Supporting Significant Life Events: Impact and Strategies Report

This report delves into the multifaceted impact of significant life events on individuals and their social networks, particularly within healthcare and social care contexts. It explores the effects of such events, like Rita's breast cancer diagnosis, on individuals, groups, and healthcare professionals. The report analyzes the effectiveness of organizational policies and procedures, such as bereavement care, in providing support. It also examines various support systems, including physical, social, psychological, and spiritual support, and assesses the suitability of external resources. Furthermore, the report discusses organizational responses to support individuals experiencing life events, reflects on personal contributions to support, and offers recommendations for enhancing support within social care organizations. The content covers aspects like the impact of life events, group responses, healthcare impacts, policy effectiveness, social network support, and external resource suitability, providing a comprehensive overview of the topic.

SUPPORTING
SIGNIFICANT LIFE
EVENT

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
Impact of significant life events on individuals..........................................................................1
Possible group responses to significant life events that occur to one of their members.............2
Impact for other in health and social care when a person experiences significant life events....2
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
Effectiveness of policies and procedures in supporting individual and social network impacted
by life events...............................................................................................................................3
How other in social network provide support to individual experiencing significant life events
.....................................................................................................................................................4
Suitability of external sources of support for those impacted by significant life events............5
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................5
Possible organisational responses to the need to support individuals experiencing life event...5
Reflect on own personal contribution to the support of individual experiencing life events.....6
Recommendations for improving the support in social care organisation for people and group
impacted by life events................................................................................................................6
CONCLUSION ...............................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Life event is referred as discrete experiences which disrupts usual activities and works of
an individual, causing changes and readjustment in lifestyle. In some situations, life events are
considered as type of stressors with chronic strains. Life events impacts an individual and social
network around them in a considerable manner (Francois, 2018). This assignment is written in
context with different life events that can hinder or provide happiness in the life of a person.
Usually these events are linked with health and life. This report will cover impact of significant
life events on an individual along with response of group and impact on other persons due to that
event. Beside this, effectiveness of organisational procedures and policies in supporting people
and their social network along with support from external sources is discussed. At last,
operational responses to support people with life event and reflection of own personal
contribution along with some recommendations to give support to people facing life events is
mentioned.
TASK 1
Impact of significant life events on individuals
Life events can posse either a negative or positive effect on the lifestyle of a person.
These events can take place in any form and exerts a prominent influence over individual and
other persons which surround impacted individual. Hence, it is very important for these
individuals to deal with life events in a proper manner so that their negative impact can be
reduced. Rita passed away at the age of 84 years and she used to live in a small sheltering house
which is manage by carers. Three month before death, Rita was diagonalised with Breast cancer.
It was a significant event in her life. Rita was an old lady which do not live with family and
news of suffering from breast cancer was a big shock for her. In case of Rita, breast cancer has a
very negative impact on her she feel exhausted all the time and due to this tiredness, it was very
difficult for her to sleep at night. Due to the disease, she use to feel a lot of pain but as she had
lived enough life, Rita didn't want to get treatment.
Cancer has made her depressed and her health starts deteriorating significantly. This
condition has impacted her mental state too. Rita use to feel very uncertain. For example, In her
mind she always thinks that it is her last day and she is going to die soon. Due to it, this life event
causes a lot of pain and discomfort in her life. Because of breast cancer, Rita faces high
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infection, vomiting, nausea and her behaviour also changes. As a person can not fully hide their
emotions, she use to cry a lot in pain but hiding these emotions from others have made her lost
and alienated from her friends and carers (Hutchison, 2018).
Possible group responses to significant life events that occur to one of their members
Breast cancer do not impacts only a single individual but it also effects other persons
surrounding them like their family, friends and guardians. Due to this disease, a person is
impacted both negatively and positively. As friends and family of patients gives them love,
support and care, it makes them happy that someone care about their life and health. But in some
cases, family and friends of patients started avoiding them and leave them alone. This situations
acts as a mental shock for patient due to which individual feels isolated and consider themselves
as a burden. In case of Rita, her breast cancer affects every person surrounding her. As she stops
eating properly and feel depressed most of the time, her best friend sue was very tensed. Due to
this, sue feels emotional and mental pain. Because of disease, Rita became more dependent on
her carers, which was very challenging.
