And how they affect the family Family Crises And how they affect the family

Physical Health Problems Major illnesses – such as cancer Injuries or disabilities – broken bones, paralysis

Mental Health Problems Harder to recognize “Does the person function normally on a daily basis?” “Do the person’s actions routinely hurt or trouble others?” Some need professional help- best if the person affected asks for help themselves.

How it Affects the Family Family routines and schedules are changed Household tasks may have to be altered May lead to financial difficulties because of medical costs Family members may begin to resent the family member who is ill.

Alcohol and Drug Addictions Addiction – a dependence on a particular substance or action. It is a mental and sometimes a physical illness. Alcohol takes control slowly. Person drinks more often, sometimes alone, in the morning or to face a certain situation.

Affects on the Family embarrassment and frustration at the unpredictable behavior worry about the person’s health children feel abandoned fear of being hurt by abuser’s violent actions abuser neglect family and personal responsibilities

Family Violence physical force used to harm someone or something occurs in 1 out of every 2 homes each year police consider family violence one of the most dangerous calls to answer abuser always has a reason why they did it

Violent behavior is learned and passed from one generation to another Partner Abuse – occurs in 1 out of every 4 homes Some spouses stay because they feel that they can not make it on their own

Child Abuse Neglect – failure to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, supervision and medical care Emotional Abuse – a pattern of behavior that attacks the child’s emotional development and sense of worth

Physical Abuse – inflecting burns, cuts or bruises Sexual Abuse – lures a child to be a part of some sexual activity Intervention may be the only thing that saves a person from a life time of anguish or death

Death is as natural as birth may be something one knows is coming – family member with a terminal illness or unexpected – as an auto accident

Grieving emotional and physical feelings that are painful as a result of the death of someone close to us.

Process of Grieving 1. Shock and Numbness- Denial- busy themselves with purposeless activities 2. Reality Sinks In – depression and anxiety are common 3. Recovery – face and bear the loss and accept the loss as final up to 2 years – parent 4 to 6 years – spouse 8 to 10 years – child

Helping Family Cope View the body Do not make family members feel ashamed for crying Do not make important decisions if it can be delayed Talk about the person – remember the good times with that person Seek support from family and friends

Helping Children Understand Up to age 4 – not understand what is happening – they need to feel that they are still loved Ages 4 -7 – Children see death as temporary and reversible

Ages 7 – 10 – Understand that death is final, but think body functions remain. Feel it happens to other families, not theirs After age 10 – come to realize death is final and will happen to everyone Children need to talk about it. They need simple answers they can understand at their age level.