Question

Mary Smith is a 60-year-old woman. She has COPD, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Mary worked as an hourly employee at a large retailer. She lost her job and her employer-based insurance after experiencing a debilitating episode of clinical depression and anxiety. Mary felt very fortunate that she was able to sign up for ObamaCare. She even qualified for a lower rate because of her limited income. Mary has difficulty managing her chronic physical health conditions because of recurrent bouts of depression and anxiety. She smokes a pack of cigarettes each day to help “calm her nerves.” She knows smoking is bad for her health, so she tried to quit several times but always ended up smoking again. Currently, Mary sees a primary care provider who prescribes medications for her depression, anxiety, blood pressure, COPD, and diabetes. She has never seen a mental health provider. Mary lives with her 80-year-old mother who has dementia and needs help with meals and personal care. The dementia has gotten worse and now her mother cannot be left alone. Mary’s mother receives Medicare and Medicaid. Mary is totally overwhelmed. She would like to get some counseling for her depression and anxiety and to help her quit smoking but she does not know who to contact. If she loses her health insurance through the ACA, she will no longer be able to see her primary care provider. And she has no one to help her with her mom. She doesn’t know where to turn for help.

What would your top priorities be in helping Mary address her health and other concerns?

Answer 1

Make mary to understand the necessity of meeting a mental healthcare provider as it is very necessary to balance her in her daily activities.Moreover explain her the importance of doing so since her mother is completely depending on her.As she knows if she undergo counselling for her depression and anxiety and for her smoking habit,she can lead a better healthy life ,thereby she can maintain the insurance policy which ever she has at present.This can make her more comfortable and relaxed to do the daily activities,including the care for her mother.

Next need to consider her financial status,need to help her to earn her daily wages as it is important for her.

Now consider her health issues like COPD (has already got the solution after the counselling),diabetes,and hypertension.