Hospitals and dementia

Background/Objectives
Dementia-friendly initiatives are becoming common in society, politics, and research, including health care. Regarding efforts to improve care for patients with dementia in hospitals, the term dementia-friendly hospital is being used increasingly. However, a theoretical understanding of this term and the underlying concept are missing. This integrative review aims to identify current descriptions of dementia-friendly hospitals and to analyze their characteristics.
Manietta, C., Purwins, D., Reinhard, A. et al. (2022) Characteristics of dementia-friendly hospitals: an integrative review. BMC Geriatr 22, 468

Acute hospitals, in particular the emergency department, can be disorienting for people living with dementia. As part of a larger project to improve care for people living with dementia, dementia-inclusive modifications were made to two emergency department bays in a large acute care hospital in Ireland. Modifications to spatial configuration included noise reduction, altered lighting and the addition of an orientation aid and fixed seating for relatives.
Bracken-Scally, M., Keogh, B., Daly, L., Pittalis, C., Kennelly, B., Hynes, G., Gibb, M., Cole, N., McMahon, C. G., Lawlor, B., McCarron, M., & Brady, A.-M. (2021). Assessing the impact of dementia inclusive environmental adjustment in the emergency department. Dementia, 20(1), 28–46.

Person-centred care is widely advocated when caring for people with dementia. When a person with dementia is admitted for hospital care, hospital wards are obliged to not only address the cause for admission but also provide dementia-specific care during the hospital stay. Research has shown that the delivery of person-centred care to people with dementia is often inadequate or absent in the hospital setting. Moreover, whilst registered nurses often wish to improve the in-hospital care of patients with dementia, there is evidence of experienced barriers. This study aimed to describe registered nurses’ experiences of facilitators for the delivery of person-centred care to inpatients with dementia.
Brossard Saxell, T., Ingvert, M., & Lethin, C. (2021). Facilitators for person-centred care of inpatients with dementia: A meta-synthesis of registered nurses’ experiences. Dementia, 20(1), 188–212.

The term dementia-friendly hospital is increasingly used to describe a variety of initiatives and strategies that are implemented to meet the challenges faced by patients with dementia during hospitalization. However, no definition of the dementia-friendly hospital currently exists. This qualitative focus group study aimed to describe stakeholders’ perspectives of the dementia-friendly hospital. Four stakeholder groups were included: people with dementia, relatives, hospital staff, and representatives from the Danish Alzheimer Association. The thematic analysis suggests that a person-centered approach is a key feature.
Toubøl, A., Moestrup, L., Ryg, J., Thomsen, K., & Nielsen, D. S. (2021). Stakeholder perspectives of the dementia-friendly hospital: A qualitative descriptive focus group study. Dementia, 20(5), 1501–1517.

Researchers have conducted a systematic review of non-pharmacological interventions for patients with dementia and cognitive impairment on regular wards in acute care hospitals (not intensive care units or emergency departments).
Karrer M, Schnelli A, Zeller A, Mayer H (2021) A Systematic Review Of Interventions To Improve Acute Hospital Care For People With Dementia. Geriatric Nursing 42(3) 657-673.

This audit tool, the EAT-Acute Care, focuses on acute care settings. It has been developed to enable a systematic review of ward environments and the creation of better hospital environments for patients living with dementia.

Being prepared for emergency and planned hospital visits can relieve some of that stress. This article suggests ways to help you prepare and tips for making your visit to the emergency room or hospital easier.

Considerations for looking after a patient with dementia in an acute care setting.

Navigating changes to care for people living with dementia can be complex and emotional. Our videos and other resources highlight the important role you play in supporting these transitions such as hospital stays.

There are many ways you can support a person with dementia during their stay in hospital, both emotionally and practically. If you find fault with their treatment, you can also make a complaint.