{Author Name [first-name middle-name-initials last-name]}
{Institution Affiliation [name of Author’s institute]}
Family Health Evaluation
This essay presents a family health assessment using a questionnaire based on 11 health patterns. In this case study, a family was chosen with multiple health and behavior related challenges. Sixty years old Hispanic male Andrew once visited the health care provider with the problem of high cholesterol and being overweight. In this case study, the family of Andrew is selected for a family health evaluation. The data gathered from the diagnostic and health reports of Andrew will be used as a guide for his family.
This information will be collected in the form of a database that will help his family and healthcare provider, as well to understand their health patterns and future risks (Weber, 2009). It will guide them how to avoid the risky health patterns and maintain the healthy habits. The present evaluation will include the responses received during the interviews through an open-ended question format targeting the 11 health patterns proposed by Gordon as functional health patterns that will help to design a family-centered care plan for the improved health of the family (Ahmann, 1993; Pesut & Herman, 1999).
Andrew's family is a Hispanic family, which includes a mother of 85 years, a wife of 55 years old, 2 grown up male children of the 23 and 27. The evaluative session was performed with three questions on each health pattern with each family member.
Health Perception and Health Management:
1. Values, Health Perception: For designing a centered plan it was necessary to notice all the healthy or unhealthy health behavior to maintain the health. The unhealthy habits such as substance use were also inquired. Andrew is a successful business entrepreneur, socially interactive, and he believes that he gets adequate exercises and appropriate food diet. During the question session, their cultural values and perceptions were observed. Several answers were given smoothly while several were ignored, or the hesitation was obvious especially when asked for Hispanic values.
2. Nutrition: Take Hispanic food but that is highly impacted by American style. The inclusion of Fast food is increased among male members due to the busyness of work and being outside whole day. Evening meals are at home which is traditional with maize enriched items. The wife makes breakfast that is mostly light, but they prefer to have a heavy dinner on weekends with family. They consider their diet appropriate and healthy as it is also linked to their cultural values.
3. Sleep/Rest: All the members take an average sleep of 7-8 hours. Often Andrew is out for the business trip. His wife claims that she could not get enough sleep during his visits due to security concerns. The sons are also involved in family business, and mostly one son goes out with father due to his age.
4. Elimination: The questions on this pattern were not replied interestingly. The members were considering it a normal incidence of life. It seemed that they didn't like to talk about this topic in depth.
5. Activity/Exercise: On this pattern the family used to think Andrew’s way. They believed that they do routine exercises, physical activities and walk sufficiently. The mother used to go for a walk twice a week, and she was very old, so there was special assistance needed whenever she wanted to go. Boys were active and had been sports person in their college days. Now family used to play light sports on the weekend together.
6. Cognitive: On this question everyone was clueless about how to respond. As the age of wife and sons were in middle and young age, they had not any relevant problem. But the mother was facing several cognitive problems such as hearing and vision.
7. Sensory-Perception: The responses to sensory perception questions were similar as were for cognitive patterns. All were fine except mother due to age.
8. Self-Perception: Family was proud Hispanic, and their attitudes were exhibiting it. They were well settled and highly educated; they were aware of their health conditions and behaviors. They were ready to learn and admire the leading man of the family, Andrew. Mother was a little stubborn on changing her lifestyle or diet pattern.
9. Role Relationship: Andrew led his family including his sons. Both boys were content what they have achieved in their career as well as from their parents and society. Wife was a socially active person. The senior son was talkative and open while junior one was little timid.
10. Sexuality: The family response on this pattern was quite interesting. Boys laughed out loud and responded in a joyful mood. All were content with their sexual life.
11. Coping: This pattern is comparatively a sensitive issue. Wife showed concern for those days when Andrew was out for business trips. That is the reason one of the son assures to go with him due to his growing age. Wife also indicated that all the family persons and relatives are supportive, and they take care of each other in his absence. Mother is also very co-operative instead of his critical age and motivates Andrew’s wife to be stronger. Andrew’s work is not dangerous but stressful, and often business meetings become hectic. This stress is the main result of excess weight and cholesterol problem of Andrew. Now he wanted to hand over his business to his sons.
The writer concludes it was a healthy and happy family who is coping very well with each other and daily life challenges, as well. The possible Wellness and Family Nursing Diagnoses would be:
Readiness for learning enhanced Activity–Exercise Pattern
Readiness for changing diet pattern for enhanced nutrition pattern
Readiness for improved self-perception pattern
The wellness diagnosis refers to the highest state of wellness of an individual. Through this evaluation and making a diagnosis, an improved family plan is designed that prevents the risks factor and enhances the overall health and lifestyle of the family members (Weber, 2009).
In this case, proper education is required to make them understand the effects of rich food on cholesterol levels and how it can impact the lives of Andrew and other members of the family. The inclusion of proper fruits and vegetables with food intake on time should be encouraged. Another diagnosis was an insufficiency of physical activity and self-perception about it. The importance of exercises and its influence on overall health should be discussed, and a proper exercise schedule is needed to design for each person to avoid any complication in Andrew’s family.
Interview Questions
1. Values, Health Perception
i) How do you think about your current health and from the past, are you content?
ii) Why do you feel this way (according to the response to the first question)?
iii) Will you love to improve your health status?
2. Nutrition
i) What is your eating pattern?
ii) Usually, which type of food you love to have?
iii) Do you feel any change in your skin color, hair and nails?
3. Sleep/Rest
i) How many hours do you sleep?
ii) Is there any health-related problem that interrupts your sleep?
iii) Do you struggle to sleep or sleep immediately after lying in bed?
4. Elimination
i) Tell about your bowel elimination patterns, like color, frequency, and consistency?
ii) Do you feel any problem during elimination as abdominal pain, irritation, or constipation?
iii) Do you have any history of gastrointestinal troubles that may include gallbladder related, heartburn, or any surgery? If yes, please describe in detail.
5. Activity/Exercise
i) What is your daily schedule?
ii) Do you follow any specific exercise schedule, like cardiac exercises, abdominal exercises, etc.?
iii) If yes, which type of exercise you prefer; aerobic, yoga or walk and for how long?
6. Cognitive
i) Do you see well, or Is there any problem linked to the vision?
ii) Do you have any trouble in hearing or need to wear any hearing aid?
iii) Do you feel any problem with balancing when you get up or sit?
7. Sensory-Perception
i) Do you feel everything accurately, as the sense of coldness, or numbness in hands and legs?
ii) Do you have experienced any neurological problem or head injury or surgery in the past?
iii) Can you properly sense pain sensations, temperature changes, smell and taste?
8. Self-Perception
i) How will you explain yourself (age, personality)?
ii) What is your strength or are you scared of anything?
iii) Are you satisfied with your achievements in career and education and societal status?
9. Role Relationship
i) Who do you think is the strength of the family?
ii) How do you feel about your responsibilities? Are you able to accomplish them?
iii) Do you expect something from any family member and what?
10. Sexuality
i) Are you homosexual or bisexual?
ii) Are you satisfied with your sex life?
iii) Do you experience any symptoms that indicate any sexual problem?
11. Coping
i) What do you expect from yourself and for yourself in the future?
ii) Do you think the habits and schedule of other family members interrupt you?
iii) Do you think other family members support you when you need them or going through any problem?
References
Ahmann, E. (1993). Family-centered care: shifting orientation. Pediatric Nursing, 20(2), 113-
117.
Pesut, D. J., & Herman, J. (1999). Clinical reasoning. The art and science of critical and creative
thinking. New York: Delmar.
Weber, J. R. (2009). Nurses' handbook of health assessment. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
