Family Change

Family change is alteration from the previous family experience or from the perceived normal family experience that occurs while managing chronic illness. Alteration may involve an adaptation or transition to a new life; an alteration in daily life, rituals, and routines; role changes; and/or an increase in responsibilities. CI may also cause a change in interpersonal relationships and/or a change in the personality of either the person experiencing the CI or a family member (Goetzke, Parks, & Peterson, 2015).

·        Affirm family strengths and competence

·        Distinguish illness and health beliefs

·        Create a context for change by developing collaborative relationships, identifying obstacles to change, and therapeutic conversations (Wright & Bell, 2009)

·        Explore constraining and facilitating beliefs

·        Use motivational interviewing techniques to develop discrepancy between current and potential of family approaches to managing the family experience of illness  (Rollnick, Miller, & Butler, 2008)

·        Coach ways to move toward healthy changes in individual and family health (Pender, Murdaugh,  & Parsons, 2006; Rollnick, Miller, & Butler, 2008)

·        Compare and contrast meanings of change (Denham, 2003)

·        Acknowledge the possibility of changes in roles, rituals, routines, schedules, activities, responsibilities, interpersonal relationships, personalities, geographic location, attention to personal caregiver needs, social involvement, and employment factors within the family health experience (Goetzke, Parks,  Peterson, 2014)