Dementia Care

Dementia is a progressive condition that impacts people’s cognitive functions and it can be very complex. In the early stages a person with this condition may appear to be coping well, but find it difficult with their communication or memory, especially when out of their normal routine or in a strange place.

Symptoms of dementia include experiencing difficulty with memory, disorientation, speech and understanding.

Our dementia strategy addresses the issues dementia patients face and outlines UHCW NHS Trust’s approach to supporting patients.

Patients are supported by our dementia lead nurse and three clinical nurse specialists who are dedicated to ensuring patients feel safe and their relatives and carers are fully involved to ensure patients receive the care they need to return home as soon as possible.

To help support this, we have a ‘forget me not’ care bundle which is a proven set of interventions to help improve hospital stays for dementia patients.

The bundle can also be used for any patient that is frail, feels confused or has difficulty with communication.

What is included in the bundle approach?

• Relatives/carers of patients are asked to fill out a ‘getting to know me form’ [LINK to document] when a patient is admitted to our care to help us identify a patient’s likes or dislikes and ensure they feel safe and calm.
• Our teams use non-verbal body language and take a compassionate approach to communication to make patients feel at ease.
• Patients are provided with assistance with eating and drinking and menus can be adjusted to reduce the need for patients to use utensils.
• We ensure patient environments are calm, bright and useful signage is used, we use orientation clocks to help with vision impairment and sky blue pillowcases are used on patients’ beds to help staff identify if a patient needs extra support because of confusion or communication difficulties.

In addition, we have a team in the Trust called the dementia steering group that regularly reviews standards of dementia care, education and training for Trust staff and conducts clinical assessments across our sites.

There are a number of things friends and family members of dementia patients can do to support their loved one during their hospital stay.

• We encourage friends and family members to visit patients outside of normal visiting hours to provide them with reassurance and attend during meal times to help assist with food and drink. Please speak to area ward managers to make visiting arrangements.
• We ask you to fill out a ‘Dietary Information Form’ for patients to help us provide them with their preferred food types.
• Familiar objects and photos help dementia patients feel safe, so please do bring items in during your visit that can be placed at patient bedsides.
• Personal clothing, toiletries, hair products and make-up can help patients feel more comfortable, so please do arrange for them to be brought in during a patient’s stay. It is also important for patients to wear day clothes in waking hours to help orientate them to time.

To speak to members of our dementia team for informal advice and support, please use the details below.

Deborah Harris, Specialist Mental Health Nurse - Deborah.harris@uhcw.nhs.uk or 02476 963128.

Maria Beech, Clinical Nurse Specialist - Maria.beech@uhcw.nhs.uk or 02476 964998.

Rita Talbot, Clinical Nurse Specialist - Rita.Talbot@uhcw.nhs.uk or 02476 964998.

Community Care Services

Coventry: https://www.coventry.gov.uk/care-support

Warwickshire: https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/supportforadults

Alzheimer’s Society: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/