Abstract

OSTERTAG ANTEZANA, Frances N.. RECONSTRUCTING THE SENSE OF PURPOSE OF A PRIMARY CAREGIVER: CASE STUDY. Ajayu [online]. 2015, vol.13, n.1, pp.116-135. ISSN 2077-2161.

For the completion of the following case study, we relied on the participation of a 21 year old primary caregiver, who has served in this position for the past two years. The caregiver is responsible for the complete well being of one of his family members who is ill. The lady is  84 years old and she is the grandmother of the caregiver. The lady has suffered from two cerebral strokes five years ago. She was later diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and eventually cancer developed in the oral cavity. The primary caregiver participant attends therapeutic sessions due to the emergence of a family conflict that breaks the psychological balance of the primary caregiver-sick family member system. The fact that the participant questions the meaning of his life leads him to a crisis. To respond to the therapeutic target set by the participant, six sessions of narrative therapy were conducted. The information that was worked with during the therapy sessions was analized by the therapist who was able to determine the scope of therapy that has worked this particular case. In relation to the scope of the therapy, it was determined that the therapy was relevant since it helped achieve the therapeutic target set by the primary caregiver. Various changes were identified in the participant and the functioning of the system composed of the primary caregiver and the sick family member in which he has a permanent and active role.

Keywords : Primary caregiver; meaning of life; reconstruction; narrative therapy.

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