A nurse is teaching a class at a local senior center regarding safety in the home. A client states, "I am afraid of falling because I live alone and have no one to help me." Which of the following statements should the nurse make?
Explanation & Rationale
Rationale: A. “You can obtain a personal response system that will be activated if you fall.": Personal emergency response systems (PERS) allow individuals who live alone to call for help immediately in case of a fall or emergency. B. “You need to move to a skilled nursing facility where they can prevent falls.": Moving to a skilled nursing facility is a major step and is not necessary solely due to fear of falling. It may also provoke anxiety or feelings of loss of autonomy, especially if less invasive alternatives are available. C. "You can have an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) come to your house daily to stay with you.": Daily UAP support may not be realistic or necessary for someone who is still generally independent. This level of care may be excessive unless the client has significant mobility or cognitive impairments. D. "You should contact a family member once a week to keep in touch.": While weekly contact with family can offer emotional support, it does not provide real-time assistance in the event of a fall. It’s not a sufficient solution for immediate safety concerns.