Question 1: Describe strategies for an open discussion at a family meeting 

            One of the strategies that can be used to open equitable discussion in the family will entail ensuring that all the family members are available. Once each issue has been tabled, each person should be given time to air his or her views. Next, whether a person comes up with any negative views, it should not be disregarded. In the process of inviting Laura-as a medical consultant- to aid in advising them about the best option to take, it will be possible for them to make sound-decisions (Avers & Wong, 2020). After that, whenever each decision can be made by each family member, it will not result in conflict regarding who will take care of whom. As a result of that, both of them will have enough time to handle their family issues without any difficulties.

Question 2: What approaches could help the Thomas family learn about possible placement options? 

            To solve the issues that exist in the family, the first option that was to be taken into consideration is the declining health of the grandparents.  First and foremost, Mr. Thomas is suffering from arthritis which in return renders him to be immobile. Although their children and grandchildren reside miles away from them, they always desire their company. By transferring their elder sister to the newly proposed health care facility will not prove to be the ultimate choice without her constant (Mollaoglu, 2018). That this implies is the fact that each member and the concerned health care personnel will have to be consulted first. The reason for that is because it is the one that will enable them to come to the conclusion that will not raise any conflict. Regardless of the need to transfer Arlene to a new state-run residential facility, it is important for the family to consider the impact their regular visit will induce to her (Schulz & Eden, 2016). The reason for that is because it should not be a routine that happens during holidays and birthdays only.

            The placement option that needs to be undertaken will entail accepting Arlene to be enrolled into a new state facility while their parents to be taken care of by Jim’s family. The idea behind that is that it will provide Arlene with enough time to be taken care of by Jim’s adolescent twin daughters. Conversely, by allowing Arlene to be enrolled in the new medical facility will enable her to obtain better medical care. Despite that, another approach that they will have to take into consideration will entail ensuring that they have maintained a regular visit to their sister (Arlene) so that so doesn’t fill isolated by her family members.

             The last approach will have to take into account the importance of ensuring that their dad receives regular medical attention regarding his arthritic condition (Theris &  Kathleen, 2019). Despite that, since Mr. Thomas is receiving a monthly pension, it is also important for them to consider utilizing a certain percentage of his pension to enroll Mrs. Thomas Alzheimer's care facility of their choice. In so doing, it will be possible for them to cut down the medical expenses that could have incurred in case they had enrolled their parent to the same medical care.

Question 3:  Identify social factors that might influence the Thomas family’s decision

            One of the social factors that will influence the decision of the family will entail ensuring that they have maintained close contact with each other. What this implies is the fact that instilling good sibling ties, intergenerational, and marital status will have the profound impact of influencing the well-being of each family member. The diversity of the family and the general quality of each family member will in return play a crucial role in enhancing the health of each family member, especially that of Arlene and her parents (Avers & Wong, 2020). In spite of the kind of medical option to be proposed, it will be vital to take into account the structure of each family, unanticipated benefits of the family-relationship strains, as well as the unique intersections that exist in their social statutes. Since the quality of health care services that each will receive is the one that will greatly impact their health, it should be understood that limited access or the lack of access of the proposed health services will also make Arlene and her parents to perceive that they could have been socially alienated (Eic & Chris, 2014).

             Conversely, such physical and social determinants have equally proven to be the ultimate choice for fostering the positive health outcomes of each patient. Availing the necessary resources that will cater for their daily needs will ensure that they will continue to have enough social support from their family members. Therefore, the provision of better housing facilities, for instance, is perceived to enhance their social interactions (Schulz & Eden, 2016). Due to the social gaps that exist, it is paramount for physicians to take into account the decision to be made by the family so as to ensure that each person doesn't feel burdened in catering for the health of their family members.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

Avers, D., & Wong, R. A. (2020). Guccione's geriatric physical therapy. St. Louis, Missouri : Elsevier

Eic, E & Chris, H. (2014). Health Inequalities and People with Intellectual Disabilities. Cambridge University Press. 

In Schulz, R., & In Eden, J. (2016). Families caring for an aging America. Washington, District of Columbia : The National Academies Press

Mollaoglu, M. (2018). Caregiving and home care. Rijeka: InTech.

Theris, A.T,&  Kathleen, F, J. (2019).  Ebersole & Hess' Toward Healthy Aging E-Book: Human Needs and Nursing Response. Elsevier Health Sciences