Cognitive Reflection Test (CRT) Practice

What should be included in discharge teaching for a family caring for a member with Alzheimer’s disease?

1. Advise them to avoid engaging in difficult conversations

2. Suggest implementing a reward system for behaviors

3. Teach them how to address safety concerns within the home

4. Instruct them to regularly ask for the patient's input

The correct answer is: Teach them how to address safety concerns within the home

Focusing on addressing safety concerns within the home is crucial when caring for a member with Alzheimer’s disease. As the disease progresses, individuals can become disoriented and may face challenges with mobility, remembering routines, and understanding their environment. Teaching families about safety measures helps prevent accidents and promotes a safer living space. This can include securing medications, removing tripping hazards, installing safety locks, and ensuring that the environment is familiar and easy to navigate. Families need to understand the particular safety needs related to cognitive decline, which can mitigate the risk of injury and enhance the quality of care provided to the individual with Alzheimer’s. Other strategies, while they might have some merit, do not address the immediate and critical need for safety in the home environment. For example, avoiding difficult conversations can lead to frustration for both the caregiver and the individual with Alzheimer’s. Similarly, implementing a reward system may be more complex than beneficial, as it might not align with the realities of the individual's cognitive state. Regularly asking for the patient's input might not be effective either, as the cognitive abilities of someone with Alzheimer's can hinder their understanding or ability to provide relevant feedback. Thus, emphasizing a focus on safety is paramount in discharge teaching.