A 70-year-old patient who suffers from worsening dementia is no longer able to live alone.When discussing health care services and possible long-term living arrangements with the patient's only son,what should the nurse suggest?

A) An apartment setting with neighbours close by.
B) Weekly home health visits.
C) A nursing centre because home care is no longer safe.
D) That placement is irrelevant because the patient is retreating to a place of inactivity.

Some family caregivers consider nursing centre placement when in-home care becomes increasingly difficult,or when convalescence from hospitalization requires more assistance than the family is able to provide.An apartment setting and home health visits are not appropriate because older persons who cannot take care of themselves are not safe living alone at other times.Others are unable to engage in activities designed to benefit older persons such as senior health promotion activities (such as some health visits)and thus do not receive the benefits that these programs offer.Worsening dementia does not necessarily mean a retreat into inactivity,but it does require a realistic review of strengths and limitations.