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 live, 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 had a 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?
- Strategies to enhance the quality of life for the older adult couple:
- Engage in social activities: Encourage them to join social clubs or organizations that cater to their interests, such as senior centers, book clubs, or hobby groups.
- Seek out cultural and community events: Encourage them to participate in local events, festivals, and cultural activities to stay connected with their heritage and meet new people.
- Explore volunteer opportunities: Help them find volunteer work that aligns with their skills and interests, such as tutoring, mentoring, or assisting at local nonprofits. This will provide a sense of purpose and social interaction.
- Pursue continuing education: Encourage them to take classes or workshops in subjects they are passionate about. Many community centers and colleges offer programs specifically designed for older adults.
- Stay physically active: Encourage regular exercise tailored to their abilities, such as walking, swimming, or yoga. They can join exercise classes designed for older adults or engage in activities like gardening or dancing.
- Community resources they can utilize:
- Senior centers: These centers often provide a range of services and activities for older adults, such as health screenings, educational programs, social events, and support groups.
- Local libraries: Libraries offer various resources, including book clubs, lectures, computer classes, and cultural events that can help them stay engaged and connected.
- Community organizations: Encourage them to get involved with organizations that support older adults, such as Meals on Wheels, senior volunteer programs, or advocacy groups.
- Religious and faith-based communities: They can explore opportunities within their church or other religious organizations for social engagement, volunteering, and support.
- Actions the daughter and her family can take to address the feelings of isolation:
- Plan regular family activities: Schedule dedicated time for family dinners or outings, ensuring quality time together.
- Involve the older couple in their children’s activities: Encourage the grandchildren to involve their grandparents in school or extracurricular events, such as attending sports games, concerts, or school performances.
- Foster intergenerational connections: Encourage interactions between the older couple and their grandchildren, such as storytelling, teaching skills, or engaging in shared hobbies.
- Facilitate social connections: Help the older couple connect with other families or individuals in the neighborhood by organizing gatherings, potlucks, or game nights.
- Explore joint hobbies: Encourage the older couple to explore hobbies or interests that they can share with their daughter’s family, such as cooking, gardening, or crafts.
- Health promotion activities for a healthy lifestyle:
- Regular medical check-ups: Encourage them to schedule routine check-ups with their primary care physician and other necessary specialists to address any health concerns.
- Balanced diet and nutrition: Advocate for a healthy eating plan with a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and limited processed foods. Consider involving them in meal planning and cooking together.
- Physical activity: Encourage regular exercise tailored to their abilities and preferences, aiming for a combination of aerobic, strength, and flexibility exercises.
- Preventive measures: Ensure they are up to date with vaccinations, screenings, and preventive health measures recommended for their age, such as flu shots, mammograms, and colonoscopies.
- Medication management: Assist them in organizing their medications, scheduling refills, and understanding proper dosage and potential side effects. Consider exploring medication management apps or pill organizers.
- Mental and emotional well-being: Encourage engagement in activities that promote mental stimulation, such as puzzles, reading, or learning new skills. Support their emotional well-being by fostering social connections and addressing any signs of depression or anxiety.