Final answer:
When a client is diagnosed with mild dementia, the nurse should discuss long-term care planning and support with the family. This includes educating the family about the condition, safety and legal planning, and introducing them to available resources and support systems. Although end-of-life care and hospice may not be immediately relevant, initiating these discussions early can be beneficial for eventual care planning.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a client is diagnosed with mild dementia, in preparing for discharge, the nurse should discuss with the family about long-term care planning and support. This includes educating them on the progressive nature of dementia, available community resources, and identifying support systems and assistance that can help manage the condition. Discharge planning may also involve discussions about safety measures in the home, legal and financial planning, and the introduction to support groups for both the patient and the family.
Furthermore, while end-of-life care may seem premature at the stage of mild dementia, it is important to initiate conversations about advance directives and palliative care resources to ensure that the patient's wishes are honored throughout the course of their illness. However, bringing up topics like hospice care or acute care hospital readmission guidelines may be more relevant as the condition progresses or if there are other coexisting terminal illnesses.