Caring for a person with dementia in acute hospitals

Nursing a person with dementia with an acute illness in a hospital setting is a great challenge. This requires negotiating complex interpersonal relationships, and balancing a multiplicity of tasks and roles within social, political and economic constraints. A concerted effort by health professionals and hospital administration to provide appropriate staff education, a multidisciplinary approach, liaison with family carers and access to experts in psychogeriatrics as well as suitable ward environment are positive steps to improving care for a very vulnerable group of patients.