5N1279: Martin is an 80-year-old widower and He is a retired postman in a small town in the West of Ireland: Human Growth & Development Assignment, OC, Ireland

Case Study

Martin is an 80-year-old widower. He is a retired postman in a small town in the West of Ireland. His wife died 5 years ago and his only daughter, Susie, who is 52-years-old, has now moved in with him. Martin has recently had a stroke and is paralyzed down his right side. He is no longer able to write, but recently he has bought a computer and is able to type with one hand. He likes to research topics using the Internet and he is able to email his grandchildren who live away from home. Martin attends a day center every weekday.

His daughter Susie has recently gone through menopause and left her husband six months ago.  Her two children have long moved out of the home.  Rachel age 26 works in a bank in Dublin and Trevor age 23 is an Australian.  She has been depressed and has recently found a part-time job as a cleaner in her local school. She has one good friend who comes to see her one night a week. She finds it difficult to go out in the evenings, as she feels she has to stay in to look after her father.

The atmosphere in the house is very grim.  Susie often appears to have been crying and Martin is becoming less talkative.  You have been asked to assess what could be done to enable Martin to remain in his own home.