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The present essay is based on an interview based evaluative session that is originated from eleven health patterns. The focused family is a Hispanic family of four members. The senior most member of the family is a sixty-seven-year-old mother who is living with his forty-year-old son John. John is married to Suzanne who is 36 years old. They have a son aged 11 years. All the people are living together following Christianity as their faith. John is suffering from obesity with a high BMI. He visited the hospital for consultation regarding his excessive weight. He is aware of his condition and scared that he may pass this problem to his son.
The information was collected from the city hospital where he used to visit. On the basis of the gathered information, an interview-based evaluation was conducted for his whole family to provide him better health options and their risk factors can be predicted to prevent the health related problems in his family (Ahmann, 1993). The present family health assessment was conducted on the basis of responses to open-ended questions to his family that was included in 11 health patterns recommended by Gordon. These 11 points are considered as functional health patterns that facilitate the designing of a family-centered care plan for the enhanced health of the whole family (Wright & Leahey, 2012). The evaluative session was conducted with three questions on each health pattern with each of the family member (Weber & Kelley, 2013).
Responses on different Health Patterns
1. Values, Health Perception: For preparing a family-centered assessment and prevention plan it was necessary to analyze all the unhealthy or healthy health behavior to sustain the health. The unhealthy habits including smoking, alcohol consumption were also inquired. John is a mechanical engineer by profession and works as an employee in a reputed firm. John is highly educated, down to earth, independent, and socially active person who has little knowledge on health related issues. He routinely works out but his eating habits are little inappropriate due to his work schedule and that are the main reason for his excessive weight. Firstly they all were interviewed on their cultural perceptions and values. They were Hispanics and open minded so they replied smoothly and shred their faiths and values.
2. Nutrition: Hispanics lifestyle is highly impacted by American lifestyle and the similar findings were observed in this case. The increased trend of fast food in their diet has been a reason for their excessive weight and John was worried for his son. Hispanics food items are prevalent in Maize content. Though, their breakfast was light and composed of market-based snacks and juices, such stuff are rich in oils and preservatives that influence the body composition. Due to work schedule, John’s used to skip his lunch thus dinner was heavy. The School canteen food may also work in the same pattern for the 11-year-old son that is the main concern of John. John’s mother was also heavy and had a slightly higher BMI. They are aware of their food patterns but are addicted to such type of food.
3. Sleep/Rest: All the members of the family take sufficient sleep of 7-8 hours. John’s mother’s sleep is often interrupted due to acidity or gasses that may be associated with his elder age and weakened gastrointestinal system.
4. Elimination: The questions related to this pattern seemed boring to everyone and were not answered interestingly. For John’s mother, it was a crucial question because the increased age also interferes with GI system and its activities. She told that she had more consistent visits to the toilet while John’s son told the same complaint that may be due to a child habit of frequent and inapt eating.
5. Activity/Exercise: On this pattern John and his wife were very aware and active. They both had joined yoga classes that they used to attend on weekends. For the mother, it was a big issue because it was difficult for her to perform any exercise. She used to visit the community park for a half hour walk with John’s wife or son in spare time.
6. Cognitive: On the question on cognitive health pattern everyone had said that they had no problem except John’s mother which was normal in her age. She was using a hearing aid for last one year and also had little problems related to her vision.
7. Sensory-Perception: The responses on this health perception were also similar like above health pattern. John’s mother was around 67 and sometimes she faces a little balancing problem and memory related problem but not a thorough medical check-up was conducted on her.
8. Self-Perception: Family was smart, educated and proud Hispanic. They all were content and happy and busy in their lives. They were also aware of their habits, and health conditions as well as their healthy and unhealthy behaviors. Their open-mindedness and down to earth nature indicated that they were ready to learn. John’s mother was little obstinate that is natural in this age. She has become of her schedule and diet patterns and it seemed that she will take time in changing her lifestyle.
9. Role Relationship: John was the breadwinner of the family, and his wife was content in household work though she had tried many things earlier but nowadays she just takes care of her son and mother-in-law. Socially she was very active and they used to attend various community gatherings and parties.
10. Sexuality: It was an interesting pattern for them as they enjoyed replying to it. John and his wife, both had a perfect sexual life without any problems.
11. Coping: This health pattern also received normal responses. John was worried for her mother and son’s health. Her mother was aged and little stubborn, but his son is growing with inapt eating habits and sedentary lifestyle which are making him more concerned.
For this family case the Wellness and Family Nursing Diagnoses would be:
Readiness for learning to improve Activity–Exercise Pattern
Readiness for changing diet pattern
Resistance was observed at elderly level only. From this family evaluation, a proper and family-centered plan can be designed that will help each person of the family and will cover all the concerns and health issues (Weber & Kelley, 2013).
John needs a proper diet plan with exercise schedule. Similarly his son also needed a proper diet restriction. Though John’s mother needs a more thorough check up and specific diet plan that can also fulfill her age related problems.
Interview Questions
1. Values, Health Perception
i) What do you assume about your current health and past medical history?
ii) Are you content with your health status and the health of your family members?
iii) Are you interested in improving your and your family’s health status?
2. Nutrition
i) What is your eating schedule?
ii) Your favorite food?
iii) Do you feel that you consume sufficient or excessive, do you feel any weakness or change in color, skin and hair?
3. Sleep/Rest
i) Do you think you sleep sufficiently?
ii) Do you take time while trying for sleep or your sleep is interrupted during the night?
iii) If yes, do you think it is any health-related problem that disrupts your sleep?
4. Elimination
i) Do you feel any elimination related problem such as abdominal pain, constipation, itching, or irritation?
ii) How many times you use toilet each day and what is the color and consistency?
iii) Did you have any gastrointestinal trouble in the past including gallbladder related, hepatic, jaundice, stomachache, or any GI surgery?
5. Activity/Exercise
i) What is your schedule of activities like household or work related or office schedule?
ii) Do you perform any specific exercise like muscular exercises, cardiac exercises, abdominal exercises, etc.?
iii) Which type of physical activity you prefer for health purposes such as yoga, aerobic, zumba workout, and walk?
6. Cognitive
i) How is the vision, do you think you can see clearly and to a sufficient distance?
ii) Do you use any hearing aid or any problem associated with balancing?
iii) Do you have any problem linked with balancing when you sit back or stand straight?
7. Sensory-Perception
i) Do you think you are able to sense everything accurately, such as temperature, pan sensations or numbness in limbs?
ii) Did you face any neurological problem or head surgery ever?
iii) Do you think you smell and taste properly?
8. Self-Perception
i) How will you elucidate yourself according to age and personality?
ii) Do you have any weakness or do you think you are ware of it?
iii) Are you content with your achievements at educational, work and societal level?
9. Role Relationship
i) Who do you believe is the pillar of the family?
ii) Do you feel you are responsible or you successfully accomplish them?
iii) Do you have expectations from someone in the family and what do you expect?
10. Sexuality
i) What is your sexual status?
ii) Are you content with your sexual life?
iii) Do you any associated problems such as dissatisfaction, or disinterest?
11. Coping
i) How do you think yourself in future at health level?
ii) Do you have any problem with any of your family problems or their habits disrupt you?
iii) Do you think you get enough support from your family members adequately and appropriately?
References
Ahmann, E. (1993). Family-centered care: shifting orientation. Pediatric Nursing, 20(2), 113-
117.
Weber, J. R., & Kelley, J. H. (2013). Health assessment in nursing. Lippincott Williams &
Wilkins.
Wright, L. M., & Leahey, M. (2012). Nurses and families: A guide to family assessment and
intervention. FA Davis.
