Windows to the Heart: Creating an Acute Care Dementia Unit

Nichols, Jeffrey; Heller, Karen S.

doi:10.1089/10966210252785187

Cited by 22 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 1 publication

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“…It is thought that a SCU will offer benefits to people who are cognitively impaired, their families as well as staff and the hospital (Goodall, 2006). The Windows to the Heart Program is an example of the development of an Acute Care Dementia Unit in a 500‐bed hospital in New York (Nichols & Heller, 2002). The program required a purpose built eight‐bed unit to be constructed.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Best practice for the management of older people with dementia in the acute care setting: a review of the literature

Moyle¹,

Olorenshaw²,

Wallis³

et al. 2008

Int J Older People Nursing

165

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Aim. This paper reviews the theoretical and research-based literature related to the management of people with chronic confusion as a consequence of dementia in the acute care setting. Background. People aged 65 years and over are at increased risk of poor outcomes when admitted to the acute care setting as a result of comorbity and mismanagement of their chronic confusion. The challenge of caring for people with dementia in acute care is one that requires special attention. Results. The theoretical literature outlines a number of principles of care necessary for best practice in the care of people with dementia. A number of different models of care are reported in the literature and some evaluative research has been undertaken to assess the benefits of the different models. Conclusion. There are a number of interventions that if put into place in acute care may improve care of people with dementia and reduce the burden of care. There is emerging evidence that interventions such as staff education, skilled expertise, standardized care protocols and environmental modification help to meet the needs of people with dementia in acute hospital settings. This paper adds to our current understanding of management of dementia in the acute care setting, an area that demonstrates the need to move from descriptive to intervention studies to ensure evidence for care of persons with a dementing condition.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Best practice for the management of older people with dementia in the acute care setting: a review of the literature

Moyle¹,

Olorenshaw²,

Wallis³

et al. 2008

Int J Older People Nursing

165

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show abstract

“…There have been very few studies evaluating multicomponent interventions for the care of individuals with cognitive impairment, [38][39][40][41][42] and these studies did not specifically address the use of sitters. Although programs using trained volunteers (Hospital Elder Life Program and Recruitment of Volunteers to Improve Vitality in the Elderly) appear to be effective, their national implementation rates are low.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Multicomponent Model to Improve Hospital Care of Older Adults with Cognitive Impairment: A Propensity Score–Matched Analysis

Sinvani

Warner‐Cohen

Strunk

et al. 2018

J American Geriatrics Society

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“…There is a body of knowledge on what constitutes good care, but the best way to deliver this within the constraints of acute medical services is far from clear [5, 23–27]. Approaches include improving the ward environment, providing opportunities for purposeful activity, improving the understanding and management of distress behaviour through staff training, integrating mental health expertise with general nursing and by developing partnerships with family carers [28, 29]. However, rigorous evaluations of services are lacking [30].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The prevalence of mental health problems among older adults admitted as an emergency to a general hospital

et al. 2011

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Background: a high prevalence of co-morbid mental health problems is reported among older adults admitted to general hospitals.Setting: an 1,800 bed teaching hospital.Design: consecutive general medical and trauma orthopaedic admissions aged 70 or older were screened for mental health problems. Those screening positive were invited to undergo further assessment, and were interviewed to complete a battery of health status measurements.Results: of 1,004 patients screened, 36% had no mental health problems or had anxiety alone. Of those screening positive 250 took part in the full study. Adjusting for the two-stage sampling design, 50% of admitted patients over 70 were cognitively impaired, 27% had delirium and 8–32% were depressed. Six percent had hallucinations, 8% delusions, 21% apathy and 9% agitation/aggression (of at least moderate severity). Of those with mental health problems, 47% were incontinent, 49% needed help with feeding and 44% needed major help to transfer.Interpretation: we confirm the high prevalence of mental health problems among older adults admitted to general hospitals. These patients have high levels of functional dependency, psychological and behavioural problems which have implications for how they are cared for. Services that identify these problems and offer therapeutic intervention should be evaluated.

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Windows to the Heart: Creating an Acute Care Dementia Unit

Cited by 22 publications

References 1 publication

Best practice for the management of older people with dementia in the acute care setting: a review of the literature

Best practice for the management of older people with dementia in the acute care setting: a review of the literature

A Multicomponent Model to Improve Hospital Care of Older Adults with Cognitive Impairment: A Propensity Score–Matched Analysis

The prevalence of mental health problems among older adults admitted as an emergency to a general hospital

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