Improving activity and engagement for patients with dementia

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Geriatric Care
• Nursing Practice

Background:

• Staff in acute hospitals face time constraints impacting patient and carer relationships.
• Lack of stimulation for dementia patients in hospitals leads to poor engagement.
• Existing challenges in acute care settings necessitate innovative approaches to dementia care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present case studies of improved dementia care in acute hospitals.
• To highlight strategies for enhancing staff-patient relationships in dementia care.
• To demonstrate the impact of specific interventions on patient engagement.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of bay nursing, assigning one nurse and a healthcare assistant to a bay for a shift.
• Establishment of an activity room with a trained worker for dementia patients.
• Focus on creating a stimulating and social environment for patients with dementia.

Main Results:

• Bay nursing provides dedicated time for nurses to connect with dementia patients.
• Activity rooms offer a relaxed setting for social interaction and engagement.
• These interventions aim to improve the overall quality of care for hospitalized dementia patients.

Conclusions:

• Bay nursing and dedicated activity programs are effective strategies for improving dementia care.
• Enhanced patient engagement and staff-patient relationships are key outcomes.
• These models offer practical solutions for acute care settings managing dementia patients.