2. Introducing
Brian
Brian is 76 years old and retired
at 65 from work as the owner of
a successful family owned
business.
He has a good pension that
enables him to live his life
without the financial worries
that many older people have.
3. Introducing
Brian
In the past Brian dealt with the
stresses of working by smoking
and drinking heavily.
He has now quit smoking and
drinks moderately.
His wife died two years ago.
In that time he has put on
weight and has been diagnosed
as clinically obese.
4. Introducing
Brian
Brian lives in a four-bedroomed
detached property.
He is fiercely independent in
terms of maintaining his personal
care, not wanting ‘outsiders to
come in’ and care for him.
As a former engineer, he is really
interested in new technology,
and considers himself computer
literate.
6. Vision
and
hearing
Brian’s eyesight is
failing rapidly. The likely
cause of this is age-
related macular
degeneration.
In addition his hearing
is not as good as it
used to be.
Source: Macular Disease Society (2009)
7. Heart
and
mind
He has been diagnosed
with congestive cardiac
failure.
The impact of this and
his obesity has reduced
his stamina and makes
breathing more difficult.
More recently Brian has
developed short-term
memory problems.
Source: MacDonell (2009)
8. Effects
on
Brian's
life
Many aspects of Brian’s life
have been affected by these
medical problems.
However, he particularly
notes problems in the
following areas:
9. Effects
on
Brian's
life
Many aspects of Brian’s life
have been affected by these
medical problems.
However, he particularly
notes problems in the
following areas:
There have been several
occasions when Brian has
missed callers because he
has not heard the doorbell or
phone – especially when he
is upstairs or in the kitchen
at the back of the house, or
is listening to the radio.
10. Effects
on
Brian's
life
Many aspects of Brian’s life
have been affected by these
medical problems.
However, he particularly
notes problems in the
following areas:
On several occasions
recently, he has forgotten
to take his heart
medication at the right
time.
He has become quite
worried about this; and
sometimes is uncertain
whether he has taken it or
not.
11. Effects
on
Brian's
life
Many aspects of Brian’s life
have been affected by these
medical problems.
However, he particularly
notes problems in the
following areas:
Brian’s favourite
supermarket is within
walking distance.
However, he is finding more
difficult to maintain the
stamina for his weekly
shopping-trip; and he finds it
difficult to read labels,
prices, etc.
12. Effects
on
Brian's
life
Many aspects of Brian’s life
have been affected by these
medical problems.
However, he particularly
notes problems in the
following areas:
He has also indicated to his
GP that he has felt
increasingly ‘down’ and
anxious as the second
anniversary of his wife
passing away approaches.
Although he misses his wife,
he doesn’t think this is grief,
but more to do with the fact
that he feels generally lonely.
