Promoting Family Health
This would be a good time to reflect on promoting family health.
How Can Healthy Families be Described?
The following are characteristics of healthy families which were adapted from Otto (1963). Learn more about the health of your family by responding to the statement with Yes (if it describes your family) or No (if it does not describe your usual family life).
My family usually:
1) Provides for the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of family members Y N
2) Is sensitive to the needs of family members Y N
3) Demonstrates respect for all family members Y N
4) Communicates effectively Y N
5) Provides security, support, and affirmation Y N
6) Demonstrates family unity, loyalty and cooperation Y N
7) Is able to be flexible in family roles Y N
8) Is able to grow with and through children Y N
9) Can use a crisis as an opportunity for growth Y N
10) Can begin and maintain growth-producing relationships within and outside of the family Y N
11) Can maintain constructive and responsible relationships in the neighborhood and communities (civic, church, school) Y N
12) Can seek and accept help when necessary Y N
O.K. – What Now?
How did you do? What are strengths for your family? Congratulations on all the aspects of your family life that foster growth and development of the family as a whole and as individuals. Are there any areas you would like to change? As your Parish Nurses, we very much would like to assist you in any way we can. Please let us know if we can be of any help.
Parish Nurses, Marjorie Williams and Peggy Anderson
