Book: Coping and Self-Care

Time is moving on and Tony has been living with Alzheimer's for 10 years. He often wanders around the house, looking in presses, cupboards etc. Often stares out the window, at nothing in particular. His verbal communication skills are very poor. He has recently been more and more agitated and is not sleeping well at night. He is eating less and less. His physical care needs are increasing all the time and this care is still being provided mainly by his wife Maura. 

Having been reviewed by the Psychiatry of Later Life team, Tony has started on new medication which sometimes leaves him very sedate and other times does not seem to work at all.

Maura is feeling stressed, upset and exhausted. She keeps a brave face for Gerald when he phones. There has been some mention of long term care/nursing home care by health care professionals and this is really upsetting Maura.

1. How do you thing Maura is feeling?
2. Could Maura be experiencing grief? Why do you think so?
3. What coping strategies could Maura use to get through this time?

Post your thoughts in the Forum: Unit 5 Case Study please.