Health and Social Care: Supporting Individuals Through Life Events

This report delves into the multifaceted impact of significant life events on individuals, encompassing various stages of life and challenging circumstances such as illness, divorce, and domestic violence. It examines the roles of family, friends, and communities in providing support, as well as the effectiveness of organizational policies and procedures within health and social care settings. The report analyzes specific case scenarios, including the experiences of individuals in sheltered housing and victims of domestic violence, to illustrate the importance of tailored support and the impact of both internal and external resources. Furthermore, it assesses the suitability of external support systems, such as specialist counseling and therapy, in helping individuals navigate difficult life transitions and promotes the adoption of effective practices within the health and social care sector to ensure the well-being of those affected by significant life events.

Supporting Significant Life
Events

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Impact of significant life events on individuals...............................................................1
1.2 Possible group responses to significant life events..........................................................2
1.3 Impact for others when an individual experiences significant life events........................2
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
2.1 Effectiveness of organizational policies and procedures in supporting individuals.........3
2.2 Others in social networks provides support to individuals...............................................4
2.3 Suitability of external sources of support for individuals affected by significant life events
................................................................................................................................................5
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................6
3.1 Analysing possible organizational responses to support individuals...............................6
3.2 Reflection of own personal contributions in experiencing significant life events
(Reflective account)................................................................................................................7
3.3 Recommendations for improving the support available in health and social care
organisation............................................................................................................................7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
At every stage of life like childhood, adolescence, adulthood, old age and death, people
faces various types of events such as birth, wedding, divorce, loss of job, mental illness or
demise etc. Basically, life events are the major changes in circumstances which affect person's
living (Lin, Dean and Ensel, 2013). The present report helps to understand the concept about
significant life events. Moreover, it will help to evaluate the impact of life events on human
being and their social networks. Further, the study also helps to understand the support available
for individuals experiencing the momentous life events. It also analyses the responses made by
health and social care services to support individuals experiencing significant life events (Testa,
Lesser and Brandt, 2012).
TASK 1
1.1 Impact of significant life events on individuals
The life events of individuals such as birth of children, marriage, divorce, spouse's death,
unemployment and old age have significant impact on occupation, relationship and well being of
individuals (Hovens and Zitman, 2012). As per the given case scenario, Sylvia was passed away
in the age of 84 years because she was having the problem of breast cancer. For the past 7 years,
she was living in small sheltered house along with her friend Robin who was 40 years old. Both
Robin and Sylvia were friends with other 8 residents as well. In that sheltered housing project,
carers are staffed for different work shifts. Through the scenario, it can be evaluated that Sylvia
and other members are not living with their own families. It is due to old age, their families
refuse to take care of them. In that age, person requires care, support, attention and love of their
belongings (Testa, Lesser and Brandt, 2012). All residents of sheltered housing project were
enjoying there because they accepted that they could not stay alone at their homes without
family members because various types of ailments develops with the old age. To spend time,
they chat with each other, engaged in outdoor activities and got together for bingo. In this
context, the outdoor activities also include gardening and taking walks in parks to stay fit and
healthy (Kaniasty and Jakubowska, 2014). Three months ago, Sylvia was diagnosed with breast
cancer but she refused to take any medical treatment. The medical professionals and carers
respected her wishes. Through this incident of case study, it can be analysed that life events
gives significant impact on Sylvia because she was not living with her family which explained
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that somewhere she was feeling lonely. Sensation of isolation shows impact on her well-being
because it might be one reason that she refused to take medical treatment for her breast cancer
(Milovanov, Lunsky and Weiss, 2013).
