Mr Vincent Brody is a 71-year-old man who lives with his 66-year-old-wife Mrs Thora Brody in their family home in a quiet suburb in Hobart, Tasmania. They have one daughter who is in her mid-forties...

Mr Vincent Brody is a 71-year-old man who lives with his 66-year-old-wife Mrs Thora Brody in their family home in a quiet suburb in Hobart, Tasmania. They have one daughter who is in her mid-forties and lives in NSW. Mr Brody has continued to smoke one to two packets of cigarettes a day for 50 years. He was diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) two years ago and has just been admitted to hospital with his first acute exacerbation of the illness. Mrs Brody has suffered from rheumatoid arthritis since her early thirties and to date has been well managed by her GP and specialist although caring for her husband is increasing her frailty. Mr and Mrs Brody’s daughter flies in from NSW to provide support to her parents.
Mr Brody is now six days post admission and has been transferred from the medical ward to rehabilitation. The acute exacerbation of COPD is under control with oxygen therapy and medications and he is almost ready for discharge. The Discharge Nurse organises a multidisciplinary team meeting with Mr Brody's wife and daughter and the discharge plan is forwarded to the couple's GP. An appointment with the GP is made to discuss Mr Brody’s condition and how his oxygen therapy and his ongoing care might be managed in the home environment. Mr Brody is then discharged home.
Two days later Mr and Mrs Brody visit the GP. It quickly becomes apparent to the GP that this elderly couple require a number of community based services to assist Mrs Brody with managing Mr Brody’s oxygen therapy and his hygiene and dietary needs.


Question Week 7: As a Community Nurse, you receive a referral to visit Mr Brody post-discharge. What will be the focus of your interventions?