Caring for People with Dementia in Acute Care Settings: a resource pack for staff

Julie Christie and Colm Cunningham, 2009

This four-part resource is designed to support acute care staff. It aims to help staff to work positively with people with dementia in their care by informing practice and providing practice based tools and strategies. Including a practice guide, a CD-Rom of modules to assist the user’s learning and two DVDs of films about the care of people with dementia in acute hospital settings, this is an invaluable resource for acute care staff who want to improve their practice in this area.

The ageing population in the UK is reflected in the increased use of acute care services by older people with dementia.

Patients with dementia may not be able to conform to the rapid treatment protocols and pace of change that exists in an acute care setting.

People with dementia also experience increased levels of confusion and functional loss, and are at high risk of suffering preventable adverse events during their hospital admission. The challenges facing people with dementia mirror those confronting staff trying to meet their needs alongside other patients. Staff working in acute care settings need to acquire additional skills and expertise to care for those with dementia.