1.2 Possible group responses to significant life events
Groups such as family, friends, communities and colleagues play vital role in providing
support to individuals who are affected adversely by various life events. Individuals who
experienced such life events are supported and handled by these groups with the changes that
occur from certain situations (Milovanov, Lunsky and Weiss, 2013). As per the given case
scenario, it can be evaluated that all the residents of shelter housing project live with each other
and spend their time together. Rather than living in loneliness, they prefer to carry out the tasks
in groups like they engage themselves in outdoor activities such as taking care of communal
garden and get together for bingo. Further, to stay healthy in old age, they prefer to take walks
in park (Lin, Dean and Ensel, 2013). Through this, it can be said that in life of Sylvia, group
responses plays an important and positive role because with the help of other residents, she was
overcoming with the feeling of isolation. Not only Sylvia, but other eight residents also had
optimistic impact of group responses on their well being (Jones, Hillier and Comfort, 2009). In
shelter home, all residents and carers were working in partnership because carers have the
responsibility to provide concern services to all members. This case study describes positive and
healthy relationship with other members of group which provides them support in respect to life
events (Kaniasty and Jakubowska, 2014). In this context, life events can be evaluated as a
discrete experience which usually disrupts their life and well being.
1.3 Impact for others when an individual experiences significant life events
In health and social care, when an individual experiences significant life events, it gives
impact on them as-well-as on others because through these events, life of individual and
surrounding people changes (Billingsley and Lang, 2012). For example, in care organization, if a
patient is suffering from mental illness, then there are major chances that his family leaves him
alone. In this condition, carers and health care professionals have the responsibility to provide
care services and take care of him in the best possible manner (Lin, Dean and Ensel, 2013). In
this context, persons require support from both family and professionals but if proper care and
support is not provided to them, then it could give negative impact on patient's life. There are
chances that life events could give negative response like depression and stress (Lock, 2013).
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These adverse responses of individual affect the life of surrounding people as well. According to
given case scenario, the carers have prime responsibility to take care of Sylvia and other
residents (Coughlan, Cronin and Ryan, 2013). Health care professionals diagnosed Sylvia with
the disease of breast cancer. In this context, they offer treatment services to her but Sylvia
expressed her feeling of disinterest regarding the treatment to cure the breast cancer. In this
regard, the health care professionals, carers and other members give respect to her decision. On
this basis, doctors and care workers did not plan any routine (Testa, Lesser and Brandt, 2012).
This describes that in health and social care sector, professionals and carers are required to
respect the opinions of patients and also they have to treat them in dignified manner by
providing the best care services (Jones, Hillier and Comfort, 2009).
TASK 2
2.1 Effectiveness of organizational policies and procedures in supporting individuals
Effective organizational policies and procedures provide support to individuals and their
social networks that are affected by significant life events. In health and social care sector, there
are essentially required to develop effective policies and procedures which further should be
implemented at care organizations in respect to safeguarding the rights of patients (Bryant,
2012). The successful organizational policies and procedures help to provide quality care
services and support to the caring roles and service users. The policies followed by health units
also help to maintain the confidentiality in effective manner (Jones, Hillier and Comfort, 2009).
As per the given case scenario of domestic violence, Stella is a main victim and she had been
gone through physical, mental, sexual and financial abuse by her husband. As per the case, she
also had three children (Lin, Dean and Ensel, 2013). One day, when the pain and abuse was
unbearable, she lost her patience towards everything. The neighbours raised the concern and
police were called at her house. Stella was forced to leave the house. At that time, she found the
support from one social care organization ‘Save the family’ after her stay at two refuges in
Chester and Liverpool. The organization ‘Save the family’ provides the care and support to
Stella and her three children with the age of 4, 9 and 11 years old (Kaniasty and Jakubowska,
2014). It was found that social organization provided both financial and mental support to Stella.
