CASE STUDY: An Older Immigrant Couple: Mr. and Mrs. Arahan
Mr. and Mrs. Arahan, an older couple in their seventies, have been living with their oldest daughter,
her husband of 15 years, and their two children, ages 12 and 14. They all live in a middle-income
neighborhood in a suburb of a metropolitan city. Mr. and Mrs. Arahan are both college educated and
worked full-time while they were in their native country. In addition, Mr. Arahan, the only offspring
of wealthy parents, inherited a substantial amount of money and real estate. Their daughter came to
the United States as a registered nurse and met her husband, a drug company representative. The
older couple moved to the United States when their daughter became a U.S. citizen and petitioned
them as immigrants. Since the couple was facing retirement, they welcomed the opportunity to come
to the United States.
The Arahans found life in the United States different from that in their home country, but their
adjustment was not as difficult because both were healthy and spoke English fluently. Most of their
time was spent taking care of their two grandchildren and the house, As the grandchildren grew older,
the older couple found that they had more spare time. The daughter and her husband advanced in
their careers and spent a great deal more time at their jobs. There were few family dinners during
the week. On weekends, the daughter, her husband, and their children socialized with their own
friends. The couple began to feel isolated and longed for a more active life.
Mr. and Mrs. Arahan began to think that perhaps they should return to the home country, where
they still had relatives and friends. However, political and economic issues would have made it
difficult for them to live there. Besides, they had become accustomed to the way of life in the United
States with all the modern conveniences and abundance of goods that were difficult to obtain in their
country. However, they also became concerned that they might not be able to tolerate the winter
months and that minor health problems might worsen as they aged. They wondered who would take
care of them if they became very frail and where they would Ilive, knowing that their daughter had
only saved money for their grandchildren’s college education. They expressed their sentiments to
their daughter, who became very concerned about how her parents were feeling.
This older couple had been attending church on a regular basis, but had never been active in other
church-related activities. The church bulletin announced the establishment of parish nursing with
two retired registered nurses as volunteers. The couple attended the first opening of the parish clinic.
Here, they met one of the registered nurses, who hada short discussion with them about the services
offered. The registered nurse had spent a great deal of her working years as a community health nurse. She informed Mr. and Mrs. Arahan of her availability to help them resolve any health-related issues.
Reflective Questions
1. What strategies could be suggested for this older adult couple to enhance their quality of life?
2. What community resources can they utilize?
3. What can the daughter and her family do to address the feelings of isolation of the older couple?
4. What health promotion activities can ensure a healthy lifestyle for them?
Reflective Questions and Answers
1. What strategies could be suggested for this older adult couple to enhance their quality of life?
To enhance the quality of life for Mr. and Mrs. Arahan, several strategies can be suggested:
- Social Engagement: Encourage participation in community activities, clubs, or groups that align with their interests. This could include senior centers, cultural organizations, or hobby groups.
- Volunteering: Engage in volunteer work, which can provide a sense of purpose and opportunities to interact with others.
- Physical Activity: Incorporate regular physical activities such as walking, yoga, or swimming, which are suitable for their age and health status.
- Educational Opportunities: Enroll in classes or workshops, such as those offered by local community colleges or libraries, to keep their minds active and socially connected.
- Technology Use: Utilize technology to stay connected with family and friends through video calls and social media. This can also include participating in online interest groups or forums.
- Parish Nursing: Engage with the parish nursing services for social support and health-related advice, which can be a bridge to community resources and activities.
2. What community resources can they utilize?
Several community resources can be beneficial for Mr. and Mrs. Arahan:
- Senior Centers: Local senior centers often offer a variety of activities, classes, and social events.
- Libraries: Libraries provide free access to books, classes, and community events.
- Faith-based Organizations: Churches or religious organizations often have senior programs, social events, and volunteer opportunities.
- Healthcare Services: Utilize community health clinics, parish nursing, and services provided by organizations like the Area Agency on Aging for health screenings and advice.
- Transportation Services: Access to transportation services for seniors can help them attend social activities and medical appointments.
- Support Groups: Join support groups for seniors dealing with similar issues, such as aging, health concerns, or cultural adaptation.
3. What can the daughter and her family do to address the feelings of isolation of the older couple?
The daughter and her family can take several actions to help Mr. and Mrs. Arahan feel less isolated:
- Family Time: Schedule regular family dinners and outings to ensure they feel included in family activities.
- Quality Time: Encourage grandchildren to spend time with their grandparents, sharing activities that everyone enjoys.
- Communication: Regularly communicate with the parents about their feelings and involve them in decision-making processes related to family plans.
- Introduce to Social Circles: Introduce Mr. and Mrs. Arahan to the social circles of the family, including friends and neighbors.
- Plan Joint Activities: Plan activities that the whole family can participate in, such as game nights, movie nights, or weekend trips.
4. What health promotion activities can ensure a healthy lifestyle for them?
To ensure a healthy lifestyle for Mr. and Mrs. Arahan, the following health promotion activities can be recommended:
- Regular Check-ups: Ensure they have regular medical check-ups to monitor and manage any health issues.
- Balanced Diet: Promote a balanced and nutritious diet, possibly with the help of a nutritionist.
- Exercise Routine: Develop a consistent exercise routine tailored to their capabilities, which could include walking, stretching, or group exercise classes.
- Mental Health: Encourage activities that promote mental health, such as puzzles, reading, and socializing.
- Health Education: Attend health education sessions provided by community health organizations or parish nursing services.
- Preventive Measures: Ensure they receive all necessary vaccinations and preventive health screenings.
- Stress Management: Introduce stress management techniques like meditation, deep-breathing exercises, or participation in spiritual practices.
Implementing these strategies and utilizing available community resources can significantly improve the quality of life and overall well-being of Mr. and Mrs. Arahan.