FAMILY HEALTH ASSESSMENT

Family Health Assessment



Family Health Assessment

The purpose of this paper is to make a health assessment of a family (Jones family) and analyze how incorporate one family's experience of living with multiple chronic illnesses into the Calgary Family Assessment Model (CFAM) and Rolland's Chronic Health Challenge Framework.

CFAM was developed by Dr. Lorraine M. Wright, a professor Emeritus of nursing and by Dr. Maureen Leahey, a manager of a mental health outpatient program both have over 25 years experience while still managing to supervise, teach, consult, write, and maintain a part-time clinical practice in individual, couple, and family therapy (Moxie, 2007). CFAM allows nurses to assess families during interviews.

The family interviewed was a gentleman living with cystic fibrosis, diabetes, life threatening asthma and metabolic myopathies. For confidentiality, each family members name has been changed. The gentleman living with the chronic illness will be named Bob Jones, Bobs mother will be named Sue Jones, Bobs girlfriend will go by Jane, and the 2 year old daughter will be named Anna. The Jones consist of Sue who is 47 years old, her son Bob who is 22 years old and has the chronic illnesses, Bobs girlfriend Jane who is 21 years old, and their daughter Anna who is 2 and a half years old. It was noted not to forget their loyal companion Sasha, the family dog or “second child”, as Bob puts it. Due to the fact that Bob is not Anna's Father, Bob's family would be classified as a step family (Potter & Perry, 2006). Bob, Jane and Anna live at home with Bob's mom Sue. According to Bob, Jane is works long hours throughout the week and being at home with his mother allows him to receive the care he needs socially, mentally and physically; while, acting as another pair of eyes on the very active Anna. There is no specific ranking order, as Bob's illness plays a huge factor in what goes on within the family's decisions and priorities. Anna is the only child present in the family and because of her age, she is given simple tasks to complete around the house to help out, such as putting away her toys and helping Sue and Jane with their chores. Most of the maintenance that is done around the house is Bob's job. With the assistance of someone to be his arms and legs, things eventually ...