A 67-year-old male client comes to the clinic for an evaluation. When obtaining the client's history, a report of which finding would the nurse identify as a common age-related issue?

A. Arrange a family meeting to organize supervision for the client:

This option focuses on organizing supervision for the client, assuming that the client requires constant monitoring to prevent falls. While involving family members in the care plan is important, arranging a family meeting might not be the priority until the nurse understands the client's perspective on the falls and explores potential solutions.

B. Elicit what the client perceives to be the causes of and potential solutions to the falls:

This option prioritizes communication with the client to understand their perspective on the falls, including what factors they believe contributed to the falls and what solutions they envision. It respects the client's autonomy and allows them to actively participate in their care planning, which can lead to more effective fall prevention strategies.

C. Investigate what community resources may be appropriate and available:

While community resources can be valuable for supporting older adults, investigating them may not be the priority until the nurse has assessed the client's specific needs and preferences regarding fall prevention. Understanding the client's perspective and potential solutions should come first to tailor the use of community resources accordingly.

D. Perform a comprehensive musculoskeletal assessment of the client:

While assessing musculoskeletal status is important for understanding factors that could contribute to falls, conducting a comprehensive assessment may not be the immediate priority. Instead, focusing on communication with the client to understand their perspective and potential solutions should come first to inform the assessment and subsequent interventions effectively.

A. Counsel to discuss financial situation with the health care provider: This option is reasonable as discussing financial concerns with the healthcare provider can lead to insights into available resources, assistance programs, or alternative care options. However, the healthcare provider may not have specific knowledge about financial assistance programs or community resources.

B. Refer to social services to explore support available: This is the most appropriate choice. Social services departments within hospitals typically have staff who specialize in helping patients and families navigate financial issues, including identifying available support programs, assistance with insurance coverage, and connecting them with community resources that can help alleviate financial burdens related to healthcare.

C. Discuss selling assets: While selling assets might be a consideration in some situations, it should not be the first option discussed without exploring other avenues for financial assistance or support. It's important to consider the implications of asset liquidation and to explore other options first.

D. Reassure the family that the facility will absorb the costs: It is unlikely that the facility will absorb all costs, especially if the family does not have adequate insurance coverage. It is essential to provide accurate information and explore available resources rather than offering false reassurance.