Answer 2 for NRS 429 What is a definition of family that encompasses the different family structures prevalent today? 

I was not impressed with this article. It seemed very dated, and I felt it was hard to read. The article possibly could be reflecting on one area of nursing, I’m not sure.I have been in and out of the nursing world while raising my children for 15 years and recognize that my knowledge and experience may be dated as well.

In my experience, the family/caregivers have always been part of the care plan, interventions, and health care team. I spent time in home health and the caregiver was always included in our interventions and observations. Most often, it was a necessity to have a caregiver or family present for certain visits. Our role as the home health nurse was to teach and educate patients and family on how to manage at home. There were a few instances in which the patient could be independent. In both cases, we used local resources to assist. Caregiver strain was a regular topic discussed and documented on. It was always an intervention of mine to allow time for caregiver to express feelings and follow up on “time off” activities that were accomplished, especially with our total care/high acuity patients. This also correlated with the patient to assess that their time way from the regular caregivers was healthy.

The change I note, is more revolved on what a family unit looks like now and how that relates to the primary caregivers. The evolution from the traditional female spouse or daughter caregiver could now be grandparents and grandchildren family unit, gay partner/spouse caregiver, transgender adult child as caregiver, an in law family member , roommate, or the total absence of a caregiver related to no family unit.

Having proper community resources, like caregiver support groups and adult day care centers in local area were always handy to have for families.