Improving care for patients with dementia


In addition to being the first acute trust to employ a person with dementia as a trainer, the Trust’s dementia care team are leading the way in improving hospital care for patients with dementia, with support from Imperial College Healthcare Charity. They have:


· ·


implemented the use of carers’ passports, with the help of John’s Campaign. The passports make it easier for carers to be on the ward outside visiting hours, enabling them to work in partnership with our staff.


redesigned Witherow ward at St Mary’s Hospital to actively support patients with dementia, including: – specialist lighting which mimics changes in natural light to help prevent patients becoming confused about the time of day


– a social area where patients can eat their meals together and which is painted orange to help stimulate appetite, as many patients with dementia do not eat enough


– pictures chosen by the patients and hung over their beds to help them with orientation


· Dianne Campbell


– clocks from the Alzheimer’s Society that tell the time and date, which are known to help patients with dementia.


rolled out the Nutritional Support in Hospital (NoSH) programme offering specialised support to ensure patients with dementia are eating and drinking enough while in hospital, including ‘bento boxes’ which offer healthy snacks on demand.


Autumn 2016


Pulse/ 11


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