Activity: Case Study

I would explore with the client what is important to her in her old age. It sounds like a sense of autonomy and financial stability has been lost, as well as her want to share her wisdom is indicative that she is wanting to contribute to society. After finding what is important to her, we could explore ways to adjust her life to align as such 

Elsa is experiencing some challenges in her late adulthood, and it is important to acknowledge her experiences and emotions. As described in the case study, she shows signs of dissatisfaction or despair, I would first support her in exploring how she feels about these changes in assessing the intensity. When she decides on which challenge she wants to manage, a wellbeing check could offer guidance on the approaches she might prefer. At the same time, it would be helpful to document any emotional changes to evaluate the effectiveness of each method for her situations. I would also ask her about her achievements and any happy moments in life to reflect her own strength in accepting these challenges during her current life stage.

First of all by acknowledging her difficult life changes and her feelings of not being seen and valued. I would try to collaborate to explore other ways to share her stories and wisdom, by writing, through creativity or in community groups. Explore her interests and use these to encourage her to connect with groups/new people.

It sounds like Elsa is feeling very lonely, undervalued and isolated even though she is living with her son and his family.  I would take the time to show care and respect and spend significant time letting her speak and me listening as these are all very important points as a counsellor and what she is missing in her life right now.  We would work together to come up with ideas on how she can meet her needs if her son and his family are not meeting them.  This might mean she joins a group where she can talk to others about her stories and her life and feel valued, she might start a journal about her life which later can be passed on to her family, she might be able to go to schools and talk to younger people.  She may have the courage to talk to her son and tell him how she feels.  I would like to find out how involved she is in the activities of her son's family?  For example, older people who are actively involved in the activities of the family and take interest in what their family members are doing tend to have greater sense of value, worth and time spent talking and listening to each other - this might be an area she that could help her feel valued and listened to.

Working with Elsa, I would take a warm, empathetic, and strengths-based approach. At this stage of late adulthood, people seek meaning, dignity, and connection. I would acknowledge her grief, validate the major changes she has experienced, and provide space for her to share her stories and wisdom. Supporting her sense of identity is important, as feeling unheard can lead to despair in Erikson’s final stage. I would help her rebuild social connections through community groups or storytelling activities, and gently explore ways for her to communicate her needs within her son’s family. Overall, my goal would be to help Elsa feel valued, respected, and supported as she adjusts to this new chapter.

For a start, I would encourage her to find community that live close to her, people that have similar interests that she can share some of her beautiful well earned wisdom with.

I would approach this with a lot of empathy, also acknowledging her grief and loss not only of her husband but of her home and lifestyle. I would look at what other people or places she could share her knowledge with which also could potentially address any social isolation she may be experiencing.

From counsellor perspective, I would listen to Elsa and understand her pov

giving her that sense of feeling that she is heard

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I would explore what the inability to share makes her feel and what it means if she never shares her stories. It would also be important to discuss the loss and what her life looks like from her perspective now as she spent  most of her life with that person so losing them would have a major effect on your identity

I think showing empathy firstly and UPR. holding space for her to tell her stories and suggest another avenue for her to get this down on paper, perhaps journaling or being involved in her new neighbourhood activities for elderly. but most importantly giving her a safe space to express her feelings and explain Eriks theory of integrity vs despair and how that relates to how she's feeling.

First, it’s important to make sure Elsa has worked through the grief of losing her partner. The age difference may have been difficult for her to accept, especially if they both assumed she would pass first. At this stage, Elsa really needs someone to listen and understand her. Using unconditional positive regard, empathy, and active listening would be a great place to start. Once she feels more comfortable, it might also help to invite her family into a few sessions to strengthen support and connection.

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I would start with asking questions like How did you meet your partner? and get her to share her stories with me. I work in a retirement village and find this to be the case with a lot of the residents when Im doing in home wellness checks. I make them a cup of tea and we chat about how they meet there partner, their children and grandchildren and very often their great grandchildren. There is one resident and her and her husband couldn't have children, her husband died 15 years ago and she is now 98 years old. She travelled all over the world and lived in the most amazing places, we talk about her travels and what it was like growing up 

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Elsa has been through a lot of change, including grief over a short period of time. I would actively listen to her stories, and if she's able, maybe meet out and about in her new neighborhood to give her a sense of familiarity.

I would approach this client by firstly listening to her worries, then I would ask her questions about what makes her happy, where does daily fulfillment come from for you, what activities do you enjoy. By getting her to think and participate in what brings her joy she may direct her energy to those and not being heard by her family may not feel as upsetting.

I would approach Elsa very gently and kindly, I would introduce myself and explain that she is able to discuss anything she would like with me, Id like to acknowledge the death of her partner at the beginning of the session as I feel she would want me to know about this, and this would help to build a therapeutic relationship. I presume Elsa would like to talk about her husband and stories from her past so I would invite this and listen tentatively. Maybe I would suggest Elsa joins some sort of group, and outside activity ect with other like minded or same stage of lifers and these could be people she can share her stories with while hearing others, knowing she is not alone, I would explain the importance of socialisation at this stage of life, and encourage this. 

I would approach working with Elsa with empathy and an understanding of her need for purpose and connection. It seems that she wants to feel useful and valued by her family and possibly by people in her community. It is natural for her to feel this way, especially as she is now living in an unfamiliar neighbourhood. 

I would explore with Elsa ways she could engage in meaningful activities that align with her interests and strengths. She may wish to start a new hobby or join local community groups where she can meet people, build new relationships, and share her wisdom.