The wife of a client diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease shares with th

The wife of a client diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease shares with the home health nurse that, “We always went to church on Wednesday evenings. I miss that a lot.”

Which of the following statements made by the nurse has the greatest therapeutic value at this time?
1. “Was religion as important to your husband as well?”
2. “Please tell me more about the role religion plays in your lives.”
3. “May I help arrange for a sitter so you can attend church services again?’
4. “Attending church services has always been very important to me as well.”

ANSWER

ANS: 3
Encourage caregivers to participate in spiritual behaviors or practices (e.g., prayer, attending reli-gious services) to enhance spiritual well-being when appropriate. Since the client has introduced the wish to attend services, it is appropriate for the nurse to make a suggestion to help that hap-pen. Some of the remaining options do encourage the caregiver to discuss the couple’s spiritual needs but do not directly deal with the verbalized need. The final option is merely the nurse’s statement of religious practice.