Final answer:
An OTR must assess the patient's capabilities, consult with family, and evaluate the support system and living conditions to establish a safe discharge plan for a patient with moderate dementia. This process is critical for ensuring patient safety and promoting independence post-discharge.
Step-by-step explanation:
An Occupational Therapist Registered (OTR) has several responsibilities when collaborating with an inpatient who has moderate dementia to develop a discharge plan. The primary responsibility is ensuring the safety and well-being of the patient upon discharge. This includes conducting thorough assessments to understand the patient's capabilities, consulting with the patient (as much as possible) and family members, and considering environmental factors to recommend the safest discharge location, whether it be the patient's home with modifications and supports, an assisted living facility, or a more intensive care setting.
The OTR must also consider the patient's potential for improvement, the support system available, and the risk of injury or decline, while also facilitating care transition by coordinating with other healthcare professionals and services that will provide ongoing support post-discharge. This phase of client-centered intervention planning is crucial as it helps to promote the highest level of independence for the individual with dementia and aims to prevent potential complications associated with unsuitable living conditions.