Family Health Assessment

The Family Health Assessment from the nursing perspective is very valuable. It provides insight into family health practices, which ultimately leads to healthcare providers being able to better assess patient illnesses and target interventions. Family perceptions about health can be equally influenced by culture and society. When both factors are considered, a viable and individualized healthcare plan and diagnosis can be reached. The following assessment of the Thomas family yielded a wellness diagnosis of (1) Readiness for enhanced activity-exercise program and (2) Readiness for enhanced self-perception.

Kaakinen (2010), defines family health as a “dynamic changing state of well-being which includes the biological, psychological, spiritual, sociological, and cultural factors of individual members and the whole family system” (p. 6). It is important for nurses to understand the structure of the family as it pertains to a particular patient. The questions formulated for the Thomas family yielded the following results when analyzing their responses to their functional health patterns:

Values, health perception

The Thomas’ are an African American family that has deep cultural roots in the south. Much of their family time is centered on lots of food. Mrs. Thomas remarked that she often cooks Sunday dinner after church for immediate and extended family. Serving southern-style cuisine the way that family members request is a way of showing love. The great-grandmother who lives in the home remarked that healthy ingredients are not really considered, as taste is more important. When asked about the health of individual members, it was discovered that diabetes and hypertension run throughout the family line. There are several obese members, and a close uncle is hospitalized currently with severe respiratory issues. Mrs. Thomas remarked that a recent trip to the local health fair has sparked a new desire to get in shape. She would like more information about preparing nutritious foods, as meal preparation is a large part of her culture.

Nutrition

The Thomas’ were eager to report the foods that they routinely purchase during a weekly shopping trip. The children consistently choose foods that are high in sugar and processed. For example, donuts and chips are high on the list. There is a variety of meat and fish purchased which will help increase protein consumption. The Thomas’ voiced a desire to learn how to read nutrition labels and shop for healthier foods.

Sleep/Rest

Six people live in the Thomas household. Recently relatives have relocated from Atlanta, Georgia. Until they can find permanent housing, Ms. Thomas is letting them reside at her home. It can be quite noisy around the household, as everyone has different preferences for bedtime. On average, children that are aged 15-18 are getting 5 hours of sleep as they enjoy playing video games after homework is finished.

Elimination

Mr. Thomas remarked that he doesn’t have routine bowel movements, as they only surface three to four times per week. He mentioned that he has been trying to make an appointment with the doctor but had been too busy at work.

Activity/Exercise

There is a wide variety of perceptions when it comes to exercise for this family. The sister, Alisha is very fit as she exercises daily and is trying to get the rest of the family on a healthy plan. Mrs. Thomas doesn’t get much exercise as she spends most of the time in the house preparing meals. She does engage in a lot of housecleaning and yard work.

Cognitive

All the Thomas children are doing quite well in school as they were eager to show the interviewer school report cards and GPA documentation. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas were cognitively sound and able to thoroughly answer all interview questions. Extensive cognitive or health literacy testing was not conducted at this interview.

Sensory-Perception

Mrs. Thomas’ mother who resides in the family home does have a hearing aid that needs a new battery. The interviewer had to repeat questions on many occasions. The sensory perception of others in the family was on target.

Self-Perception

The self-perception of all children except for Alisha the sister carried a negative connotation. The children are often ridiculed in school and left out of sports activities because of obese conditions. Children do express an interest in becoming active in sports at the local YMCA.

Role Relationship

Everyone gets along in the household in a general sense. Parents and children are respectful and helpful for aging individuals. Grandmother has a lot of influence and control over children and parents. Her opinion is well respected.

Sexuality

Children are not permitted to talk about sex in the household. Church is attended every Sunday where things of sexual nature are discussed with religious leaders placed over youth specifically.

Coping

Prayer is the coping mechanism used most often in the Thomas family. Adults and children don’t really talk about issues that surface within the family. There have been times when individuals have gone for days without talking to each other and there is a certain degree of tension that eventually resolves.

Wellness and Family Nursing Diagnosis

The wellness and family nursing diagnosis that are applied to the Thomas family are: (1) Readiness for enhanced activity-exercise program and (2) Readiness for enhanced self-perception. It has been assessed that as a family there is a desire to change eating and self-perception. It is the recommendation of the nurse that the family begin a program at the local YMCA that will teach the Thomas’ about nutrition as well as proper exercise. This program is free to the community and only requires a sound commitment to yield results. On weekends at the same facility, there is a local drama group that the children have been recommended to attend. This group integrates character building and the performing arts that will ultimately result in a positive change regarding self-perception in the Thomas household. It is important to note that although a full transition to healthier living has not occurred, the interviewer did observe that Ms. Thomas has purchased healthier bread and obtained a library card to begin checking out books on proper nutrition.

Reference

Kaakinen, J. R. (2010). Family health care nursing theory, practice, and research (4th ed.). Philadelphia: F.A. Davis Co.