A Case of a Young Chinese woman
A Chinese woman in her mid-twenties had just given birth. The staff became concerned
when she would not eat the hospital food and did not bathe. She would only eat foods that
her family brought to her. The patient later explained her custom prevented her from bathing
for seven days after childbirth and permitted her to eat only certain foods.
This patient was practicing the traditional lying-in period observed in much of Asia and Latin
America. It is believed that for a period of time after childbirth, a woman’s body is weak and
susceptible to outside forces that may cause illness. In addition, pregnancy is thought to be a
hot condition. Giving birth causes a loss of yang, or heat, which must be restored. This is
accomplished by eating yang foods such as chicken and avoiding cold liquids. The woman is
to rest, stay very warm, and avoid bathing and exercise. Compromises can be made in the
care of this patient. The use of boiled water, which removes impurities, may make a sponge
bath more acceptable. Do not assume that the patient will follow orders that would violate
the traditions and wisdom of her own culture.
Analyze this case and point out the various facts, which belong to the client from diverse background.
How these culturally relevant diverse practices are culturally different from the mainstream culture.
The importance and advantages of these culturally diverse practices to the client’s medical situation and how these culturally diverse practice are misunderstood or discriminated in medical practice.
SAL’s CASE
Sal Franco is a 74-year old man, living alone in an apartment complex for older adults. You are the Senior Services social worker associated with the housing units. Sal and his wife, Maria, owned and operated a small, local grocery for 44 years (they emigrated from Italy when they were newlyweds at age 19). They sold the business to their son Dominic when Sal turned 70. The plan was to enjoy travel and retired life together. However, shortly after retiring, Maria was diagnosed with an aggressive leukemia, and she died within 4 months. Mr. Franco has been living alone for over 3 years. Because Sal and Maria spent most of their time working and involved with family activities, there are few close friends in his life. Dominic’s family has Sal to dinner every Sunday, but has little time during the week because of competing demands. Sal’s other children include a daughter living in another state who calls daily (but seldom visits because of the cost), a daughter oversees in military service, and a son with Down’s syndrome who lives in a group home about an hour away.
Sal indicates that he was a “hard drinker” during his 20s and 30s, when he developed stomach problems and high blood pressure. At that point, he limited his use of alcohol to his Friday night poker club and to Sunday dinner with the family. Since Maria’s death, Sal has regularly consumed 3 to 4 drinks a day. He says it alleviates some of the pain, stress, and loneliness. It also helps him sleep, along with the over-the-counter medications that he takes for arthritis pain and as sleep aides. He came to the clinic because his hypertension and gastritis have become extremely labile and intractable. When you ask Mr. Franco how he is doing, he says, “Oh, I guess I’m okay for an old widower. I don’t think it really matters how I feel or what I do anymore at my age.
apply Fowler’s theory and Levinson’s theory for the case mentioned below. Mention the theory briefly.
Formulate the time line for the case. Tracking the overall growth patterns and transitions using various life-events.How these life-events can help achieve spiritual development and mention interventions.
