Tuesdays With Morrie – The Needs of Many Nurses and Elderly Patients

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Initial Reaction
Touch and Intimacy
Spiritual Journey
Analysis of the Quote
Conclusion
Reference List

Introduction

Many societies are recording an increasing number of elderly citizens. This fact explains why nurses should be ready to support these elderly citizens. The novel “Tuesdays with Morrie” gives the story of Schwartz and Mitch. This essay offers meaningful discussions that can support the needs of many nurses and elderly patients.

Initial Reaction

I sympathized with Schwartz after reading the story “Tuesdays with Morrie”. I also sympathized with Albom because he was focusing on the wrong dreams in his life (Albom, 2002). According to the story, Mitch decides to reunite with his former professor. Mitch brings him food to eat. He also gains powerful lessons from Morrie Schwartz. A strong relationship develops between these two individuals. Morrie Schwartz is also suffering from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

However, I have gained new lessons after rereading the story. For instance, Morrie Schwartz advises Mitch to work hard in order to create his own culture (Albom, 2002). Towards the end of the story, Mitch reunites with his ailing brother. Albom also continues to conduct silent conversations with his professor. This practice continues even after Schwartz’s death. I have felt reborn after reading the story. The story has equipped me with new ideas that can make me a better person. I will always support and help more people in society.

Touch and Intimacy

Intimacy and touch can offer the elderly a sense of well-being. The elderly in many societies suffer from touch deprivation. This is the case because many elderly citizens lack the needed care, support, and attention. Sometimes they are left unattended. This malpractice has affected the experiences of the elderly. Morrie Schwartz also appears to suffer from touch deprivation (Albom, 2002). Morrie begins a new life after Mitch visits him. The aged have been unable to lead normal lives because of this situation.

Our modern society has contributed a lot to this problem. A new culture has emerged whereby the elderly are treated poorly. Such individuals are usually taken to different Nursing Homes (NHs) in order to get the required care. Such individuals lack the required attention from their loved ones. Certain malpractices such as selfishness and enmity continue to affect the relationships established by different individuals. Such values have affected the elderly in society (Tabloski, 2013). Nurses can therefore enhance touch for these individuals. Caregivers should offer evidence-based support to the elderly. They should use their competencies to interact, mentor, empower, and fulfill the social needs of the elderly.

Spiritual Journey

Tabloski (2013) believes that nursing should always be an evidence-based art. According to many people, aging is a powerful spiritual journey whereby one connects with the transcendent self. This path should eventually result in spiritual growth. Nurses should be ready to help the elderly. Such nurses should use the best values to support these citizens. Some of these values include compassion, sympathy, empathy, love, trust, and respect. Nurses should promote the best intrapersonal relationships with their elderly patients. They should also offer culturally-competent care to achieve the targeted outcomes.

The above argument promotes “the concept of being fully present with an individual” (Tabloski, 2013, p. 28). Caregivers should always interact with their elderly patients. This process will result in a mutual relationship whereby the targeted citizens empower one another. The individuals will “fulfill their physical, emotional, emotional, and spiritual needs” (Tabloski, 2013, p. 72). These concepts can ensure every elderly citizen finds new meaning in his or her life. I can empower the elderly to focus on their spiritual goals. I can also ensure such individuals embrace the best values such as love and trust. The elderly can also encourage me to embrace new values such as empathy and compassion. I can also acquire new competencies from the elderly.

Analysis of the Quote

The quote “learn how to die and you learn how to live means that every person should be aware of the impossibility of death (Albom, 2002, p. 82). This knowledge will make it possible for many individuals to appreciate their lives. This fact shows that we all have limited time on earth. This knowledge will ensure more people focus on the best goals in life. This knowledge will eventually promote the best practices in every person’s life (Tabloski, 2013). The process will eventually produce a fulfilling life.

Morrie also tells Mitch that aging is a form of growth (Albom, 2002). According to this quote, every day presents new lessons. Such lessons are acquired throughout a person’s life. Such lessons can eventually promote personal growth and fulfillment (Albom, 2002). This quote encourages Mitch to focus on his little time on earth. Mitch creates a new culture instead of focusing on unnecessary things. These two quotes present powerful insights that can guide many people today.

Conclusion

This exercise has encouraged me to focus on specific values such as acceptance, love, and goodness. Morrie teaches Mitch to denounce popular values such as selfishness, greed, and superficiality. The outstanding lesson from this story is that “human beings should always accept aging and death” (Tabloski, 2013, p. 53). Nurses should therefore be ready to support the elderly using their culturally-competent skills.

Reference List

Albom, M. (2002). Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life’s Greatest Lesson. New York, NY: Broadway Books.

Tabloski, P. (2013). Gerontological Nursing. Upper-Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

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