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Dementia Care

Bedford Hospital

Dementia Care at Bedford Hospital

Over 845,000 people in the UK have a diagnosis of dementia and it is reported that 25% of all hospital beds will be occupied by a patient with a type of dementia.

At Bedford Hospital we are committed to supporting people with dementia and their carers, to enable them to live well with Dementia.

Yvonne.weldon@ldh.nhs.uk  Tel: 07816366320

Sarah.gray@ldh.nhs.uk   Tel: 07816366313

‘Dementia Champions’ are staff who have received additional training in dementia care, they are available in most departments and wards.

This is Me

The ‘This is Me’ booklet is a booklet that we ask the carer to complete for us. This could be the main carer, or a family member who knows the person best. The information gives a short biography of the person with Dementia. It enables staff to use this information to support communication, distractions, understanding likes and dislikes whilst providing an insight into the person. This information can help staff better understand how they can care for a patient should the person become agitated or anxious in a more familiar and reassuring way.

‘This is Me’ document.

Activities and Equipment

Ward areas are continuously gathering items and equipment to use as part of distraction and stimulation therapy for the person with Dementia. This helps staff and volunteers engage in meaningful activities with the person with Dementia, we are encouraging carers to utilise the various equipment we have, to offer a more stimulating environment.

‘Johns Campaign’

As a Trust we have fully supported this national campaign. We appreciate this is a difficult time for carers and relatives, and fully understand the importance of your continued support for the person living with Dementia while they are in hospital.

People with Dementia may find it difficult to adapt to unfamiliar surroundings and faces, therefore we try to offer the main carer the chance to have unrestricted visiting. This enables the carer to be present at a time that is convenient for them and enables them to offer support to the person with Dementia, giving advice/guidance and help to staff, should they wish to.

This is supported with a Carers Pack, which offers concessions with parking fees and a discount at the hospital restaurants.

If you need to know more about this, please ask the Ward Sister/Charge Nurse or contact the Dementia Nurse.

Dementia Care Project

The Dementia Care Project is a project which enables us to provide the right equipment and stimulation activities for patients with Dementia. It will encourage them to stay as active and independent as possible even though they are in hospital. The aim is to help them recover better and be well enough to go home. The project relies on volunteers and staff to engage in interactive stimulation through Music, craft or simple chatting and reminiscence. Some wards have an activities co-ordinators who offer various groups and 1:1 sessions.

Herbert Protocol

Working with Bedfordshire Police, we are pleased to share their information gathering checklist to help assist with caring for individuals with Dementia.

The ‘Herbert Protocol’ is a short online form designed to help those suffering from Dementia, and offer peace of mind for their families. Should your vulnerable family member with dementia wander we have all the right tools to help find them efficiently and safely. Please download the form below.

Useful Links

Dementia UK Helpline – 0800 888 6678

Memory Navigation Service – 0300 111 9090

Tibbs Dementia Foundation – 01234 210993

Alzheimer’s Society – 0333 150 3456

National Audit for Dementia

The Trust will be completing Round 6 of the National Audit for Dementia. We are welcoming feedback from carers and relatives of those people living with dementia who have attended either the L&D or Bedford Hospital.

Please visit www.nationalauditdementia.org.uk or, for a paper copy of the questionnaire, contact the Dementia Specialist Nurse on 01582 497417 or PALS.

Luton and Dunstable University Hospital

Over 845,000 people in the UK have a diagnosis of dementia and it is reported that 25% of all hospital beds will be occupied by a patient with a type of dementia.

At the Luton and Dunstable University Hospital we are committed to supporting people with dementia and their carers, to enable them to live well with Dementia.

We have a dedicated Nurse Specialist who can advise and support staff, patients and carers.

Yvonne Weldon – 07816366320
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 08.30 – 16.30
yvonne.weldon@ldh.nhs.uk

Sarah Gray – 07816366313
sarah.gray@ldh.nhs.uk

‘Dementia Champions’ are staff who have received additional training in dementia care, they are available in most departments and wards and can be identified by their yellow lanyard.

This is Me

The ‘This is Me’ booklet is a booklet that we ask the carer to complete for us. This could be the main carer, or a family member who knows the person best. The information gives a short biography of the person with Dementia. It enables staff to use this information to support communication, distractions, understanding likes and dislikes whilst providing an insight into the person. This information can help staff better understand how they can care for a patient should the person become agitated or anxious in a more familiar and reassuring way.

‘This is Me’ document.

Distraction trolley/boxes

Ward areas are continuously gathering items and equipment to use as part of distraction and stimulation therapy for the person with Dementia. This helps staff and volunteers engage in meaningful activities with the person with Dementia, we are encouraging carers to utilise the various equipment we have, to offer a more stimulating environment.

Extended visiting & Support for ‘Johns Campaign’

As a Trust we have fully supported this national campaign. We appreciate this is a difficult time for carers and relatives, and fully understand the importance of your continued support for the person living with Dementia while they are in hospital.

People with Dementia may find it difficult to adapt to unfamiliar surroundings and faces, therefore we try to offer the main carer the chance to have unrestricted visiting. This enables the carer to be present at a time that is convenient for them and enables them to offer support to the person with Dementia, giving advice/guidance and help to staff, should they wish to.

This is supported with a Carers Pack, which offers concessions with parking fees and a discount at the hospital restaurants.

If you need to know more about this, please ask the Ward Sister/Charge Nurse or contact the Dementia Nurse.

Dementia Care Project

The Dementia Care Project is a project which enables us to provide the right equipment and stimulation activities for patients with Dementia. It will encourage them to stay as active and independent as possible even though they are in hospital. The aim is to help them recover better and be well enough to go home. The project relies on volunteers and staff to engage in interactive stimulation through Music, craft or simple chatting and reminiscence.

Please read more about this project here. 

Herbert Protocol

Working with Bedfordshire Police, we are pleased to share their information gathering checklist to help assist with caring for individuals with Dementia.

The ‘Herbert Protocol’ is a short online form designed to help those suffering from Dementia, and offer peace of mind for their families. Should your vulnerable family member with dementia wander we have all the right tools to help find them efficiently and safely. Download the form

Useful Links

Tibbs Dementia Foundation Service Timetable
Dementia UK
Dementia publications in other languages
Beds Fire, Safe and Well Service, Safeandwell@bedsfire.gov.uk

National Audit for Dementia

The Trust will be completing Round 6 of the National Audit for Dementia. We are welcoming feedback from carers and relatives of those people living with dementia who have attended either the L&D or Bedford Hospital.

Please visit www.nationalauditdementia.org.uk or, for a paper copy of the questionnaire, contact the Dementia Specialist Nurse on 01582 497417 or PALS.

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