Nurse's Pocket Guide

isk for LONELINESS
• Support expression of negative perceptions of others and
whether client agrees. Provides opportunity for client to
clarify reality of situation, recognize own denial.
• Accept client’s expressions of loneliness as a primary condition
and not necessarily as a symptom of some underlying
condition.
NURSING PRIORITY NO.3.To assist client to become involved:
• Discuss reality versus perceptions of situation.
• Discuss importance of emotional bonding (attachment)
between infants/young children, parents/caregivers as appropriate.
• Involve in classes, such as assertiveness, language/communication,
social skills, to address individual needs/enhance
socialization.
• Role play situations to develop interpersonal skills.
• Discuss positive health habits, including personal hygiene,
exercise activity of client’s choosing.
• Identify individual strengths, areas of interest that provide
opportunities for involvement with others.
• Encourage attendance at support group activities to meet
individual needs (e.g., therapy, separation/grief, religious).
• Help client establish plan for progressive involvement, beginning
with a simple activity (e.g., call an old friend, speak to a
neighbor) and leading to more complicated interactions/
activities.
• Provide opportunities for interactions in a supportive environment
(e.g., have client accompanied, as in a “buddy system”) during
initial attempts to socialize. Helps reduce stress, provides
positive reinforcement, and facilitates successful outcome.
NURSING PRIORITY NO. 4. To promote wellness (Teaching/
Discharge Considerations):
• Let client know that loneliness can be overcome. It is up to
the individual to build self-esteem and learn to feel good
about self.
• Encourage involvement in special-interest groups (e.g., computers,
bird watchers); charitable services (e.g., serving in a
soup kitchen, youth groups, animal shelter).
• Suggest volunteering for church committee or choir; attending
community events with friends and family; becoming
involved in political issues/campaigns; enrolling in classes at
local college/continuing education programs.
• Refer to appropriate counselors for help with relationships
and so on.
• Refer to NDs Hopelessness; Anxiety; Social Isolation.
Information in brackets added by the authors to clarify and enhance
the use of nursing diagnoses.
450 Cultural Collaborative Community/Home Care