The nurse is caring for an elderly client with dementia. The family wishes to take the client home instead of placing her in an assisted living facility. Which information should the nurse include in his discharge teaching? Select all that apply.
the names of community resources that can help families who provide care at home
that the health care provider will not be happy that the client is going to live at home
the advantages of having the client cared for in an assisted living facility instead of at home
the contact information for the social worker in case the family has questions or needs after returning home
home safety information, such as removing trip hazards and having adequate lighting at night for the client
Numbers 1, 4, and 5 are correct.
The nurse should provide information regarding client safety, as well as community resources available to the family. Providing a list of community resources will likely contain many agencies that the family is not aware of that can help them. A social worker’s contact information is good to provide in case the family needs further assistance or decides to utilize home health to help the client with ADLs. Home safety is key, and the family may not be aware of all the potential hazards that the client may encounter. The nurse should address handrails in bathrooms, adequate lighting at night, avoiding the rugs since they are a fall hazard, and securing medications and chemicals. A home assessment may be conducted by a home health nurse if home health is ordered. The nurse should not tell the family that the health care provider will be unhappy or upset at their decision. The family has the ultimate right to do what they feel is best for the client, and only they understand how their financial and living situation affects how they will care for the client. Likewise, being too aggressive in pointing out the advantages of assisted living belittles the family’s choice and implies that they are incapable of making a good decision for the client.
