23rd February
A new leaflet is launched today by Alzheimers Society at Bristol
Royal Infirmary aimed at helping hospital staff better understand
the needs of people with dementia.
'This is me is a simple and practical tool that carers can give
to staff when a person with dementia goes into hospital. It
gives an insight into the person's world beyond the diagnosis -
life history and family background - so staff have a full picture
of the individual they are looking after. It also contains
information that can make it easier to give person centred care for
a person with dementia while they are in an unfamiliar
environment - for example, what they like to eat and drink,
what name they like to be called by, if they have a tendency to
walk about, what might make the person agitated and helps them to
relax.
A person with dementia may not be able to communicate their
needs, for example that they find chewing difficult or are
vegetarian. Telling staff in advance about their needs can make all
the difference to their care including in preventing malnutrition
and dehydration.
Derek Dominey, Chairman at Alzheimer's Society Bristol and South
Gloucestershire branch, says,
Going into hospital can be frightening and stressful time for
anyone, but far worse for a person with dementia when they are
taken out of their familiar surroundings into a busy, noisy place
that they may not recognise.
We are pleased to be working with University Hospitals Bristol
NHS Foundation Trust to improve quality of care for people with
dementia. We hope This is me will support staff to provide the best
possible person centred dementia care, by helping them to get to
know the individual and understand their needs.
Jane Buswell, Nurse Consultant Care of Older People, at
University Hospitals Bristol says,
University Hospitals Bristol is constantly working to improve
the quality of the care we provide to all of our patients,
including those who are experiencing dementia.
Productive wards and protected mealtimes, to ensure patients are
able to have their nutrition needs met, are just two of the
initiatives we are currently rolling out across the
Trust.
As part of our commitment to implementing the recommendations in
The National Dementia Strategy we are pleased to be able to work
with Alzheimer's Society in launching the This is me leaflet in
Bristol.
Kerry McCarthy MP for Bristol East, says,
"I welcomed Alzheimer's Society's 'Counting the Cost'
report for highlighting that, while we are making significant
improvements in the standard of care for people with dementia,
there is always more to be done, and it's great their research
included the views of NHS staff and carers. Improving the care of
people with dementia in general hospitals is a key part of the
government's National Dementia Strategy, and the report makes clear
why this is so important."
The Counting the Cost Hospital Report revealed that 89 per cent
of nurses find working with people with dementia very or quite
challenging. Particular areas of concern highlighted by nursing
staff were responding to unusual behaviour, such as walking about
and communicating with the person with dementia.
