IN -CAREGIVERS-FINAL-ND: Case 3 -Mrs. Anderson

Name: Mrs. Anderson
Age: 78
Living Arrangement: Lives alone in her own home
Medical History: Hypertension, Osteoarthritis
Social Support: Limited, occasional visits from neighbours and family

Presenting: Mrs Anderson, a 78-year-old woman living alone, has recently been experiencing discomfort due to high temperatures in her home. With the onset of summer, the indoor temperature has become increasingly unbearable for her. Mrs. Anderson is unsure about how to handle the situation and is seeking guidance. She has difficulties sleeping at night due to the high bedroom temperature. Furthermore, she is concerned about the effects of the heat on her health. She asked you to come over and give her some advice about how to deal with the heat.

Background Information: Mrs. Anderson has lived independently for about ten years. She manages her daily activities with minimal assistance and relies on her neighbour for occasional help with grocery shopping and other errands. Due to osteoarthritis, mobility is a challenge for her, making it difficult to make quick adjustments in her home environment. She is somewhat overweight and has a mild form of heart failure. Mrs. Anderson is not wealthy, but she manages to get around with a small pension.

What would your advice be? Plus: what can she do for herself, and what can others do?