Family assessment frameworks and methods

Family Assessment

Mr. T is the 95-year-old patriarch of the T. family. His wife and mother of their two children is Mrs. T, who is 92 years of age. Mr. And Mrs. T have two children, Wilma and Leon; ages 60 and 62 respectively. After a thorough debriefing about the nature of the family assessment as part of a community-nursing project, I received informed consent. They were assured privacy and confidentiality.

Initial Assessment

The universal health care requisites explored as part of the family assessment included food/nutrition, elimination, activity/rest, solitude/social interactions, hazards to human life, functioning, and overall well being. Both husband and wife were quick to affirm their lives are full of joy and fulfillment at having a family and raising two healthy kids. No substance abuse was reported, but the children in the family have been known to eat junk food. The family has several animals as pets including a rat and a pig, but use adequate means of keeping the house sanitary. A nanny had been employed to ease the burden of housekeeping and child rearing. The father is a naval officer and the mother a fashion designer who works from home. A genogram revealed that diabetes and hypertension were congenital risk factors.

Health Factors

When asked to define health, the family concurred that the absence of incurable illnesses, coupled with good lifestyle choices, constituted health. Mr. T has diabetes, precluding him from enjoying the peak of health. Mrs. T suffered three miscarriages and had subsequent gynecological problems. The elders rely strongly on their religious beliefs and convictions to help them through tough times. They have also availed themselves of the use of grief counselors.

In addition to diabetes, hypertension is a current health concern in the T. family. A diet high in sodium has contributed to the problem. Lack of exercise is also exacerbating the tendency toward hypertension and diabetes in the family. The entire T. family concurred that changes in diet and lifestyle might improve the overall health outcomes for all family members. Finally, sleep disorders have recently been plaguing several members of the T. family. Disturbed sleep pattern was a secondary diagnosis. Impaired home maintenance was recognized as a tertiary diagnosis.

Gordon's Functional Patterns