Question

Holly Smith is a 79-year-old resident with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Her AD has been getting worse, and her grown son, William, doesn't like that all of the doors to the facility where Holly lives are locked. He accuses the CNA of "imprisoning" his mother and demands an explanation. What should the CNA say?

A. The nursing assistant should say nothing. It is not her responsibility to talk to family members.
B. "Mr. Smith, for heaven's sake, we're taking care of your mother, not imprisoning her!"
C. "Don't get angry with me! Your mom's Alzheimer's is progressing and it is getting much worse."
D. "Mr. Smith, I hear that you are upset. I cannot comment on your mother's care. Would you like to speak with the nurse?"

Answer 1

The CNA should respond with professionalism and empathy to William's concerns, redirecting him to the nurse for a more in-depth discussion about his mother Holly's care and the safety measures in place at the Alzheimer's care facility.

Step-by-step explanation:

When approached by William regarding his concerns about the locked doors and the perception of imprisoning his mother, Holly, who has Alzheimer's disease, the proper response from a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) would be option D: "Mr. Smith, I hear that you are upset. I cannot comment on your mother's care. Would you like to speak with the nurse?" This response acknowledges William's emotional state, clarifies the CNA's role in communication, and provides a pathway for William to get the information he is seeking from a more appropriate source.

It is essential for CNAs to communicate with professionalism and empathy, and recognize that family members, like William, may grapple with guilt, sadness, or anger when navigating the complexities of care for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease.