Adult Case Intervention Analysis: A Case Study of Elizabeth

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School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Capella University

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 Adult Case Intervention Analysis: A Case Study of Elizabeth

Introduction

Elizabeth, a 72-year-old woman, faces significant developmental challenges in late

adulthood. She loves literature and has a warm personality. Elizabeth has mild arthritis that

causes discomfort and makes it hard for her to move. Additionally, she suffers from cognitive

decline that includes memory lapses, reduced processing speed, and declining quality of life. She

struggles with complex landscape of grief and bereavement, after the death of her spouse six

months ago. They were married for 50 years. His death left her feeling very lonely and uncertain

about her future. Her grief worsens her cognitive decline and intensifies the challenge of finding

purpose and meaning in late adulthood.

She has limited connection mainly because of limited mobility. Also, navigating societal

pressures as a widow in white community increases her challenges. She was brought up in a

middle class status, thus contributing to her reluctance to seek support. Emotionally, she

struggles with attachment issues that stem from the loss of her spouse. Environmental factors

play a critical role in Elizabeth’s well-being. This report will explore evidence-based

interventions drawn from Baltes and colleagues’ lifespan theory to address the multifaceted

challenges.

Presenting Challenges and Primary Issues

Elizabeth’s developmental journey is marked by several primary issues that affect her

functioning and overall well-being. One challenge that Elizabeth struggles with is cognitive

decline, which is characterized by memory lapses, reduced processing speed, and difficulty in

solving problems (Kornadt, et al., 2020). These cognitive impairments hinder her ability to

engage in activities. Additionally, she experiences profound grief and bereavement after the
death of her spouse Daniel. She feels lonely and uncertain about her future and often questions

the meaning of her life. Coping with the Daniel’s death triggers intense emotions of loneliness,

depression and existential questioning. This aggravates her cognitive decline and makes it hard

to find purpose and meaning in late adulthood. Also, Elizabeth’s limited social connections

because of mobility issues and societal pressures as a widow further increases her challenges.

Elizabeth’s Age-expected Developmental Outcomes

As a 72-year-old woman, Elizabeth shows different age-expected developmental

outcomes and specific challenges that hinder her ability to meet those milestones. Age-expected

developmental outcomes for individuals in late adulthood include cognitive stability, emotional

resilience, and the ability to maintain social connections despite physical limitations.

Nonetheless, Elizabeth faces significant challenges in these areas. First, she experiences memory

lapses, decreased processing speed, and difficulty in solving problems, which indicate cognitive

decline. These challenges affect her ability to engage in activities as well as maintain

independence, which deviates from age-expected outcomes.

Second, individuals in late adulthood are expected to show resilience as they cope with

life changes and losses (Hassani et al., 2017; MacLeod et al., 2016; Ong et al., 2009). However,

Elizabeth struggles with great grief and bereavement greatly after the death of her husband. Her

emotional struggles increase her cognitive decline, which deviates from expected developmental

outcomes. Third, it is important to maintain meaningful social connections. Despite having few

close friends in her community, Elizabeth’s issues with mobility limit her social interactions.

Daniel’s death left her isolated and lonely. This worsens her challenges in meeting age-expected

developmental outcomes.

Environmental Factors Impacting Elizabeth's Development

 Different factors shape Elizabeth’s overall well-being and her ability to cope with

challenges. One, her social support system comprises of family, friends, and domestic workers.

The distance between her children, Moses and Jane, limits their ability to offer regular support.

Societal expectations regarding aging and widowhood also affect the type and quality of support

that she receives from her social network (Utz et al., 2002). Two, access to community resources

and programs for older adults. Elizabeth lives in a suburban town, making it easier to access

different resources such as senior centers and healthcare facilities. However, she faces mobility

issues as well as attachment-related issues that may hinder her effective use of these resources.

