Week 11 Discussion 2

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“Late Adulthood” Program Transcript

Instructions:

Post by Day 4 a description of two developmental factors that impact late adulthood. Explain how these factors might impact emotional and psychological well-being. Then, describe a protective factor that could optimize the older adult’s health and resilience. Justify your response with references to this week’s Learning Resources and the current literature. Be specific.

Respond by Day 7 to at least two of your colleagues using one or more of the following approaches:

Select a colleague who was assigned a different client than you. Suggest at least one counseling goal or strategy he or she might use to support the health and resilience of the older adult.

Select a colleague who was assigned the same client as you. Contrast your conceptualizations of the client’s developmental factors and state of well-being.

[Martinez Family]

General Background:

The Martinez family consists of Miguel, Jeannette, Gabby, Tommy, and Christina (the adopted daughter of Jeannette’s cousin).

The family’s ethnicity is Hispanic, and both Miguel and Jeannette come from very large extended families—many of whom live in the area.

They are Seventh-Day Adventists who are very involved in their church; they both hold leadership positions in the church and attend services multiple times each week.

Presenting Issues:

It’s been over 10 years since the Martinez family lost their home and friends in the tornado, and the family is doing well.

Miguel (70) and Jeannette (72) live in a small home in the area now, and the children have remained close by.

Gabby (42) is married with two children (ages 15 and 10) and works as an office manager at a large doctors’ practice.

Christina (35) is married with three children (ages 10, 6, and 4). She is a full-time mom.

Tommy (29) is engaged to a woman he met while living in a transitional adult community for individuals with Down syndrome. He works as a production assistant at a large non-profit organization.

The extended family spends holidays and children’s birthdays together, and Jeannette often helps out with childcare for both of her daughters’ children.

Miguel and Jeannette have come to see you seeking some guidance in resolving what Jeannette calls “Miguel’s late-life crisis.” She shares that she is very content with her life right now and with the routine that goes along with it. She adds that she feels like she’s “earned” this period in her life, where she can enjoy her grandchildren, be available for Tommy if he needs her, and “finally relax a little.”

Jeannette also adds that she has always had a vision of her “golden years” to include lazy days on a front porch rocking chair, watching grandkids and sipping iced tea—unlike Miguel, who she claims is trying to “regain his long-lost youth.”

Miguel responds to this by saying that he loves his wife very much and appreciates her vision of “old age,” but he doesn’t think he is “old” yet. He tells you that they are finally in a place where they can go where they want and do as they please, but Jeannette never wants to do anything.

Miguel also shares that all of his children were a blessing, but being a parent was very hard and very draining, and he wants to have their time now. He wants to travel and to try things he’s never tried before—like skydiving. Jeannette rolls her eyes at this and claims that Miguel “just can’t accept getting old.”

[Reeves Family]

General Background:

The Reeves family consists of Lucas, John, Justin, and Emme. Lucas’ wife, Anne, left him and the children shortly after Emme was born.

The family is Caucasian and of mixed European ethnic descent.

Their faith is Protestant, although Lucas notes that they do not attend church regularly.

Lucas also shares that the he has no family in the area to help him with the children, and he often feels overwhelmed.

Presenting Issues:

It’s been a couple years since you last saw Lucas.

Lucas’ father moved in with the family shortly after Lucas’ mother passed away following a battle with cancer. Lucas asked his dad to move in with the family so his father would not be alone, but also so he could help out with Lucas’ children.

Jacob (or “Grandpa Jake” as everyone calls him) is 68 years old and has been retired for several years. Jake comes to see you at Lucas’ insistence and tells you immediately that he thinks counseling is “a bunch of hooey…no disrespect intended.” He tells you that just because he’s forgotten a few things here and there, Lucas is “all up in arms” and worried that something is wrong with Jake. He also admits that he’s “been a little moody lately” but adds that “[He’s] old – [he’s] allowed to be!” and chuckles.

Jake tells you of a recent incident in which he and Lucas “got into it a bit” over Jake’s accusation that John, his grandson, stole a book out of his room. Jake tells you that John was the only one who would have taken it, and Lucas is just covering for his son. He goes on a short tangent about Lucas’ lenient parenting and says that it wasn’t the first time something like that has happened.

While he speaks, you note that Jake refers to the table in your office as a chair and refers to Emme as “Ella.” You do not share these observations with Jake, instead validating his concerns and frustrations.

As you chat more with Jake in an effort to get to know him, you ask casual questions about his late wife—Jake’s answers are inconsistent and he seems confused when answering. He suddenly becomes uncomfortable and asks when the session will be over.

[Jeong Family]

General Background:

The Jeong family consists of Kimball (“Kim,” a physician), Meg (a nurse), Steven, Kelsey, and Joey.

The family is of Korean descent and describes themselves as “very Americanized.”

They are Christian Buddhists and embrace their faith strongly.

Both Kim’s and Meg’s extended families live within about an hour of the Jeongs, providing the family with both support and unsolicited advice.

Presenting Issues:

Kelsey is now 65 years old.

Following her difficult divorce from Jin, Kelsey struggled for a while but eventually found a niche for herself by creating an online craft supplies company. The company expanded into digital products and services and became very successful.

At this point, Kelsey works few hours, as she has hired people to work for her and run the day-to-day operations of the company. Kelsey remains the CEO but enjoys a lifestyle she calls “every person’s dream”—she travels frequently and remains very active. In fact, she is training for a masters sprint triathlon, about which she is very excited. She shares that just this past weekend she learned how to surf with her “new beau.”

She sighs a bit at this last part, and the mood turns sullen. Kelsey shares that she has been having conflicts with her daughters recently, as they do not approve of her “lifestyle.” The girls do not think it’s “proper” for her mother to date much younger men or to be “globetrotting” around all the time. They have told Kelsey that she pushes herself too hard and does not take proper care of her body.

Kelsey denies this and tells you, “Yes, I know my bones are a bit brittle and my joints a bit weak, and maybe my eyesight isn’t what it used to be…but I am going to live life while I still have it!”

She is disappointed that her girls do not understand this and wishes they were more supportive. Kelsey also shares that the girls don’t seem to judge their father, who at 68 is coaching his 10-year-old son’s soccer team (“Can you believe that?” she asks rhetorically, “His grandkids are older than his son!!”).

Kesley also shares with you that she enjoys a very active sex life, which her daughters think is appalling (“I think they are jealous!” she says). Kelsey does admit that she has a few concerns in the relationship arena, including how to maintain her sex drive and how to compensate for some of the biological changes she has experienced without “killing the mood.”

You continue to gather information about Kelsey’s present concerns and experiences and ask her what she specifically wants you to help her with. She responds, “I want to figure out how to make my girls respect me, my choices, and my life.”

[Crane Family]

General Background:

The Crane family consists of Carol, Hunter, and Olivia.

Carol is a single mother living in the inner city under very poor conditions. Although she has a job, she barely makes ends meet. She cannot afford good food, nor can she afford to live in a safer area. She currently lives in a subsidized housing development.

The family is Caucasian, of European descent, and agnostic.

Presenting Issues:

Carol is now 67 years old and is facing retirement. She has come to see you because she feels “lost” as she faces this transition.

For the past 20 years, Carol has been working for a local healthcare system and has worked her way up to the Director of Community Outreach. She feels good about her success but acknowledges that—because it came later in life—she is not well prepared financially for her retirement. She also notes that she “has no idea what [she] will do with her time” once she is no longer working every day.

Carol is divorced now, as well; she was married for about 8 years to a man she describes as “a kind man, but a mistake for me.” She shares that she never intended to grow old alone, and with the children and grandchildren living far away, she is often lonely.

Carol sighs and states, “Sometimes I just wonder what my purpose on this Earth is.”

[Anderson Family]

General Background:

The Anderson family consists of grandparents Ernie and Audrey, Jamal (diagnosed with Asperger’s disorder), Marcus, and Artesia.

Ernie and Audrey gained custody of their three grandchildren after their daughter and her husband were killed in a car accident. Their daughter and her husband— the parents of the children—had been living with them prior to the accident, as they had fallen on hard times after both parents lost their jobs and subsequently had to give up their home.

The family is African American, Southern Baptist, and very involved in their church.

Presenting Issues:

Audrey (now 72) has come to see you at her grandchildren’s insistence, following the sudden loss of Ernie.

Two months ago, Ernie passed away from complications following a massive heart attack. Audrey has not been sleeping or eating well and rarely leaves the house. Her grandchildren are very worried about her, although Audrey insists she just misses Ernie and is doing fine.

She tells you that it helps to know that her grandchildren are happy and healthy, and she enjoys the pictures of the great-grandchildren that they send her on a regular basis. Audrey wishes that her grandchildren and their families lived closer, but she understands that they “have their own families now.”

As you chat with Audrey, you also learn that her two closest friends—long-time confidants and fellow church members—also passed away within the last year.

Audrey sighs and says, “Sure, I’m lonely, but I know I will be with Ernie and my Holy Father soon.”