New horizons for caring for people with dementia in hospital: the DEMENTIA CARE pointers for service change

• DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afac190
• Publication Date: 2022-09-04T17:58:55Z
• Authors: Rebecca A Abbott; Morwenna Rogers; Ilianna Lourida; Colin Green; Susan Ball; Anthony Hemsley; Debbie Cheeseman; Linda Clare; Darren Moore; Chrissey Hussey; George Coxon; David J Llewellyn; Tina Naldrett; Jo Thompson Coon
• Keywords: Best practice

Abstract Approximately two-thirds of hospital admissions are older adults and almost half these likely to have some form dementia. People with dementia not only at an increased risk adverse outcomes once admitted, but the unfamiliar environment routinised practices wards acute care can be particularly challenging for them, heightening their confusion, agitation distress further impacting ability optimise care. It is well established that a person-centred approach helps alleviate stress how embed this in acute-care setting remains challenge. In article, we highlight challenges been recognised area put forward set evidence-based ‘pointers service change’ help organisations delivery The DEMENTIA CARE pointers cover areas of: awareness understanding, education training, modelling by clinical leaders, adapting environment, teamwork (not being alone), taking time ‘get know’, information sharing, access necessary resources, communication, involving family (ask family), raising profile care, engaging volunteers. extend previous guidance, recognising importance ward cultures prioritise institutional support actively seeks raise provide range simple more complex actions or hospitals implement approaches; however, embedding them within organisational next