Care takers and staff members also offered support in both care and emotional way that helped
Stella to ease the pain which was present in her heart (Coughlan, Cronin and Ryan, 2013). In
this domestic violence case, social care organization ‘Save the family’ plays an important role. It
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could be evaluated that this supporting firm possesses effective organizational policies and
procedures in supporting the individuals who are affected by the significant life events. In this
case, social organization helped the Stella to boost morale and confidence in her while handling
the situation of her life in which one life event gives negative impact (Aveyard and Sharp,
2013). In this respect, there are various types of legislation and regulations that are present
which should be adopted by the care organization such as:
Equality Act 2010 On the basis of Equality Act 2010, ‘Save the family’ has to
equally treat all types of people without any discrimination
on the grounds of race, religion, class or gender.
Data Protection Act
1998
Further, cited social organization is also required to take
care of personal data of service users on the basis of Data
Protection Act 1998.
2.2 Others in social networks provides support to individuals
Individual, who is passing through a critical phase of life by experiencing the negative
impact of significant life events, requires support from surrounding people such as family,
friends and colleagues etc. (Chretien and Kind, 2013). Support and care from others helps the
individual to overcome from their pain and cope up in positive manner during critical situations.
Assistance can be offered to individuals in emotional, mental, or physical manner. As per the
case scenario, ‘Save the Family’ provides support to Stella on the basis of organizational
policies and procedures. Care and support factors play an important role in the life of individuals
who experienced significant life events (Steelman, 2016). Caring roles and staff members
provide emotional support to Stella which helped her to feel happy again because she was
mentally sad. With the help of emotional support, mental state of Stella started to overcome
from bad situation (Coughlan, Cronin and Ryan, 2013). Support from others help her to become
more confident which was essentially required in individual after facing the domestic violence
conditions. Stella also attends one Freedom Programs course of 10 weeks. By attending this,
Stella was now able to talk about her relationship with others and experience about suffering
from domestic violence. With the help of support and care from ‘Save the Family’, Stella begins
her life with new and fresh starting (Chahal and Eldabi, 2011). Further, in this situation, social
organization also provides physical and financial support to Stella by providing housing and
education facility to Stella and her children. So, with the help of all these points, it can be said
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that support from others plays an important role in the life of individuals to overcome from
negative impact of significant life events (Fergusson, Boden and Mulder, 2014).
2.3 Suitability of external sources of support for individuals affected by significant life events
The presence of external sources of support can help an individual in positive manner
who are affected by significant life events. In this context, these sources can get assistance from
specialist, counsellor and therapist within health and social care sector, agencies or framework in
which they work (Lin, Dean and Ensel, 2013). All these factors of external sources play a
significant role in offering support and care to individuals who have experienced the impact of
crucial life events. To bring positive outcomes from patients, health care professionals use
various methods like therapies, counselling methods and medical treatments (Six steps to
improve support in bereavement, 2014).
As per the case scenario, Stella attended the course ‘Program of Freedom’ for 10 weeks.
In this program, therapist had modified her viewpoint and helped in discussing her issues with
other individuals by whom she can describe what she had suffered and helped her see the
commonalities with other women’s stories (Billingsley and Lang, 2012). Further, these
organizations had also provided her financial help by which she can deal with her housing issues
and other problems. At the end of the program, she was confident and ready to face outer world
with more positive approach. In addition to this, she gets legal help by authorities through which
her debt is handled by her husband after leaving the home (Macdonald, 2013).
Organization such as Dementia Association provides information to the individuals by
which they get aware about their rights regarding such kind of acts. Along with such
information, these organizations also provide suitable advice to the individuals by which they
can deal with their problems in an effective manner (Fergusson, Boden and Mulder, 2014). To
the disabled people, special help is provided by the organization such as the Deaf Society and
the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB). These entities make necessary
arrangements for the treatment of individuals (Billingsley and Lang, 2012).
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TASK 3
3.1 Analysing possible organizational responses to support individuals
In situation where treatment of services users will be more painful and instead of this
they do not want to live anymore. In such situations, following are the possible organizational
responses to the needs of supporting individual: Applying policies and procedures: For severe diseases, standard policies and procedures
will be applied by the organization. In this, viewpoint of individual will be determined
whether they want to continue their treatment or not (Coughlan, Cronin and Ryan, 2013).