Three, societal and cultural expectations that surround aging and widowhood play an

important role in Elizabeth’s developmental trajectory. As a widow who lives in a community

that is predominated by Whites, she faces societal pressures to conform to certain norms and

expectations related to her role and status (Utz et al., 2002). This affects her grieving process and

her overall adjustment to late adulthood. Four, her physical environment, including her

neighborhood and home, affects her development. She lives in a place where she can easily

access amenities but her limited mobility due to mild arthritis poses a challenge to interact with

her surroundings. Changes in family dynamics after the loss of Daniel also influences her

attachment to her physical environment.

Analysis of Lifespan Theory

Baltes and colleagues conceptualized the lifespan development theory. It offers a

framework for understanding how individuals navigate through different stages of life, that is,

biological, socio-cultural, and psychological factors. In the case of Elizabeth, the lifespan theory

provides insights onto her presenting challenges in late adulthood. According to the theory,

development is characterized by dynamic interactions between individuals and their environment

across the lifespan (Moersdorf et al., 2022). Elizabeth's cognitive decline and emotional struggles

following the loss of her spouse can be understood through the lens of this theory. As individuals

age, they experience changes in cognitive functioning and emotional regulation, influenced by

both biological and environmental factors. Additionally, the theory emphasizes the importance of

adaptive processes and resilience in coping with life transitions and challenges. Her resilience

and warmth despite her challenges exemplify the theory's emphasis on adaptability. Furthermore,

the theory underscores the role of socio-cultural factors in shaping development, such as societal

expectations regarding aging and widowhood.

Cultural Differences

Individual and cultural differences play a significant role in shaping development for

individuals in late adulthood, as demonstrated in Elizabeth's case. Individually, factors such as

genetics, personality traits, and life experiences influence how individuals perceive and respond

to challenges associated with aging and loss. Elizabeth's resilience and reluctance to seek support

may stem from her middle-class upbringing and cultural norms surrounding independence and

self-reliance. Additionally, cultural beliefs and societal expectations regarding aging and

widowhood impact how individuals like Elizabeth navigate these life transitions (Holm et al.,

2019). For instance, societal pressures to conform to certain norms may influence Elizabeth's

grieving process and adjustment to widowhood.

Suggestions of evidence-based intervention strategies

Evidence-based intervention strategies tailored to address Elizabeth's challenges in late

adulthood include cognitive rehabilitation programs, grief counseling, and social support

interventions. Research shows that cognitive rehabilitation programs, such as memory training

and cognitive-behavioral therapy, improve cognitive function and enhance quality of life in older
adults experiencing cognitive decline (Mendes et al., 2022; Sanjuan et al., 2020). Grief

counseling and support groups provide a safe space for individuals like Elizabeth to express their

emotions, process their loss, and find meaning in their experiences. Additionally, interventions

promoting social connections and community engagement can alleviate feelings of loneliness

and enhance overall well-being in late adulthood (O'Rourke et al., 2018).

Projections of Possible Long-Term Impacts

Projections of possible long-term impacts resulting from Elizabeth's current challenges

suggest potential consequences across her lifespan. Without intervention, ongoing cognitive

decline may lead to further functional impairments. This impacts her ability to maintain

independence and engage in daily activities. Additionally, unresolved grief and social isolation

may contribute to worsening mental health outcomes, including depression and anxiety, with

implications for her overall quality of life and well-being. However, targeted interventions aimed

at addressing these challenges can mitigate long-term impacts to promote cognitive functioning,

emotional resilience, and social connectedness in late adulthood and beyond.

Conclusion

Elizabeth faces significant developmental challenges in late adulthood. This includes

cognitive decline, grief, and limited social connections following the loss of her spouse.

Environmental factors such as social support systems, cultural expectations, and access to

resources further impact her development. Drawing from lifespan development theory, evidence-

based interventions including cognitive rehabilitation, grief counseling, and social support

programs offer avenues for addressing Elizabeth's challenges. Projections suggest potential long-

term impacts on her cognitive and emotional well-being. However, targeted interventions hold

promise for mitigating these effects and promoting resilience in late adulthood. Understanding
Elizabeth's unique context and challenges underscores the importance of tailored interventions

and holistic approaches to supporting individuals in navigating the complexities of late-life

development.
 References

BIBLIOGRAPHY Fakoya, O. A., McCorry, N. K., & Donnelly, M. (2020). Loneliness and social isolation

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doi:10.1186/s12889-020-8251-6

Hassani, P., Izadi-Avanji, F.-S., Rakhshan, M., & Majd, H. A. (2017). A phenomenological

study on resilience of the elderly suffering from chronic disease: a qualitative study.

Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 10, 59-67.

doi:10.2147/PRBM.S121336

Holm, A. L., Berland, A. K., & Severinsson, E. (2019). Factors that influence the health of older

widows and widowers—A systematic review of quantitative research. Nursing Open,

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Kornadt, A. E., Kessler, E.-M., Wurm, S., Bowen, C. E., Gabrian, M., & Klusmann, V. (2020).

Views on ageing: a lifespan perspective. European Journal of Ageing, 17(4), 387-401.

MacLeod, S., Musich, S., Hawkins, K., Alsgaard, K., & Wicker, E. R. (2016). The impact of

resilience among older adults. Geriatric Nursing, 37(4), 266-272.

doi:10.1016/j.gerinurse.2016.02.014

Mendes, L., Oliveira, J., Barbosa, F., & Castelo-Branco, M. (2022). A Conceptual View of

Cognitive Intervention in Older Adults With and Without Cognitive Decline—A

Systemic Review. Frintiers in Aging, 3. doi:10.3389/fragi.2022.844725

Moersdorf, L., Freund, A. M., & Daum, M. M. (2022). Spelling out some unaddressed

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Features in Later Adulthood. Journal of Personality, 77(6), 1777-1804.

doi:10.1111/j.1467-6494.2009.00600.x

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and loneliness for older adults: a scoping review. BMC Geriatrics, 18(214).

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Sanjuan, M., Navarro, E., & Calero, M. D. (2020). Effectiveness of Cognitive Interventions in

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Utz, R. L., Carr, D., Nesse, R., & Wortman, C. B. (2002). The Effect of Widowhood on Older

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 Appendix

Elizabeth is a 72-year-old woman who is facing significant developmental challenges in

late adulthood. She is resilient and warm despite these challenges. She is a retired librarian who

is intellectually curious and loves literature. However, recent events have led to insightful

challenges in her life. Medically, Elizabeth suffers from mild arthritis, which hinders her

mobility and also causes discomfort. Even though her overall health is fair, she struggles with

cognitive decline, experiencing memory lapses, decreased processing speed, and difficulty in

problem-solving. These changes impact her daily functioning and quality of life and presents a

difficult developmental challenge in her late adulthood.

In addition to cognitive decline, Elizabeth is going through the complex landscape of

grief and bereavement following the loss of her spouse of 50 years, Daniel. His passing has left

her feeling very lonely and uncertain about her future. Coping with the death of a loved one is

emotionally strenuous and it triggers feelings of loneliness, depression, and existential questions

about mortality. Elizabeth’s grief increases her cognitive decline, making it even more

challenging for her to find meaning and purpose in this stage of her life (Fakoya et al., 2020).

Elizabeth has two children, Moses, 58, and Jane, 42. They live in different states as

Elizabeth, which makes it hard for them to visit her regularly. Currently, Elizabeth lives with her

2 domestic workers, who normally look after her. Elizabeth has a few close friends in her

community. Her social connections are limited mainly because of mobility issues. Her husband

was her best friend and they spent so much time together. His passing left a void in her life. As a

widow in a community that dominated by whites, she may face societal pressures regarding

aging and widowhood. This makes it even harder for her grieving process and adjustments to late

adulthood.
 Additionally, her middle-class upbringing may influence her reluctance to seek support or

express vulnerability, making her challenges even more complex. The environmental context

further influences Elizabeth’s development. She lives in a suburban town, thus the access to

resources and community programs for older adults may impact her well-being. Also, she battles

attachment issues that stem from her spouse's death and changes in family dynamics, which

further contribute to her emotional struggles.