Final answer:
The nurse should offer empathetic and practical support to the adult child of the client with Alzheimer's, suggesting resources like respite care and support groups. Caregiver stress is a well-documented issue that can affect mental and physical health, highlighting the importance of finding support and managing caregiver burden effectively.
Step-by-step explanation:
A nurse's response to the adult child of a client with severe Alzheimer's disease who expresses concern about their ability to continue caregiving should be empathetic and supportive. The nurse could say, “It sounds like you’re facing some incredibly tough challenges. Taking care of someone with Alzheimer's is very demanding, and it's important to recognize when you need additional support. There are resources available such as respite care, which can give you a break, and caregiver support groups that can offer coping strategies and emotional support. Let’s explore some options that could help you manage this situation.” This response addresses the need for help and connects the caregiver with additional support resources without making assumptions about immediate safety concerns like combativeness, which may not be occurring at this time.
Research indicates that caregivers, including paid caregivers in nursing homes, are at a higher risk of becoming verbally abusive towards those in their care, particularly when they are experiencing burnout, low job satisfaction, or treating the elderly like children. Psychosocial Development theories emphasize the importance of finding meaning in life through work and family. For those caring for loved ones with dementia, caregiver stress can impact their mental and physical health, as indicated by studies such as the one showing a poorer antibody response to influenza virus vaccination among those caring for a spouse with Alzheimer's disease.