Their viewpoints will be discussed with their family members and consent form will be
signed as per their decision. Critical incident responses: In critical situations such as accident where individuals are
not able to provide their consent, discussions will be made with their relatives (Byrd and
Clayton, 2015). In such situations, fewer formalities will be made because delay in
decision can cause severe risk to the life of patient. Support for social networks: This situation will be discussed with their family members
in order to create support for them in social network (Stuart, 2014). By this approach,
individuals will be able to meet their near ones in order to attain good memories in their
last type (Milovanov, Lunsky and Weiss, 2013). Respect for rituals: Organization will respect rituals of the individuals by making
flexibility in their policies and procedures. They can help patients in fulfilling their
wishes by making medical arrangements for them (Fergusson, Boden and Mulder, 2014).
Further, friendly and lenient behaviour will be adopted so that they can communicate in
better manner to describe their wishes.
 Personal care: Appropriate arrangements will be made by health care entities in
accordance with their choice. If individual discontinue his/her treatment then in that case,
proper medicines will be provided to reduce their pain (Fizazi, Sternberg and de Bono,
2014). Further, in situation of continuation of treatment their physical and mental
condition will be considered by service providers for better treatment.
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3.2 Reflection of own personal contributions in experiencing significant life events (Reflective
account)
Last year, I was working as health care assistant in renowned social care entity. In my
service period, I was provided with the similar case in which old age patient was suffering from
the last stage of cancer. In this treatment, chemotherapy sessions were quite painful for the
patient in accordance with his age. Prior to his therapy sessions, entire consequences were
discussed with the patient and his family members (Milovanov, Lunsky and Weiss, 2013). His
family members decided to stop treatment and request hospital management to discharge him so
that he can spend more time with the family members and per groups. In this aspect, I had
suggested my supervisor to provide him treatment at his residence by appointing a permanent
nurse and continuous visits by the health care experts (Bryant, 2012). In this manner, treatment
could be continued and patient will be able to live near to his family members. My suggestion
was considered in this case and medical services were made available at the home of patient.
The remaining treatments were supported by medicines in order to reduce the pain and support
him to lead a better life (Kaniasty and Jakubowska, 2014).
3.3 Recommendations for improving the support available in health and social care organisation
In order to make improvement in the support available at health and social care
organisation for individuals and their social networks when affected by significant life events,
following recommendations can be considered (Fizazi, Sternberg and de Bono, 2014).: Better policies and procedures: For better support, organizations should make
modification in their policies and procedures by considering current situation of the
patients (Kaniasty and Jakubowska, 2014). Management of health care organizations
should provide complete information to the patients and their acquaintances at early
stage so that they can make better decisions. This information must be supported by
consequences in each option. Proper policies should be formed in order to take their
consent regarding choice of treatment (Jones, Hillier and Comfort, 2009). Organizational culture and management style: Management of health care organizations
is required to develop friendly culture instead to strict medical environment. With this
approach, service users will feel better and happy during the treatment (Milovanov,
Lunsky and Weiss, 2013). Further, management style should be flexible as per the
convenience of patient so that they can co-operate the hospital staff.
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 Accommodation and other facilities: Health care organizations can provide facilities
related to accommodation to the relatives of patients to make them feel better. Further,
proper arrangements should be made for food as per their wish and by considering their
health and hygiene (Testa, Lesser and Brandt, 2012). Individuals should be provided with
the medical staffs who want to continue their treatment at their residence so they can stay
with near ones in their end time (Jones, Hillier and Comfort, 2009).
CONCLUSION
In accordance with the present study, conclusion can be drawn that person who are
affected by significant life events must be treated and supported in a proper way by social care
workers and surrounding people. Further, health care entities are required to use appropriate
policies and procedures by considering norms such as confidentiality, bereavement and access to
specialist services. They should use flexible policies which can be modified for better treatment
of service users.
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