Advice for family, friends and carers to support people with dementia admitted to hospital
We have heard about the experiences of people with dementia being admitted to hospital. This article provides guidance about support available.
How do people with dementia experience hospital?
Going to hospital, whether it is a planned or unplanned admission, can be a frightening and disorientating experience for people living with dementia. The complex needs of a person with dementia can present specific challenges in the hospital environment which may impact upon their care. These include problems with communication, increased periods of inactivity impacting negatively on physical and mental health, and increased disorientation.
There are currently over 10,000 people living with dementia in East Sussex. People living with dementia can be more vulnerable to injuries and illness than those without dementia, which means they may require more hospital treatment and the length of time they stay in hospital tends to be longer.
Tips to support a loved one with dementia
The Alzheimer’s Society have some top tips for family, friends and carers to help support their loved one during a hospital stay, including:
- Ask what support the hospital can offer people with dementia
- Share information about the person with dementia
- Provide comfort and reassurance to the person
- Learn to recognise delirium in a person with dementia
- Support the person with dementia to eat and drink
- Help the staff to manage the pain the person may be feeling
- Support the person if they are walking about
How do hospitals support people with dementia?
East Sussex Hospital Trust (ESHT) have produced an information resource for family, friends and carers of people living with dementia. They recommend that carers let staff know that the person they care for has dementia, and that they ask to speak to the Registered Nurse who will oversee the person’s care. They also encourage families to complete the ‘Reach Out To Me’ or ‘This is me’ form, that can help to promote a person-centred approach to care whilst at hospital.
ESHT also support John’s Campaign by recognizing that a person with dementia has the right to be supported in hospital by their loved-one at whatever time is right for them.
If families need any further information or support, they can contact the Dementia Care Team, who support the care and needs of people with dementia whilst in hospital, on 0300 131 5515 for patients admitted to Eastbourne District General Hospital, or 0300 131 4898 for patients admitted to Conquest Hospital.
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