Due to illness, other eight residents in home shelter also get impacted and feel sad by
remembering old days when they all use to chat with her, get together for bingo, doing
gardening, walking in park etc. As Rita has denied treatment, carers in shelter house has
engaged themselves in taking her care but sometimes they feel frustrated due to extra burden and
work (Paige and et.al., 2017). Beside this, hard task for Sue and other friends of Rita is to
communicate with her and ask her about her desires so that she do not feel lonely in her last time.
Hence, it can be stated that during such event, persons surrounding Rita had given her social
support which lessens her pain to some extent. Group of people surrounding Rita empathize her
so that she can openly talk about her suffering and illness
Impact for other in health and social care when a person experiences significant life events
It has been observed that Breast cancer patients have been given very good care in social
care and healthcare units due to which patients feel happy and recovers at a fast rate. Due to
breast cancer, people faces high bacterial infection which can spread to further body if not
treated in a proper manner. In this respect, staff and professionals in Healthcare units are
properly trained so that complex health problems of patients can be resolved in a proper manner.
In case of disease like cancer, doctor and nurses in healthcare sectors builds an emotional
attachment with the patient due to which their demise can acts as a big shock. In this way, it can
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be said that these significant life changing events can impacts heath and social care persons in a
considerable manner (Prendeville and Kinsella, 2019).
Patients of cancer require different therapies so that their suffering and pain can be
reduced. Physical environment for patient is assessed and care is given to them so that their daily
work can be performed in a proper manner. But due to increased work, caretakers are do not get
time for their personal life and feels disturbance in their mental, physical and social health. In
case of Rita, she had not taken any treatment due to which healthcare services are not get
impacted by her disease and suffering. But in case of social care, caretakers of Rita in home
shelter were considerably impacted. Cancer is a dangerous disease and they were aware that it is
not possible to save Rita. It has became very difficult for the carers to deal with pain and
depression which was faced by concerned patient. Due to this, sometimes they feel pity for Rita
and other time they feel frustrated due to increased work. Hence, it can be said that due to illness
of Rita, social care providers were also get impacted (Doran, 2015).
TASK 2
Effectiveness of policies and procedures in supporting individual and social network impacted by
life events
There are various organisations which provide full care and support to the concerned
patients and their families. Each organisation have their own procedures and policies so that they
can deal and tackle with patient in a desired manner. There are different healthcare and voluntary
organisations that raises high awareness for people which have lost their loved ones and feel
isolated. In case of bereavement, there are some policies formulated by government one of them
is bereavement care 2001 (CHAPPELL, 2016). Good care and love is given to the people which
are facing a significant life event. In case of Sandra, she has lost her husband which was also her
best friend due to heart attack. Doctors have tried to save her husband but they fail in doing so.
This was a life changing event for her due to which Sandra faced family bereavement. To reduce
her pain, she gets counselling from Rebecca who is a grief counsellor. Rebecca gives Sandra a
proper care and time to open up her sorrow, fears and feelings. In context with Mike,
organisational procedures and policies are very effective and provides them medical certificate of
cause of demise and offer transport service from place of demise to the place of burial.
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Care verifications are done for all individuals that are related with person facing
significant life event. Sandra was taken care by a grief counsellor as care in the cases of
Bereavement is not restricted with age. Individuals which have lost their family or loved ones
feels better after getting treatment and this procedure is for a short time period. In case of Sandra,
she use to meet Rebecca continuously for two months and remained in touch for 18 years.
According to the policies, if a person is facing mental and emotional issues, proper guidance will
be given to that person so that they can they can overcome their grief and live a social life
(Newman and Newman, 2017).
