Pat Part 2 Reflective Exercises
Understanding people's behaviour and decision making
Our behaviours evolve over a life span and are influenced by many of the wider determinants of health including housing, income and environment [3]. For someone who does not work and is socially isolated their home is one of their only comforts and should be a safe and pleasant environment to be in. However, for many the quality and maintenance of their housing all too often falls outside of their control and may have catastrophic influences on their health and wellbeing, both physically and mentally. [1-5] People who are vulnerable in this way may lack the confidence and the ability to change their situations and opportunities to do so are often limited. Even with limited chance to make improvements to such scenarios, familiarity with surroundings is a comfort to people and often compensates for poor living standards.
Food and warmth are considered to be two of life's essentials, yet some on limited fixed incomes find themselves having to make a choice between heating and eating. Living in cold homes and poor nutrition are both widely recognised as negatively impacting on health and as people age this impact gets worse.
The attitudes and values people hold, develop over time according to their experiences and social interactions. People in later life sometimes don't like to make a fuss or draw attention to themselves. Values such as protecting privacy and independence, and being seen to cope may be of high importance to them, even though underneath they are frightened and anxious about what the next day will bring.
Part 2 Question 1
Reflections on Question 1
- Mistrusting others and organisations
- Needing to be thrifty
- Fear of poverty and debt
- Protecting privacy
- Being proud and not wanting to be needy
The behaviours and decisions of older people are influenced by the attitudes and beliefs that have formed over a number of years. People like Pat have been exposed to years of hardship and frugality, which is born out of necessity rather than choice. The vicious circle of low income and poor health will do little to help people like Pat to make significant changes to their lives on their own and increased hardship is often coupled with increased anxiety and fear resulting in worsening situations. Pride and privacy are key important values which would need to be recognised when trying to support people like Pat to be warmer at home. It will also be important for professionals to take time to build up trust and not add to the mistrust of external organisations as experienced by Pat.