Dementia care

Support for patients and carers

Environment. We aim to provide a dementia friendly environment by using visible signage, familiar artwork, appropriate flooring, and consider the needs of patients with dementia when the planning of refurbishments takes place.

Communication. We actively promote the use of health passports to support the care of individuals with dementia. The Alzheimer’s passport This is Me is commonly used.

Education and training. The Trust provides a dementia awareness course for all Trust staff including volunteers. The course is designed to offer an insight into dementia, how the hospital environment impacts on this, and how staff can support people with dementia who are in their care.

Help us to help your loved one

• Bring a copy of the patient’s dementia/hospital passport with them when they visit hospital. If you haven’t got one ask a member of staff
• If they are admitted to hospital bring their medications/medication list with them
• If you need reasonable adjustments making to your care to support your hospital care, please contact the Matron for Patient Experience or speak to the hospital staff
• Share a patient story with us about the treatment your loved one has received, or tell us about your experiences of the Trust as a carer
• Complete a carers’ questionnaire which will help us to improvement the quality of care of patients with dementia

John’s Campaign

The Trust has signed up to John’s Campaign which supports the carers of people with dementia to stay with their loved ones throughout their hospital stay.

If you would like to support your loved one whilst they are in hospital please speak to the nurse in charge of their care. For further information visit John’s Campaign.

Twiddle muffs: do you or your friends enjoy knitting?

We are grateful for any volunteers that would like to support “twiddle muffs” which aim to lessen agitation for people with dementia and Alzheimer’s. The knitting pattern is available here.

Make a practical donation

We aim to provide carers that are supporting patients with additional needs with comfort items such as hand wipes, tooth brush, toothpaste, etc. We rely on donations of these items to make up comfort packs. If you would like to donate, please contact the Matron for Patient Experience  on 01704 704094.