Heritage Assessment Tool

Interview an older member of your family. Use the Heritage Assessment Tool found in Appendix B, page 276 of your textbook as a starting point for your interview. Summarize what practices your family member used to maintain, protect and restore health. (Include one example)

Your paper should be: One (1) page. Typed according to APA style for margins, formatting, and spacing standards.

Interview Summary of Health Practices in an Older Family Member

For this assignment, I interviewed my grandmother, who is 78 years old. Using the Heritage Assessment Tool as a guideline, I explored her health maintenance, protection, and restoration practices.

Health Maintenance Practices

My grandmother emphasizes the importance of a balanced diet and regular exercise. She believes that consuming a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins helps her maintain her health. For example, she prepares meals that include seasonal vegetables and prefers home-cooked meals over processed foods. She also participates in a weekly senior exercise class that includes stretching and light aerobics. This not only keeps her physically fit but also provides social interaction with peers, which she values greatly.

Health Protection Practices

To protect her health, my grandmother follows preventive measures such as regular health check-ups and vaccinations. She visits her healthcare provider for annual physicals and receives flu shots every year. Additionally, she has made it a habit to stay informed about health issues that affect older adults, which allows her to make proactive decisions regarding her health. For instance, she reads health articles and listens to health-related podcasts to keep up with the latest recommendations.

Health Restoration Practices

When it comes to restoring her health, my grandmother believes in the power of natural remedies. For instance, when she feels under the weather, she often relies on herbal teas, such as ginger or chamomile, to soothe her symptoms. She also emphasizes the importance of rest and relaxation, using meditation and deep-breathing exercises to alleviate stress. These practices not only help her recover from minor illnesses but also contribute to her overall sense of well-being.

Conclusion

My grandmother’s health practices focus on maintenance through diet and exercise, protection via preventive care, and restoration using natural remedies. These practices reflect her cultural values and her belief in the importance of a holistic approach to health.

References

Pender, N. J., Murdaugh, C. L., & Parsons, M. A. (2015). Health Promotion in Nursing Practice. Boston, MA: Pearson. https://www.pearson.com/store/p/health-promotion-in-nursing-practice/P100000000462
Taylor, S. G., & Lillis, C. (2021). Fundamentals of Nursing: The Art and Science of Person-Centered Care. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer. https://shop.lww.com/Fundamentals-of-Nursing/p/9781975131168
McGowan, J. E., & Wright, M. A. (2018). Evidence-Based Practice for Nursing: Appraisal and Application of Research. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company. https://www.springerpub.com/evidence-based-practice-for-nursing-9780826160072.html

Heritage Assessment Tool