Treatment of older people with dementia in surgical wards from the viewpoints of the patients and close relatives

Abstract

The results are applicable for efforts to improve the abilities of nursing staff, physicians and close relatives in the treatment of older people with dementia in acute care settings.

Experiences and needs of relatives of people with dementia in acute hospitals—A meta‐synthesis of qualitative studies

“…We included 12 papers in the meta‐synthesis (Bauer, Fitzgerald, Koch, & King, ; Boltz, Chippendale, Resnick, & Galvin, ; Clissett, Porock, Harwood, & Gladman, ; Douglas‐Dunbar & Gardiner, ; Fitzgerald, Bauer, Koch, & King, ; Hynninen, Saarnio, & Isola, ; Jurgens, Clissett, Gladman, & Harwood, ; Moyle, Bramble, Bauer, Smyth, & Beattie, ; Porock, Clissett, Harwood, & Gladman, ; Simpson, ; Spencer, Foster, Whittamore, Goldberg, & Harwood, ; Walther Nufer & Spichiger, ). These 12 papers were based on nine studies because some papers referred to the same data.…”

“…Relatives have specific needs and expectations before and during the hospital stay of their relative with dementia. Most expect a personalised and dignified style of care (Hynninen et al., ; Jurgens et al., ). Besides the provision of physical comfort and safety, relatives expect that hospitals have systems in place to manage people with disturbed behaviour while simultaneously maintaining dignity and identity of the patients.…”

“…They are dependent on regular updates because the patients are themselves unable to provide information adequately. The need for qualitative and regular interaction and information is obvious (Boltz et al., ; Hynninen et al., ; Moyle et al., ; Spencer et al., ). Not just what, but rather how healthcare staff provides information is an essential factor for relatives.…”

“…Relatives have specific worries when their family member with dementia is in hospital. One of their worries relates to the hospital environment per se (Clissett et al., ; Hynninen et al., ; Jurgens et al., ; Moyle et al., ; Porock et al., ; Spencer et al., ). From the relatives’ perspective, it is clear that the busy hospital environment is not suited to people with dementia.…”

Elements of a sustainable, competent, and empathetic workforce to support patients with dementia during an acute hospital stay: A comprehensive literature review

“…32 This is consistent with previous findings, as nurses and doctors have both reported receiving insufficient education and training to support acutely unwell patients with dementia. 42,43 Traditionally, undergraduate health professional programmes have focused on the medical model of the provision of short-term interventions related to positive outcomes from an acute medical condition, rather than more complex psychosocial care related to long-term conditions that also impact on cognition, such as dementia. 16 However, a number of undergraduate programmes have been developed to focus on person-centred care and long-term conditions 44 and more recently in the UK mandatory inclusion of dementia training in all undergraduate health care programmes.…”