She is pretty social for the situation that she is in. Looking after a sick husband takes up most of her time, but when she has a spare moment she enjoys going to the legion and playing darts with her friends, attending the senior citizen group meetings, and playing cards. She can also be seen going to plays, musicals, entertaining her family when the opportunity presents its self. Her doctor told her to take any and every opportunity that she could to get away, and have a moment to herself. Gloria has a heart of gold and is willing to help friends, neighbors and family out when needed. All five of her children are there for moral support. .
The article Elderly Spousal Caregivers: Knowledge of Cancer Care, Perceptions of Preparedness, and Coping Strategies, talks about the care of chronically ill, disabled and frail elderly individuals. These authors say, " Families continue to function as the most important support system for the ill and the elderly. Care provided by family to disabled elderly or ill family members has been view as a "non cost" system that is preferred by the family and care recipient". The article goes on to say, "If this is indeed to be a normative family function, then nurses must assess and plan interventions that meet the needs and match the coping strategies of family caregivers, as well as care recipients" (Rusinak and Murphy, 1995, p.34). .
The research concluded the finding that family members experience stress when they provide complex levels of care to an impaired elder over an extended period of time (Rusinak and Murphy,1995, p.37). This is very true in the case of Mrs. Chapman, in fact her husband if the only major source of stress in her life right now. The family members also experience burden or burnout and health problems. Furthermore, it has been verified that those who report the greatest degree of negative outcomes are those who are providing in-home care to the elderly individuals.