# data[].attributes.body
When taking care of the veteran and their family members, is to remain unbiased in the situation. Remaining unbiased involves providing evidence-based care that is specifically tailored to the veteran’s individual needs and preferences. Doing this ensures that the care provided is effective, appropriate, and responsive to the veterans and their family members' unique circumstances.

# data[].attributes.body
When is comes to taking care of a Veteran, it is important to also take the time to get to know the family and assess their structure. This would ensure an effective teaching plan as the family's involvement in the care of the veteran can enhance treatment adherence and improve outcomes.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
It is vital to take time to assess the family's structure and style in order to formulate an effective teaching plan. Getting to know your patient's family and the role they will play in health care management will save a great deal of time in the long run. Treatment plans developed without input from the patient and family are often doomed to failure. As a result, the health care team spends valuable additional time going back to assess the family and often learn about strengths and barriers that were present all along. Both the patient and family members need to tell their story about the illness and the impact it is having on their lives. Try to give them time to share their perceptions about the problems the illness is causing. By taking time to listen to the patient and his family, you are building the trusting relationship that is the basis of patient and family teaching.

A good family assessment requires astute observation skills and the ability to be an active listener. Assessment data can be obtained anytime health care professionals interact with patients and families. Gathering information about family structure, function, and needs does not have to be restricted to structured interviews. Anytime the family is present; you can obtain more information about the family and their role in the patient's health care management. Informal conversations with the patient and family while you are passing medications, adjusting an intravenous rate, or giving a tube feeding can yield data that will help you complete the family picture. Table 9 shows areas of family assessment that are important to know. Learning the answers to these questions will help you immensely in developing an effective teaching-learning partnership with the patient and his or her family.

Table 9

What is the family like?

Who is considered part of the family?

What is the patient's position and role in the family?

Who has most influence on the patient?

What are the ages and sex of the family members?

What are their occupations?

What is the health status of family members?

Are there physical limitations that would affect a family member's ability to help with care needs?

What resources are available to the family?

Can the family provide for the patient's physical needs?

What is the patient's home like? Does it provide sufficient safety and comfort features?

What is the patient's ability to perform self-care?

What are the health insurance resources?

What neighborhood or community resources are available?

What connections does the family have with friends, neighbors, church, community organizations?

What are the family's educational background, lifestyle, and beliefs?

What is the level of education of the family members and their attitudes toward learning?

Do all family members have basic literacy skills?

Are there language barriers to verbal communication?

What is the family's lifestyle and cultural background?

Does the family have any folk medicine beliefs?

Are there potential conflicts between cultural beliefs and the recommendations of health professionals?

What are the family's normal dietary patterns?

Does the family seem to be able to take in new information easily and apply what was taught?

Does the family seem overwhelmed as a result of the need to learn new skills?

How does the family seem to function?

Do family members seem to be sensitive to the patient and to each other?

Do family members appear to be able to communicate effectively with each other?

Does the family indicate that they have the ability to accept help from others when it is needed?

How open does the family seem to teaching?

Do key family members have the ability to make effective decisions?

What experience does the family have in handling crisis situations?

How did the family react to crises in the past and what resources did they use to help them?

What is the family's understanding of the current health care problem?

What do they think has caused the health care problem?

Why do they think the problem occurred now?

What do they think the illness does to the patient?

How severe do they believe the illness is?

What kind of treatment do they think the patient should receive?

What are the most important results they think the patient should obtain from the treatment?

What are the major problems the illness has caused for the family?

What do they fear most about the situation?

What are the patient and family's teaching needs?

What do the patient and family think are the most important things they need to know?

Do the patient and family know others with the same health care problem?

Do the patient and family understand and agree with the treatment plan?

Are there any physical or cognitive limitations that will be barriers to learning?

Are the patient and family willing to negotiate goals with the health care team?

Are the patient's perceptions about what to do similar to the family's point of view?

Source: Rankin, S.H., & Stallings, K.D. (1996). Patient Education: Issues, Principles, Practices, 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott-Raven, 128-129.
Strategies for teaching family members

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
It is vital to take time to assess the family's structure and style in order to formulate an effective teaching plan. Getting to know your patient's family and the role they will play in health care management will save a great deal of time in the long run.

# data[].attributes.body
When nurses see family as a whole and not just parts of a whole, family means meeting the holistic care needs of the individual in ways that include family involvement. Having this mindset allows for better long-term care for the individual as nurses are able to look beyond immediate care.

# data[].attributes.body
When screening for TBI, if a veteran is found with substance abuse, then they are at an increased risk for TBI.

# data[].attributes.body
VA’s Polytrauma System of Care (PSC) helps with rehabilitation for veterans that have suffered from TBIs. Everyone recovers differently and PSC uses specialized medical, physical, cognitive, and psychosocial rehabilitation treatments to support the recovery goals of the persons injured and their caregivers.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
VA Polytrauma System of Care - Polytrauma/TBI System of Care

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Attention A T users. To access the menus on this page please perform the following steps. 1. Please switch auto forms mode to off. 2. Hit enter to expand a main menu option (Health, Benefits, etc). 3. To enter and activate the submenu links, hit the down arrow.

# data[].attributes.body
Blast injuries are categorized into 4 types: Primary blast(blast wave), Secondary blast(penetrating injuries), Tertiary blast(impact injuries), and Quaternary injuries(burns).

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
TBIs sustained in the Afghanistan and Iraq Wars

# data[].attributes.body
Spina bifida is a defect in the developing fetus that results in incomplete closing of the spine, is associated with Veterans' exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicides during qualifying service in Vietnam or Korea.

# data[].attributes.body
Veterans who were discharged during the Vietnam War are the largest group receiving DVA health care and compensation. Approximately 2.6 million men and women served in Vietnam from 1962 to 1975.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Agent Orange_Management of Patients Exposed in Vietnam

# data[].attributes.body
Agent Orange caused many diseases to occur within a year of being exposed to it and that the risk of developing related conditions generally increases with time. Due to these latent diseases showing up, many veterans are affected physically and mentally caused by the effects of being exposed to Agent Orange

# data[].attributes.body
The Nutrition and Food Services helps to provide comprehensive evidenced-based nutritional services for veterans and their families. Registered Dietitian Nutritionists serve as medical nutrition therapists and help to improve their health outcomes

# data[].attributes.body
Veterans Crisis Line is a resource that helps to recognize signs of crisis and allows easy access to professionals that can help. They have many ways of getting in contact with a professional who caters to each individual's needs. This resource is really helpful because they help not only help the veterans but also the family that supports them.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
24/7, confidential crisis support for Veterans and their loved ones. Contact the Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988 then Press 1, chat online, or text 838255.

# data[].attributes.body
Veteran Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated healthcare system in the United States. They provide care for 1,298 healthcare facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites, serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn how to apply for and manage VA health care benefits for Veterans. We offer primary and specialty Veterans health care services, including home health, geriatric (elder), women's health, and mental health care, as well as prescriptions.

# data[].attributes.body
In 1985, VA appointed the first Women Veterans Coordinators.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Historical Perspective of Women Veterans

# data[].attributes.body
At some point in a veterans' life, they are faced with their own mortality. Putting service over self is an important factor in any service. Due to this, the topic of death is common and often times joked about. It shouldn’t be seen as suicidal ideation but just the way of their thinking and coping with the burden.

# data[].attributes.body
The veteran population is predicted to decline from 20.8 million in 2015 to 12.0 million in 2045. It is seen to be declining but becoming more evenly distributed in age.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Veteran Population - National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Demographics for veterans by state, county, and congressional district