A home health client lives alone in a small apartment and has only one

A home health client lives alone in a small apartment and has only one phone, which is a land line. What safety recommendation might the visiting home health nurse make for this particular client?

1. Suggest that the client move to a nursing home or assisted living dwelling.
2. Recommend that the client be enrolled in an emergency response system.
3. Enroll the client in a program that places all the client’s vital medical information in one place for emergency personnel.
4. Have the client post a list of emergency numbers (fire, police, ambulance) near the phone.

ANSWER

Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: Making suggestions for the client to relocate may be a possibility, but this might be premature to suggest at this point.
Rationale 2: An emergency response system provides a small device with a help button that attaches to the client’s wrist or is worn around the neck. The client can send a signal to a home base which would indicate if the client is in trouble (i.e., has fallen or become ill) and can’t get to the phone. This system is particularly useful for clients who live alone.
Rationale 3: Having all of the client’s medical information in one place is a helpful ideabut does address the concern of effective means of communication.
Rationale 4: An emergency response system provides a small device with a help button that attaches to the client’s wrist or is worn around the neck. The client can send a signal to a home base which would indicate if the client is in trouble (i.e., has fallen or become ill) and can’t get to the phone. This system is particularly useful for clients who live alone. Making suggestions for the client to relocate may be a possibility, but this might be premature to suggest at this point. Having emergency numbers in a visible spot, is a helpful idea but does address the concern of effective means of communication.