Final answer:
To alleviate caregiver stress, the home health nurse should arrange for respite care, offer positive reinforcement and support, and discuss the benefits of hospice care, while avoiding unethical practices such as the use of restraints.
Step-by-step explanation:
The home health nurse could suggest a variety of strategies to alleviate the caregiver's stress. Most prominently, arranging for respite care can provide the wife with much-needed breaks, giving her time to rest and recharge. Additionally, the nurse can offer positive reinforcement and support, acknowledging the wife's hard work and dedication. Importantly, teaching the client self-care is less viable due to the progressive nature of Alzheimer's, and the use of restraints is not an ethical or supportive approach to this situation. Instead, the nurse might discuss the benefits of hospice care, which has been shown to not only aid the patient but also reduce the family member's burden of care, while providing emotional support, enhanced family and social support, and improved coping mechanisms for all involved.
Considering that previous research has highlighted the damages of chronic stress among caregivers, such as a poor antibody response to vaccinations and an increased risk of caregiver burnout and abuse, it is vital to address caregivers' well-being. Training and education can also play crucial roles in enabling caregivers to provide effective care while maintaining their health.