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Running head: FAMILY ASSESSMENT 2
FAMILY ASSESSMENT 2
Family Health Assessment Part I
Florence Banks
Grand Canyon University, NRS 429
Date December 1, 2019
Family Health Assessment Part I
Describe the family structure. Include individuals and any relevant attributes defining the family composition, race/ethnicity, social class, spirituality, and environment.
The family-focused functional assessment interview was conducted to a family of 5, who identifies themselves as Black- Americans, comprising of a husband and wife, an elder, and two young girls. They all reside in a 5-bedroom, two-story home. Jackie and Jeff are husband and wife of 35 years, and also the homeowners. They are both in their late fifties and have 3 grown children, ages 29, 31, and 33, with 7 grandchildren between them. Although none of them live in the household, they frequently visit the home. Jackie’s father, Mr. Smith, is the 78-year-old elder who resides in the home. Mr. Smith is also the father of the 2 young girls in the home, ages 7 and 9. Mr. Smith was, at one time, involved with the mother of the 2 girls. She was half his age at 38 years old and was a drug addict when she gave birth to the 2 girls. She eventually lost custody of the girls to their father Mr. Smith. About 3 years ago Mr. Smith had a major stroke and is no longer able to live by himself and care for his 2 young daughters. Jackie easily gained custody of her 2 little sisters, and power of attorney over her father. During the interview process, most of the questions were answered by Jackie who is considered the primary spokesperson for the family.
The family has an above average household income with Mr. Smith receiving a retirement check from the military that’s a little over $5,000 per month, Jackie is an LVN earning $50,000 annually, and Jeff is a local truck driver earning $65,000 annually. The family has a strong Christian background and attend church regularly on Sundays and Wednesday evening bible classes. They are members of the Church of Christ, which is non-denominational.
Summarize the overall health behaviors of the family. Describe the current health of the family.
All the family members are generally healthy except Mr. Smith who suffers from depression due to the stroke he suffered 3 years ago. He is currently taking an antidepressant medication in which Jackie states has been very effective in controlling the depression. Besides the mother of the 2 little girls, who comes to visit once in a while, the family is based on a strong Christian background and none of the parent’s or other family members abuse drugs or alcohol.
The family’s health is built on good nutritional value that is composed of a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables. Jeff, who doesn’t speak much, reported that all the family members take three meals a day. The family has hired a provider service Monday thru Friday from 7am to 3pm, who comes to the home to prepare meals, for Mr. Smith and helps him with bathing and his activities of daily living. Jackie and Jeff both states they sleep very well for 6 to 8 hours every night and wakes up at 5 a.m. to prepare for work while the children sleep for 8 to 9 hours. The family also revealed they rarely have any issues with bowel movements. They deny diarrhea or constipation issues.
The family has been discussing an exercise program and is taking into consideration to get more exercise. The girls exercise at school while Jackie, Jeff and Mr. Smith rarely exercise. The family does not have any known history of mental disorders even in their extended family.
Jackie asserted that the family is doing quite well physically and mentally, but they are always worried about the health condition of Mr. Smith since his stroke. Also, the girls love their father, Mr. Smith, and often keep him very busy, which in turn keeps him very active.
Finally, the family proposed that the relationship among them is very tight- knit. They often go out as a family usually two to three times monthly which grows them closer to each other and keeps them bonded as a family. Jackie indicated that the family rarely has any major problems that they face, but states Jeff is the problem solver. Jeff, who states he was raised in a highly dysfunctional environment, states he has adopted a large variety of problem-solving skills whenever the family is facing any challenges.
Based on your findings, describe at least two of the functional health pattern strengths noted in the findings. Discuss three areas in which health problems or barriers to health were identified.
About the interview response, the family is very functional without conflict the majority of the time. They follow a very healthy nutrition regimen that consists of three meals a day with snacks in between meals. The family has a very healthy meal pattern. We providers can all be ambassadors with our personal health choices and be an example for our own families as well as our patients. (Sibbald & Ayello, 2019)
The other strong functional health pattern noted in the family is constant involvement in spending time together and their level of physical activity within the home. An article I read in the nursing center forum points out, a regular exercise routine can help individuals maintain a healthy weight, restore restful sleep, reduce arthritic disability (after 16 weeks of strengthening those with osteoarthritis had less pain and more flexibility), improve blood sugar control (and possibly reduce the need for diabetes medications), keep bones strong, promote mental and cognitive health (via the release of “feel good” brain chemicals), and maintain or improve heart health (in as quickly as 6 weeks after starting an exercise program) (American Geriatrics Society, 2015).
