to significant life events.....................................................................2
1.3. Analysis of the impact of others in health and social care when individuals experiencing
significant life events..............................................................................................................2
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
Covered In PPT......................................................................................................................3
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................3
Covered In PPT......................................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................3
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................4

INTRODUCTION
Significant life event refers to a specific occurrence or event which maybe negative or
positive, however, which have a very long term impact on a person's life. In case an individual is
suffering from a negative life event, it is essential for health and social care organisations to
provide them ample support to help them recover from such aspects (Ucbasaran, 2018). The
following report is based on supporting significant life events. It involves understanding impact
of significant life events on individuals and their social networks. The report also includes
understanding the support available for individuals experiencing significant life events. In
addition to this, analysis of responses made by health and social care services has also being
undertaken to people experiencing these events.
TASK 1
1.1. Impact of significant life events on individuals
There are various events that take place in an individual' s life which have a long term
impact on their physical, psychological and social impact on these people. Before supporting
these individuals, it is imperative that such impacts be appropriately understood. This is because
it would provide effective guidance for the kind of healthcare which is to be given to these
individuals. These significant life events as per the case study could be Dementia and
Bereavement. The impact of such events is discussed below: Physical Impact: There are various physical impact associated with Dementia as well as
Alzheimer’s (Bucciol and Zarri, 2013). The foremost impact is the lost of appetite. This
is because the sense of forgetfulness which these patients deal with makes them
somewhat forget these essentials as seen in the case of Jacqui. Moreover, another impact
associated with this disease is the lack of sleep which is referred to 'sundowning', which
is quite frequent in these cases. Psychological Impact: Individuals like Jacqui suffer from various psychological
disturbances due to their health conditions. Experiencing bereavement makes a person
quite unstable in handling their emotions. Moreover, as seen in the case of Jacqui, a
person suffering from Dementia or Bereavement tend to be confused most of the time,
which enhances a feeling of stress and disturbance. Another psychological impact is loss
of confidence. As per the case study, Jacqui was struggling hard to cope up with her
1

daughter and thus, she was not confident enough to lead her own life and ultimately
moved to her parents.
 Social Impact: Socially, individuals suffering from dementia or bereavement tend to be
socially isolated. Except for people in the close circle and immediate family, they are
likely to be neglected. However, support from community and other individuals could
help people like Jacqui in coping up with their diseases and effectively help them to raise
above their health and lead a better life (Gutierrez, 2012).
1.2. Group Responses to significant life events
Individuals who suffer from different health conditions like Alzheimer’s and
Bereavement tend to receive varied responses from other individuals like their family and
friends. In addition, society too provides emotional support to these individuals. A group acts in
ways which is in the best interest of individuals suffering from these issues. They provide
immense support to these people which contributes in betterment of their condition in a
consistent manner.
Family members provide these patients with immense moral support which is essential
for the patients. For instance, parents of Jacqui would be providing her support in caring for her
daughter as well as carrying her daily tasks with utmost ease.
Another group for individuals suffering from significant life events are associates which
respond in a sympathetic way which is essential for recovery of Bereavement. A sense of
emotional support is present in their care and they undertake various other activities which could
help in recovery of these individuals from their significant life event.
In addition to this, there are various support groups that work to provide a better
healthcare and support to these individuals and could be easily contacted through social media.
They provide assistance as well as better counselling and exercising sessions which could help
Jacqui as well as others like them in recovering from Dementia as well as Bereavement.
1.3. Analysis of the impact of others in health and social care when individuals experiencing
significant life events
Various other people are associated with cases of bereavement and dementia. These
individuals are counsellors, nurses and other healthcare workers available in health and social
care organisation. They play a significant role in improving the conditions of people
experiencing these events. In case of Jacqui, the nurses as well as other healthcare workers have
2

quite an evident impact on her health and the way she coped up with it. Care units appoint
various physical as well as mental therapists who have this duty of making patients work towards
improving their condition. Moreover, they provide a healthy and supportive physical
environment which contributes in these individuals to cope up with their conditions better. Care
workers, nurses and doctors tend to their daily needs and appropriately assist them in developing
a better mental capacity which helps in recover and has a positive impact on their health. They
also tend to their food and medicine habits which further broadens the scope of betterment in
their conditions. Thus, it is essential for health and social care organisations to hire those
individuals which are competent enough to help and support individuals with significant life
events. Their support as well as healthcare provided by them are favourable in every aspect
where the treatment of diseases like Alzheimer’s and Bereavement is concerned (Bell, 2013).
TASK 2
Covered In PPT
TASK 3
Covered In PPT
CONCLUSION
Thus, it is concluded that significant life events are required to be paid attention to and
patients suffering from the same must be effectively supported. It is crucial to determine the
impact of these events on individuals which would help in developing appropriate strategies to
support. Moreover, Group responses and impact of others are necessary to deliver proper
healthcare to these individuals. It is essential to evaluate the effectiveness of organisation
policies and procedures in supporting individuals. In addition to this, it is also important that
suitability of external sources be analysed and evaluated. Lastly. Possible organisational
responses along with personal reflection and appropriate recommendations are necessary to
improve the amount of healthcare provided by an organisation to support individuals suffering
from significant life events.
3

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Bell, K. M., 2013. Supporting Childbearing Families Through Infertility. International Journal of
Childbirth Education. 28(3).
Bucciol, A. and Zarri, L., 2013. Financial risk aversion and personal life history.
Gutierrez, K. M., 2012. Experiences and needs of families regarding prognostic communication
in an intensive care unit: supporting families at the end of life. Critical Care Nursing
Quarterly. 35(3). pp.299-313.
Powell, T. M. and Bui, T., 2016. Supporting social and emotional skills after a disaster: Findings
from a mixed methods study. School Mental Health. 8(1) pp.106-119.
Ucbasaran, D., 2018. Life after business failure: The process and consequences of business
failure for entrepreneurs. Journal of Management.39(1). pp.163-202.
4