Mrs. Jones, a widow, is no longer able to live independently and is requiring more and more help with her self-care. Her daughter, Susie, who is married with three school-aged children, agrees to let her mother move in with her. Susie is concerned with balancing the demands of her career and the needs of her family, especially now that her elderly and chronically ill mother will need assistance. She is also unsure about how she feels with the reversal of roles, having to now be the primary caregiver of her mother. How can the nurse, caring for this family, assist with the changes they are about to undergo? How can both the family structural theory and the family developmental theory is applied to this scenario? How can health education enhance health promotion for this family? This situation for Mrs. Jones and Susie and her family is stressful. The nurse first need to do a family assessment, that way the nurse can better assist Mrs. Jones family situation. Susie and her family may think taking care of her mother will be a burden, and Mrs. Jones may feel like she is losing self -stability and independence having to rely on her daughter and family. With the right support group and resources it could turn out to be a positive situation. The nurse can also get case management involved to make thing go much smoother. For example, if case management was involved, then a nurse could come to the house to take care of Mrs. Jones while Susie works and raises a family. The nurse needs to be aware that there can be risk factors that the family may experience that can set up the family up for dysfunctional health patterns (Edleman & Mandle, 2010). The risk factors can be: stress, anxiety, and pressure at work or home. The nurse needs to assess for these risk factors to help prevent a possible family dysfunction. The nurse also needs to educate the family on resources, communication and coping mechanisms, and the nurse also needs to educate Mrs. Jones because this takes a toll on a family and as well as the patients. Mrs. Jones may need help with coping with losing her independence. In these tough situations nurses need to show support, and good communication to help the family reach a functional situation. Reference: Edelman, C., & Mandle C.L. (2010). Health promotion throughout the life span (7 ed.). St. Louis: Mosby.

In the given scenario, Mrs. Jones, a widow, is no longer capable of living independently and requires increasing assistance with her self-care. Her daughter, Susie, agrees to have her mother move in with her, but Susie is concerned about balancing her career, the needs of her family, and her newfound role as the primary caregiver for her mother. This situation presents various challenges for the family, and as a nurse, it is important to understand how the family structural theory and the family developmental theory can be applied to this scenario, and how health education can enhance health promotion for this family.

The family structural theory focuses on understanding the structure and dynamics within a family. It examines roles, relationships, and interactions among family members. In this case, the roles within the family will undergo a significant transformation with Mrs. Jones moving in with Susie and her family. The nurse can assist by assessing the current family structure and dynamics, identifying any potential conflicts or challenges, and providing guidance on how to navigate these changes effectively. The nurse should help the family establish clear and open lines of communication to address any concerns or expectations.

The family developmental theory, on the other hand, focuses on the different stages of family development and how families adapt to change over time. In this particular scenario, the family is experiencing a developmental transition as they adjust to the presence of an elderly and chronically ill family member. The nurse can provide education and support to help the family cope with this transition. This may include discussing the emotional and psychological impact on both Mrs. Jones and the rest of the family, as well as identifying resources and support services that can aid in the adjustment process.

Health education plays a crucial role in promoting the well-being of this family. The nurse can provide information on various aspects of caregiving, such as proper techniques for assisting with self-care, managing medications, and preventing complications related to Mrs. Jones’ chronic illness. The nurse can also guide the family in accessing community resources, support groups, and respite care services that can alleviate some of the burden on Susie and her family.

Additionally, the nurse should focus on promoting self-care for both Mrs. Jones and Susie. This may involve teaching Mrs. Jones coping strategies to maintain her independence and dignity, while also highlighting the importance of self-care for Susie to prevent caregiver burnout. By emphasizing the importance of self-care and providing practical strategies, the nurse can empower the family to prioritize their own health and well-being.

In conclusion, the nurse can support Mrs. Jones and Susie’s family through a comprehensive family assessment, utilizing the family structural and developmental theories to guide interventions. Health education plays a vital role in enhancing health promotion for this family, addressing their unique needs and challenges. By providing education and support, the nurse can help the family navigate this transitional period and establish a functional and supportive caregiving environment.