Finally, other than Mr. Smith, there are no major health problems are risks facing them. The family attend regular medical checkups, and Mr. Smith is being followed closely by his team of physicians.
Describe how family systems theory can be applied to solicit changes in family members that, in turn, initiate positive changes to the overall family functions over time.
The theory of family systems can be applied to solicit positive changes to the family in a number of ways. The proponents of the family system theory pointed out that as nurses, we should collaborate with patients and families to integrate their culture into patient care and develop mutual goals and the best approach to their care. (Fahlberg, Foronda, Baptiste, 2016). This theory is often applied as a model of care for any individual, family, group, community, or institution.
The interlocking concepts of family theory reveal that when patients and families make a decision, or a plan, we then need to follow through, with their permission, to integrate what we learn from them into the interprofessional care plan and then advocate for them. (Fahlberg, Foronda, Baptiste, 2016). Each family member has a specific role, and each family has its own ways of deciding who has the power and authority within the family unit, and which rights, privileges, obligations, and roles are assigned to each family member.
In conclusion, and in my own opinion, this family is highly functional and stable without issues they cannot handle. The change in roles may maintain the stability in the relationship, but it may also push the family towards a different equilibrium.
References
American Geriatrics Society. (2015). Physical activity. In HealthInAging.org. Retrieved December 1, 2019 from http://www.healthinaging.org/aging-and-health-a-to-z/topic:physical-activity/
Fahlberg, B., Foronda, C., Baptiste, D. (2016). Cultural humility: The key to patient/family partnerships for making difficult decisions. In Nursing2016; Volume :46 Number 9 (pp. 14-16). Retrieved December 1, 2019 from https://www.nursingcenter.com/journalarticle?Article_ID=3640961&Journal_ID=54016&Issue_ID=3640955
Sibbald, G., & Ayello, E. (Eds.). (2019). Eat Well Live Well. Advances in Skin and Wound Care: The Journal for Prevention. Retrieved December 1, 2019 from https://www.nursingcenter.com/journalarticle?Article_ID=5121052&Journal_ID=54015&Issue_ID=5121051
Appendix
Interview Questionnaire Assessing Functional Health Patterns
Values, Health Perception
1. How can you describe the general health of the family?
2. Do you have any chronic illnesses, or how often do you or other family members fall sick?
3. Do you always try to follow doctor’s recommendations when given?
Nutrition
1. How many meals do you take in a day?
2. Is the meal composed of the normal balanced diet?
3. Do you or family members read labels for nutrition value?
Sleep/Rest
1. How many hours do your family members sleep at night?
2. Does anyone snore or experience any sleep disorders?
3. Do you take any medication to sleep?
Elimination
1. Do you all have regular bowel movements?
2. Do you have any issue related to bowel movement like diarrhea or constipation?
3. How often do you urinate, & do you have any bladder incontinence?
Activity/Exercise
1. How much exercise do you and your family get in a typical week?
2. Are you physically strong or weak?
3. Does the family have any issue with exercising?
Cognitive
1. How are decisions made in the family, and do you have difficulty making decisions?
2. Are there any past cases of mental cases within the family?
3. Does anyone in the family see a therapist or has seen one in the past?
Sensory-Perception
1. Is there a history of sensory problems in the family? Are they corrected?
2. How is your eyesight? Is taste a problem?
3. Regarding senses, when was the last time anyone in the family saw an optometrist or audiologist?
Self-Perception
1. Do you feel like you have an imperfection within the family?
2. Is there anyone in the family uncomfortable with their appearance?
3. Do you feel hopeful about the family and the future?
Role Relationship
1. How can you describe the role of each and every member of the family?
2. What do you think may be interfering with the normal relationship of the family?
3. How is your marital relationship? Are there any relationship related differences?
Sexuality
1. Is there anyone in the family feeling awkward about their sexual identity?
2. Do you or any family member have any sexual transmitted disease?
3. Does anyone suffer from sexual dysfunction in the family?
Coping
1. How does the family cope with problems?
2. Are you relaxed most of the time, or are you taking any medication, drugs, or alcohol to relax?
3. Are there any members of the family who have ever had emotional treatment?
The post Describe the family structure. Include individuals and any relevant attributes defining the family composition, race/ethnicity, social class, spirituality, and environment. appeared first on Infinite Essays.
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