A patient with left hemiparesis is being discharged and the therapist has been unable to obtain cooperation from the family to instruct them in transfers, bed mobility and safety precautions. The MOST appropriate action is to:

A patient with left hemiparesis is being discharged and the therapist has been unable to obtain cooperation from the family to instruct them in transfers, bed mobility and safety precautions. The MOST appropriate action is to:

• A. Educate the patient so she can tell others how to assist her
• B. Write a home program and give it to the family
• C. Contact social services and arrange for a team and family meeting
• D. Refer the patient for home care and document appropriate interventions

Answer: (C)

Coordinated discharge planning with the family is essential when there are barriers to instruction and safe home care. Bringing in social services to arrange a team and family meeting ensures all key players—therapy staff, nursing, social work, and the family—can jointly assess the home environment, caregiver burden, and available resources. This multidisciplinary discussion helps identify and address obstacles, finalize a safe plan for transfers, bed mobility, and safety precautions, and determine if in-home services or equipment are needed. Without this collaborative approach, instructions to the patient or a generic home program may not translate into safe, practical care at home, and a formal plan may fail to address the family’s concerns or limitations. Therefore, initiating a team meeting with the family through social services is the most appropriate next step.

Coordinated discharge planning with the family is essential when there are barriers to instruction and safe home care. Bringing in social services to arrange a team and family meeting ensures all key players—therapy staff, nursing, social work, and the family—can jointly assess the home environment, caregiver burden, and available resources. This multidisciplinary discussion helps identify and address obstacles, finalize a safe plan for transfers, bed mobility, and safety precautions, and determine if in-home services or equipment are needed. Without this collaborative approach, instructions to the patient or a generic home program may not translate into safe, practical care at home, and a formal plan may fail to address the family’s concerns or limitations. Therefore, initiating a team meeting with the family through social services is the most appropriate next step.