Marchand

.docx

School

Touro University Worldwide *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

628

Subject

Health Science

Date

Jan 9, 2024

Type

docx

Pages

Uploaded by TerrianM

Running Head: Final Wishes 1 Signature Assignment: Parkinson’s and Honoring Final Wishes Terrian Marchand MFT 629: Aging, Illness, and Long-Term Care\ October 16, 2023

SIGNATURE ASSIGNMENT: Final Wishes 2 Interview Report Interviewee: My Godmother(Ms.D): 52, African American, Heterosexual cis-gendered woman. Works as a Physical Therapy Assistant and minister at a local church. Ms. D is caring for her mother(Mother, 75) as she undergoes Hyperbaric treatments for Parkinson’s disease. Individuals Affected Ms. D was interviewed by phone, on October 10, 2023. Ms. D is the oldest daughter of “Mother”. Ms. D agreed to allow Mother to come and stay with her and her husband while she undergoes Hyperbaric treatments. Ms. D’s father, Mother’s husband passed away less than a year prior. Mother stepped down from her position as senior pastor of a ministry she and her husband initiated. Mother moved from Dyersburg, TN to be with her daughter in a small town in Louisiana. Mother has been living with my godmother for about 2 months now. My godmother described her mother's Parkinson's symptoms as shaking hands, body trimmers, sometimes not being able to dress herself, requiring assistance to get out of bed, and struggling to even carry things. Mother would experience trimmers when trying to eat. Mother’s primary care physician advised her not to seek hyperbaric treatment because it could affect the breast cancer cells. Mother recently completed a round of chemotherapy and radiation for breast cancer. Ms. D shared that her PCP advised against the treatment because it can spread the remaining cancer cells throughout her body and increase her chances of the cancer returning. According to Ms. D, Hyperbaric treatment could potentially shorten Mother’s life span. Mother is staying with Ms. D until she is comfortable in her abilities to be as independent as she needs to be. My godmother and her mother haven't lived under the same roof since she was 17 Relationship to Interviewer

SIGNATURE ASSIGNMENT: Final Wishes 3 Ms. D has been in student’s life since she was 13. Student relocated to the small town Ms’d resides in and they met at church. Ms. D became a spiritual mentor(Godmother) for student. Student and Ms. D’s connection grew stronger. Student met Mother 1 year after meeting Ms. D. Mother did not have a diagnosis at that time. The Problem Ms. D and her mother agreed to a temporary arrangement, while Mother received hyperbaric treatment. Mother required no financial assistance from Ms D, but she did need her skills as a physical therapist assistant. Mother and Ms. D have not lived under the same roof since Ms. D was 17. Ms. D shared that she was physically and mentally prepared for her mother's visit but wasn't prepared for how it would affect her emotionally. Ms. D expressed feeling unsure of how their Dynamic would work given that they are two very opinionated and strong-willed women. Ms. D expressed wanting to make the most of her time with her mother since both conditions have limited the time they have left with each other. Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder that causes uncontrollable movements such as trimmers, stiffness, and increased difficulty with balance and coordination(National Institute on Aging, n.d). Symptoms of Parkinson’s gradually worsen over time(National Institue on Aging, n.d). Mother was diagnosed with Parkinson’s 3 years ago. When Ms. D’s father was alive, he and Mother took care of each other until cancer took its toll on both of them. Mother’s symptoms got worse as she went through chemotherapy and radiation. Mother’s struggles to dress herself, cook/feed herself, and its getting increasingly harder for her to get out of bed without assistance. According to Dr. Dennis Godby, ND, hyperbaric oxygen therapy offers some hope for Parkinson’s patients(2023). Hyperbaric therapy slows down the degeneration of neurons, rejuvenates stem cells, and enhances the growth of new blood vessels that nurture damaged areas by flooding the brain with oxygen(Godby, 2023). Ms. D was not in support of Mother’s decision to seek hyperbaric treatment but understood her desire for independence.

SIGNATURE ASSIGNMENT: Final Wishes 4 Mother asked Ms. D to not tell her siblings about the potential effects on the cancer cells. Ms. D admitted she has been struggling with having to keep it a secret. Since receiving treatment Mother’s symptoms have been improving. Ms. D is the oldest daughter of 5 children. She has an older biological brother, two adopted brothers, and one adopted sister. As the oldest daughter, she has assumed the role of third parent many times. Ms. D expressed feeling closer to her father growing up. Ms. Hopes to use this time as a chance to get closer and improve. Ms. D shared that the role reversal has been an adjustment. Mother desires to pass away at home, so its understood that her visit is temporary. Mother has been living with Ms. D as the leader of the home. Ms. D shared that she believes her mother struggled with trusting her in the beginning. Legal and Ethical Issues After Ms. D’s father passed away, the family struggled to carry out some of his final wishes because they weren’t stated clearly. Mother shared that she wanted her final wishes to be honored by the family. Mother had an executor of the estate, but had some final details she wanted Ms. D to take care of. Mother and Ms. D had to make sure those final wishes did not conflict with what was written in her will. Mother gave specific instructions for her funeral and how she wanted her ashes to be divided. Ms. D shared that some of her siblings did not agree with some of her wishes. Mother made sure that she typed up her final wishes and sent them to her lawyer to ensure that they could not be contested. Financial Stressors Hyperbaric treats can cost between $7,000 and $12,000. In some extreme cases, it can cost up to $100,000(Office of Inspector General, 2000). Mother’s treatments were partially covered by her insurance. She was able to pay for the rest of her services with savings and Insurance settlement. Even though the burden of medical costs did not fall on Ms D., she had to

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help