Care Over Three Decades Part 2: Freda B, Age 65

Freda B. has been living alone since her mother died five years ago. She is now retired and her income from social security, retirement pay, and her husband's pension is $500 per month. She is no longer able to afford the apartment she is living in and needs to find alternate housing. She tries to do occasional housecleaning for food and extra cash, but finds it very difficult because of her joint pain and stiffness, and because she becomes short of breath with even slight exertion. Her daughter visits her occasionally, her sons rarely. She has never really emotionally recovered from her mother's death. She has one neighbor who takes her for groceries or appointments but the neighborhood is changing and other friends in the neighborhood have moved away. Freda goes to church now only when someone picks her up.

Medical History

BP 175/95 Weight 200 lbs. Height 5' 4"

She takes oral medications for diabetes mellitus first diagnosed three years ago. She continues to smoke and has developed a chronic productive cough. Her hypertension had been controlled with hydrochlorothiazide, but her medications ran out last year and she hasn't returned to the clinic for a refill. She had her remaining teeth pulled six years ago Her dentures are ill-fitting, however, and she rarely wears them. She has had a hysterectomy for uterine bleeding. She has mild bladder prolapse with occasional stress incontinence. Her hand and knee pain and stiffness have increased and she states her joints creak'. The symptoms worsen with the cleaning work she does. She takes aspirin and gets some relief of the pain.

Her dietary habits are poor. Eating for one and being alone most of the time have discouraged her from cooking regularly.