You are noticing that one of your parents/grandparents is getting older. He/she is starting to have challenges with memory, and you notice an increased need for additional support for his/her chronic health conditions. Using the information in the textbook (Chapter 7), consider your and your parent’s/grandparent’s personal financial resources, interests, lifestyle, and needs. Next, describe and discuss at least 2 long-term care options that you would consider discussing as options with your parent/grandparent. In that discussion, identify at least 2 advantages and 2 disadvantages for each of the long-term care options you selected.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Long-Term Care Options for Aging Parents or Grandparents
As our loved ones age, it becomes increasingly important to evaluate their long-term care options, particularly when they begin to show signs of memory decline and increased health challenges. In this discussion, I will consider two long-term care options: in-home care and assisted living facilities. Each option comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages that must be weighed carefully to ensure that the chosen solution aligns with the personal financial resources, interests, lifestyle, and needs of my parent/grandparent.
Option 1: In-Home Care
In-home care involves hiring professional caregivers to provide assistance within the comfort of the individual’s home. This option allows for personalized care tailored to the specific needs of the individual.
Advantages:
1. Familiar Environment: Remaining in their own home allows my parent/grandparent to stay in a familiar environment, which can help reduce anxiety and confusion often associated with memory issues.
2. Personalized Care: In-home care can be tailored to meet the specific needs of my loved one, whether it involves help with daily activities, medication management, or companionship.
Disadvantages:
1. Cost: Depending on the level of care required, in-home care can be expensive, especially if full-time assistance is needed. This may strain personal financial resources.
2. Limited Social Interaction: While caregivers provide companionship, my parent/grandparent may still experience feelings of isolation if they do not engage with a broader community.
Option 2: Assisted Living Facilities
Assisted living facilities provide a residential option for seniors who require assistance with daily activities but do not need the intensive medical care found in nursing homes. Residents typically have their own apartments and receive support as needed.
Advantages:
1. Social Engagement: Assisted living facilities often offer various activities and social events, promoting interaction with peers and reducing feelings of loneliness or isolation.
2. Comprehensive Care: These facilities usually provide access to healthcare professionals who can monitor health conditions more closely and respond quickly to any emerging issues.
Disadvantages:
1. Loss of Independence: Moving to an assisted living facility may come with a loss of independence and privacy, which could be difficult for my parent/grandparent to adapt to.
2. Cost Consideration: Assisted living can also be costly, and depending on my parent/grandparent’s financial situation, it may not be a sustainable long-term option.
Conclusion
Choosing the right long-term care option for an aging loved one requires careful consideration of their unique circumstances, including personal preferences, financial resources, and health needs. In-home care offers familiarity and personalized support but comes at a cost and may lead to social isolation. On the other hand, assisted living facilities provide social engagement and comprehensive care but can be expensive and may compromise independence. Ultimately, an open discussion with my parent/grandparent about their needs and preferences will be crucial in making an informed decision that ensures their well-being and comfort as they navigate this new chapter in life.
