We continue a programme of work to make our wards more dementia friendly.
As wards are refurbished, they are coded with contrasting detail to make it easier for our patients to move around. Doors to each patient area match the colour of their bays (green doors for ‘green bay’) with toilet and washroom doors that are bright yellow in colour. Toilet seats are replaced with contrasting colours to ensure they are more visible and reduce the risk of falls.
Signage is key to help direct people with dementia to where they need to go e.g. toilets and away from areas they should not enter e.g. staff only areas. The dementia friendly work supports appropriate signage.
Flooring is carefully selected for both practical purposes and to minimise the risk of people misinterpreting surfaces, e.g., a shiny surface for water.
Careful consideration is given to artwork to avoid images that may cause visual perceptual difficulties (thinking an image is something it is not).
Information for friends and family
There are lots of things you can do to help when a friend or family member with dementia comes into hospital.
This is me
We know that everyone is different, so please let us know how best to care for your family member. Share as much as you can about what helps, what causes them to be unsettled, and please share stories / memories so that we can learn more about their life. The “This is me” booklet is invaluable to our staff when caring for our patients. It tells us a patient’s likes and dislikes and can provide vital information for us at a glance, if a patient becomes unsettled. The completed booklet will go with the patient if they are moved to another ward, or home with them when they are discharged. If your loved one comes home with one, please keep it safe and send it back into hospital with them if they are ever readmitted. It really is a great source of information for us.
Familiar things
We welcome you to bring in photographs, a book, word-search, sudoku, colouring, knitting, or anything that your loved one enjoys. Photographs can help us start up a conversation with our patients and they frequently enjoy telling us about their family or perhaps remember the event where the photograph was taken. Most things that bring familiarity are welcome. Please check with the nurse in charge if you want to bring something in that you may not be sure is permitted. Please clearly label any items brought in with the name of the person.
Clothing
We strive to keep life as normal as possible in hospital and for our patients to out of bed and dressed. Please, if you are able, could you bring in clean clothes for your loved ones so that we can get them up and dressed. They will also benefit from well-fitting footwear and their own toiletries.
End PJ Paralysis
Keeping people as active as possible whilst they are in hospital is really important please see more information on this campaign.
Mealtimes
We will welcome you in at mealtimes to help your loved one with their meal if they struggle to eat independently. Please speak to the nurse in charge regarding a Carer Passport.
Butterfly Scheme
The butterfly symbol (displayed with the patient or carers permission) represents a request for a specific care response and highlights to hospital staff to adapt their communication styles to match the patient’s abilities.
Legal matters
Please let us know if you have a lasting power of attorney or 'do not resuscitate' order in place. We do need to see the whole original document so we can take a copy for your loved one’s notes, and act on their wishes.
Feedback
We welcome your feedback and encourage you to fill in the friends and family questionnaire, or the postcard that can be given to you by one of our Associate Practitioners.
If you have any concerns, please speak to the nurse in charge so that we can address it promptly.
