Family Assessment A complete family assessment can help an individual better understand the needs of a family and its members. The Calgary Family Assessment Model can be used. The three major categories of a thorough family assessment examine structure, development, and function (Wright & Leahey, 2013).
Family Structural Assessment Assessing the structure of a family and their connections within the family and outside of the family unit can help the nurse identify potential problems. Structural assessment looks at internal structure, external structure, and the family’s context (Wright & Leahey, 2013). Each dimension is addressed separately.
Internal structure. The C family unit is a single-parent family comprised of a widow, three daughters,
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The maternal extended family is large and includes three generations, all of which maintain close contact. Most of PC’s extended family lives in Long Island within relatively close proximity to each other. Her mother, PHB, suffers from asthma, but is overall healthy with minimal added health concerns. PC’s father, JB, suffers from hypertension and cardiac disease; his blood pressure and cardiac function is closely monitored and under control. PC has one sister and three brothers, one of which has diverticulosis and another hypertension. PC’s youngest brother has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and is being well taken care of by the family. PC also has four healthy nephews and two healthy nieces, ranging in ages from 16-25. The extended family also includes PC’s two living …show more content…
The members of the C family have attended and completed college, and are currently repaying loans. The oldest daughter, PC, has attempted to return to college to complete her degree but has not been successful. The mother, PC, currently works in a local community preschool and works five 8-hour days a week (personal communication, March 3, 2017). She feels she makes decent income from her job but finds it difficult to pay all the bills and afford some of the family needs (personal communication, March 3, 2017). PC enjoys her job and despite the financial difficulties is not looking for additional financial support at this time. AC is employed by a local hospital and uses some of her income to lessen the burden on the C family’s bills, including car insurance, car payment, partial mortgage payment, and occasional groceries. AC finds great joy in her job and the people she works with and identifies them as her second family. MC utilizes work study programs at college for funds but does not contribute financially in the family. There are many local opportunities for employment for the family and their chosen career fields, but the family feels they are comfortable with their current positions and are not looking to make any career changes at this