The Stresses on Sandra’s Middle-Aged Sisters and Their Families
Caring for the loved one is rewarding as it is a core value, which everyone wishes to provide. However, at times, it can be daunting and straining even to the most resilient people. Sandra’s middle-aged sisters experience both physical and emotional stress due to the overwhelming responsibilities. First, the sisters are extremely fatigued due to the long hours of taking care of their sister with no shifts of emotions and roles. The results of long and engaging roles are social isolation and a lack of choice in being a caregiver (Semenova & Stadtlander, 2016). Sandra’s sisters also struggle in balancing their caregiver roles and jobs. Since the caregiving responsibility is demanding, the sisters likely reduced their number of working hours, which affects their salaries, leading to financial difficulties. Although the sisters might not realize how the caregiving role affects them, too much strain and stress harm one’s health as an individual is likely to experience anxiety or depression.
Resources Available to Manage and Support Sandra’s Sisters while Caring for Their Dying Sister
Since the stresses of caring for a dying loved one can be overwhelming, the caregiving family members need support to manage it. One of the most crucial help Sandra’s sisters need is palliative care to provide quality care and comfort to the patient. The sisters might not be having technical experience in managing symptoms such as pain, shortness of breath, and the side effects of medication. As a result, a qualified clinician or physician can be of significant help. Agencies such as Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) can assist the family by sending qualified practitioners. Even though palliative care is usually offered in clinics and hospitals, arrangements can be made for Sandra to receive it at home. Another essential resource, which is usually overlooked is the visitations of friends and family members. Family and friends are vital in providing spiritual and emotional support to the relatives of a dying patient. Being present physically and listening, holding hands, and talking with the family members is soothing and can ease their stresses. The act of visiting and even sitting quietly or sharing memories with the family members can as well be reassuring (Keeley, 2017). Thus, having professional support and connection with family and friends are two major resources available for Sandra’s sisters to manage the stresses of caregiving.
Sandra’s Feelings about Dependency and Loss of Autonomy
After developing several complications related to the course of their illness, including metastasis to the lungs, Sandra abruptly lost her autonomy. Since she could no longer work, Sandra entirely depended on her sisters for almost everything. As a result, Sandra felt a loss of independence as she was confined to the house. In addition, Sandra felt burdensome to her sisters, an idea that compelled her to seek external help from the Visiting Nurse Association (VNA). Even after the VNA nurse examined her condition and recommended some interventions, Sandra was still overwhelmed by the sense of hopelessness, powerlessness, and helplessness. The thought that she has suddenly turned from an independent person to an entirely dependent one disturbs her and ca be gradually dragged her into depression (Van der Geest & Satalkar, 2019). The mindfulness of her dignity and the sudden loss of autonomy made her feel she was a nuisance and inconvenience to her sisters.
References
Keeley, M. P. (2017). Family communication at the end of life. Behavioral Sciences, NCBI Online, 7(3), 43-48.
Semenova, V., & Stadtlander, L. (2016). Death anxiety, depression, and coping in family caregivers. Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences, 10(1), 34-48.
Van der Geest, S., & Satalkar, P. (2019). Autonomy and dying: Notes about decision-making and “completed life” euthanasia in the Netherlands. Death Studies, 1-10.