Question

A nurse in an adult day care is contributing to the development of treatment plans for older adult clients. Which of the following therapeutic strategies should the nurse use to help clients achieve Erickson's developmental task for this age group?

a) Encourage clients to focus solely on their physical health.
b) Support clients in exploring new career opportunities.
c) Assist clients in finding meaningful activities and relationships.
d) Discourage clients from participating in group activities.

Answer 1

The best therapeutic strategy for a nurse to help older adult clients achieve Erikson's developmental task of integrity versus despair is to assist them in finding meaningful activities and relationships.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the context of Erik Erikson's psychosocial development stages, the challenge older adults face is characterized by the task of achieving integrity versus despair. In an adult day care setting, the nurse should adopt therapeutic strategies that facilitate this developmental task. Therefore, the best strategy would be:

c) Assist clients in finding meaningful activities and relationships.

This is because by engaging clients in meaningful activities and helping them maintain or develop fulfilling relationships, the nurse supports the clients in reflecting positively on their lives, consequently fostering a sense of integrity and satisfaction. This approach aligns with a life review process beneficial in promoting psychological well-being in late adulthood.