Family Values Paper
Cynthia Dulaney Rucker
NUR/542 Version 2
April 2, 2012
Melinda Church

Family Values Paper Family Values Family is a term that is defined by each family member in different ways, it is based on someone’s personal belief, expectation, and experiences. The family role in the health care setting can vary based on the patient’s condition. In the dialsysis unit the families play a large role especially, for those individuals whom lose his or her ability to provide self-care and make self-care decisions. As a health care provider it is important to understand and remember that even though every day realities of families such as emotions, attitudes, perceptions, and beliefs are essential in the study of family and current family theory.
Family System/Concept of Family For a family system to have a positive role in a dialysis facility, the family must serve as a system in support of the individual family member. The family often plays a role in assisting in the plan of care, as the individual suffering from kidney disease will have the support system needed in caring for themselves and will not have to serve as the sole provider of self- care. In some cases the ill individual cannot play a role in self-care. The family can play a role in the individual’s recovery by coming together as one to support healing, or simply identifying, and achieving individual health goals. All individuals in the dialysis unit develop a plan of care with the assistance of a multi- disciplinary team, including the patient, family members, dietitian, nursing, physicians, and social work. In some cases change is dialysis modalities decisions must be made primarily based on known individual wishes or documents, and the support of the family. Even when a patient in the dialysis unit has an opportunity to voice their concerns