When POA / Family ask for information

[ricksy]

One of (my) LTC facility families, specifically the POA, had recently confided in me that he was questioning himself as to the need to continue to have his loved one in a facility and not at home with him. I directed him to have a consult with the physician and social worker. He later came to me to tell me that he had a direct consult with the doctor and the doctor told him "in this case, if it were my parent, I would access home health." I had felt this way too, but did not verbalize. He then asked if I knew where to begin his search. I am brand new nurse and told him again to follow up with social worker. I knew of a great place in town that offers home health care and a variety of options. What is my scope of practice here? Brand new nurse asking??? Thanks in advance for insights.

[chrisrn24]

I think you did the right thing. Follow up with social work. They can recommend places.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

No matter what a personal thought would be, always refer to Social Work. Unfortunetely, if you were to suggest this home health company and something goes wrong, sometimes family can say "well, the nurse in the LTC suggested you", and you never want to be in that position. Further, if some of the family feels one way, and the POA feels another, that is getting you involved in family dynamics that you needn't be. Finally, a switch to 24 hour care to home health is not simple, and in order to have all bases covered, the social worker can help the POA with all of the questions that come along with that.

In my opinion, you should also limit what you discuss with the rest of the family regarding this as well. It is important that you remain impartial, and that you don't share information that perhaps you should not share.

Additionally, there are some LTC facilities who can discipline nurses who suggest that residents leave their care. So while it may seem confusing, and that you are trying to advocate for your patient, you are advocating for your patient suggesting another discipline be involved in this process.