How other in social network provide support to individual experiencing significant life events
Different kind of support and obligation is given by social groups and systems to the
person which has faced a social event. To resolve the problem or issues of victim person, other
persons can adopt different cooperative methods. Main reason behind it us to provide consistent
administration to persons which are facing difficult events. Below are discussed some ways
through which people surrounding Sandra can reduce her grief:
 Physical support: In this kind of support, people surrounding Sandra can adopt all those
strategies that will help her in engaging other activities so that she can stop thinking
about Mike and their memories. In this regard, Sandra's sister suggests her to take
counselling session from Rebecca which is a grief counsellor along with other therapies
to gain physical support. This will benefits Sandra in getting out of depression and
anxiety due to which she will be able to liver her life in a proper manner.
 Social care support: There are different organisations such as NHS which can provide
social support to Sandra by giving proper care and love. This will help her in getting out
of isolation so that she can interact with the family and friends in a proper manner.
 Psychological support: This support is given to Sandra by Rebecca which is her grief
counsellor. By talking with Rebecca, Sandra feel comfortable in opening up her sadness
and grief due to which she became able to get out of her depression. After these sessions,
Sandra start feeling that there is fun in family and friends gather and she needs to act
strong so that her two toddlers can live a happy life (Randall, 2019).
 Spiritual support: Family of Mike and Sandra can provide spiritual support to her by
sharing her pain and giving her strength to live life with full of confidence and happiness.
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They support her in thinking positively and interacting with her friends. Sandra also
started doing meditation and yoga so that she can feel calm and relaxed.
Suitability of external sources of support for those impacted by significant life events
Different external source use various methods to support the person which is facing a
negative life event. Main motive of these external resources is to care the patient that is suffering
from various diseases and illness so that they can feel motivated while getting treatment. With
the help of external sources, Sandra can adjust her feelings, body and soul so that she can live a
normal life again. External sources which can help Sandra in overcoming the death of her
husband is Give & take treatments, training support, screening and assessment (O'Neill, 2018).
 Give and take treatments: Different kind of sessions and therapies such as homeopathy,
acupuncture and needle therapy will benefits Sandra in increasing their energy level so
that she can fight issues of anxiety and depression in a proper manner. But having blind
trust on these treatments can make Sandra dependent due to which she will feel nervous
while representing herself in front of society.
 Training and support: In these sessions, patients like Sandra which are physically fine
but mentally unstable are treated so that they can feel calm and comfortable. These
sessions can help in training Sandra so that she can overcome the fear of future for her
children, fears related with finance and income and fear of loneliness. By overcoming
these fears, Sandra can became an independent single mother.
TASK 3
Possible organisational responses to the need to support individuals experiencing life event
Different organisations have varied response for a person that is facing a significant life
event and reaction of these organisations defines the attitude of patients towards their services.
First response is expected from support services and government agencies that will provide the
guidance to the victim patient along with counselling that is required. In context with UK, there
are different organisations like Cancer research and NHS that adopt different strategies so that
patients suffering from cancer and mental stress can be treated in a proper manner. Another
response will be fast assessment of situation so that patients can be treated and care at right place
(Corr, Corr and Doka, 2018). It will be done by practitioners, doctors and other staff of hospital.
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By assessing the needs of patients, good care can be given to them. This will benefits the patient
in fast recovery due to which they became capable to live a happy and comfortable life ahead.
Third kind of response is from the side of care giving organisations such as ONS, Healthcare UK
that provides supportive care and treatment to the patients which are facing difficult situation or
disease in their life. Also, these organisations aims to provide psychological support to the
suffering patients and their family members. These organisations will offer daily treatment
needs, support services so that patient can feel comfortable while receiving treatment from them
(Haynes, Smith and Hunsley, 2018).
Reflect on own personal contribution to the support of individual experiencing life events
In today's scenario I have seen there are many patience who are not willing to take
treatment for longer duration of time. For such purpose there are many people who refuse to do
their treatments as they feel like they will be bot alive if they have an appropriate treatments ft
their illness. Moreover, I have determined that there are many people who dose not want to die
they want that their treatments should best so that they cab live alive for longer period of time.
For such instance they are growing for high class hospitals so that their treatments are taken into
consideration with profession and expertise doctors. Moreover, people must take an appropriate
decision weather they want to take treatments for their illnesses or they want to have natural
death as there is no such insurance that after treatments people will be alive. Apart from theses
many people are there who enjoy their last days in fun loving way they enjoy their time with
their relatives and friends so that they do not have any kind of burned in their life. Moreover,
their members also try to fulfil their last wishes and needed so that they can feel thank full in
their life that they have every they want to have with their family. Apart from I have examine
many people pre plane their funnel activities as their wish so that they peaceful and effective
death.
Recommendations for improving the support in social care organisation for people and group
impacted by life events
From the above case scenario it has been recommended that their are many people who
have different perception and view towards their health issues and problems. For such purpose
there are certain recommendation and suggestion that are necessary for this case scenario which
are determine below:
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 Herein, each and every individual have an right to decide about their life for such
purpose they have full rights to decide their funnel ceremony according t6o their last
wish.
 People have their own choice to take decision if they want to live their life on medicine
basis and have natural cause of death or else have take proper treatments on regular basis
so that they live for longer duration of time.
 Moreover, people must take an appropriate decision weather they want to take treatments
for their illnesses or they want to have natural death as there is no such insurance that
after treatments people will be alive.
Thus, the above mention are some of the recommendation to the case scenario as each and every
individual have rights to take their own decision. As they have full authority to live their life as
per their wish and control.
CONCLUSION
From above mentioned report, it has been concluded that breast cancer is a dangerous
disease that can take the life of a person. This is the reason this disease is considered as a
significant change event. Beside individual, this change event also impacts other people which
are around the patient. Different people have different response towards the suffering patient,
some people give them support and other people escape from them. Organisational policies are
very effective for patients so that they can live a happy life. Other people in social network can
aid help to support those persons that are suffering from unexpected event. Organisations give
different kind of response towards needs of individuals that are facing difficult event.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
CHAPPELL, A., 2016. CHAPTER THREE SUPPORTING RESILIENCE THROUGH
ACTIVE AGEING ANNE CHAPPELL AND ELAINE WELSH. Ageing, Physical
Activity, Recreation and Wellbeing. p.43.
Corr, C. A., Corr, D. M. and Doka, K. J., 2018. Death & dying, life & living. Cengage learning.
Doran, J., 2015. Applied asset management supporting corporate objectives. Asset Management
& Maintenance Journal. 28(4). p.16.
Francois, S., 2018. Supporting African American Mothers following a Stillbirth: Relationship
Quality Matters. International Journal of Childbirth Education. 33(4).
Haynes, S. N., Smith, G. T. and Hunsley, J. D., 2018. Scientific foundations of clinical
assessment. Routledge.
Herrick, E. and Redman-White, B., 2018. Supporting Children and Young People with Anxiety:
A Practical Guide. Routledge.
Hutchison, E. D., 2018. Dimensions of human behavior: The changing life course. Sage
Publications.
Newman, B. M. and Newman, P. R., 2017. Development through life: A psychosocial approach.
Cengage Learning.
O'Neill, T., 2018. Perspectives of parents of children with cerebral palsy on the supports,
challenges, and realities of integrating AAC into everyday life. The Pennsylvania State
University.
O'rand, A., 2018. Age and inequality: Diverse pathways through later life. Routledge.
Paige, M. and et.al., 2017. The Trauma-Competent Clinician: A Qualitative Model of
Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes Supporting Adlerian-Based Trauma Psychotherapy.
The Journal of Individual Psychology. 73(1). pp.8-37.
Prendeville, P. and Kinsella, W., 2019. The role of grandparents in supporting families of
children with autism spectrum disorders: A family systems approach. Journal of autism
and developmental disorders. 49(2). pp.738-749.
Randall, J., 2019. Supporting treatment decision making for older adults facing allogeneic
hematopoietic cell transplantation. Journal of psychosocial oncology, pp.1-4.
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