What is the priority nursing diagnosis for a client with Alzheimer's disease in home care settings?

In managing a client with Alzheimer's disease, the priority nursing diagnosis is often related to safety and the basic needs of the individual. Impaired swallowing can lead to serious complications such as aspiration pneumonia and malnutrition. Individuals with Alzheimer's may have difficulty coordinating the swallowing process, making it crucial to address this issue to prevent significant health risks.

By prioritizing impaired swallowing, nurses can implement strategies to ensure safe eating practices, monitor the client closely during meals, and potentially modify the diet to accommodate the client's needs. Addressing impaired swallowing directly impacts the patient's safety and overall well-being, which is critical in home care settings where monitoring may be less intensive than in a hospital.

While impaired verbal communication, confusion, and impaired memory are certainly important considerations in the care of a patient with Alzheimer's disease, they do not pose the immediate physical risks that impaired swallowing does. Managing these cognitive and communication challenges can follow once basic safety and nutrition are ensured.