Answer 3 for NRS 429 What is a definition of family that encompasses the different family structures prevalent today? 

In this article I found their insight very refreshing. I really resonated with ” a family unit will always be greater than the sum of each of the members that compose it, and that any alteration of one of its members affects the whole system”. This holds so much truth to it. As a nurse in a hospital setting you often see the affects a hospitalization has on the family unit. The kids needing someone to pick them up from school since ‘mom” is inpatient, or financial concerns because the breadwinner is hospitalized. Illness and changes in health always have a trickle affect in a family unit. A very clear picture of your patients social determinants of health usually emerges. More often than not a social worker is closely involved with any patients we identify as experiencing any type of hardship. This is usually relayed by the family versus the patient themselves.

Thinking on the fact of the aging population, the low birth rates, increased life expectancy, and long term care patients require, it is easy to understand how important understanding family dynamics can be. It is instrumental in treating the patient as a whole and most importantly creating a successful plan of care at the facility and at home. I found it interesting how the article mentioned several times about changing policy within the government. I could not agree more. I have read many studies on the effectiveness of health promotion in a patients home environment versus at a post care facility. The numbers are staggering. If only medicare and medicaid covered at home support. When I say this I mean, caregivers, nurse aides, care that can be delivered to support the patient not just medically but in every day life, ADL’s. Plans do cover temporary support, however, it is limited. As nurse liaison, I see patients going to long term facilities due to inadequate support at home. These families unable to make bills if they do not continue working. More support via policy change within the medicare/medicaid system would be a huge step in supporting the patient and the family dynamic.