Activity bag for dementia patients in hospital

[Lisalou7981X]

Hi everyone

My name is Lisa Phillips and I am a student nurse just starting my third year at Northampton University. I have to complete a 10,000 word dissertation to get my degree and I have chosen the subject of dementia to research. The idea of the dissertation is to complete a proposal to improve something you feel needs improving in your place of work. My idea is to put together a activity pack/bag to give to dementia patients when they are admitted into hospital to make their stay a little bit easier. I would really appreciate some advice to what you would think should be included in this bag for your relative or person who may have dementia that you care for and also if you think this would benefit them if they were admitted.

 

[Marina61]

Hi everyone

My name is Lisa Phillips and I am a student nurse just starting my third year at Northampton University. I have to complete a 10,000 word dissertation to get my degree and I have chosen the subject of dementia to research. The idea of the dissertation is to complete a proposal to improve something you feel needs improving in your place of work. My idea is to put together a activity pack/bag to give to dementia patients when they are admitted into hospital to make their stay a little bit easier. I would really appreciate some advice to what you would think should be included in this bag for your relative or person who may have dementia that you care for and also if you think this would benefit them if they were admitted.

Chapstick, word search or puzzle games, mints.. ;o)

 

[DeMartin]

Hi everyone

My name is Lisa Phillips and I am a student nurse just starting my third year at Northampton University. I have to complete a 10,000 word dissertation to get my degree and I have chosen the subject of dementia to research. The idea of the dissertation is to complete a proposal to improve something you feel needs improving in your place of work. My idea is to put together a activity pack/bag to give to dementia patients when they are admitted into hospital to make their stay a little bit easier. I would really appreciate some advice to what you would think should be included in this bag for your relative or person who may have dementia that you care for and also if you think this would benefit them if they were admitted.

Hi Lisa, I used to be a nurse and realise to my shame how badly PWD were treated by my peers and I in the past. Pure lack of understanding and ignorance. It’s not a one size fits everyone disease. There are PWD that can complete the Times crossword but can’t find the bathroom to those who can sit and hold a normal conversation but will “read” a book upside down.
As a previous poster has said puzzle books will work for some, books heavy on pictures will suit some, others need things to fiddle with, but most important is for staff to realise dementia and be able to personalise activity to each patient. Not much help to you really, but read a few posts and you’ll see the variation in our loved ones.

 

[Louise7]

Lisa: Yes, fully agree with DeMartin. My Mum is in hospital at the moment and she doesn't need a 'goody bag', she needs staff who are understanding of dementia. It would make a world of difference. Sorry not to be so positive about your idea but those with dementia have different, needs so need an individual approach rather than 'one size fits all'. Could you maybe consider looking at something which will be informative to staff? Large laminated posters in wards covering some basics such as: treat those with dementia as individuals, on admittance seek to establish their 'base line' before conducting assessments, don't be dismissive of the views of relatives/carers who know the person best etc.

 

[DeMartin]

Hi again Lisa, questions, apart from patients how many PWD do you know? It may be a good idea to see PWD in their residence. You may be able to contact a local dementia care home and visit to observe the residents and interact with them, and be able to talk to the activities coordinator to see what they find PWD like doing. Also check for a local carers group and see if you could visit with them and see what they think. The carers of PWD are the experts, they care 24/7, always go to the experts?

 

[Lisalou7981X]

Chapstick, word search or puzzle games, mints.. ;o)

Thank you so much x

 

[Lisalou7981X]

Hi again Lisa, questions, apart from patients how many PWD do you know? It may be a good idea to see PWD in their residence. You may be able to contact a local dementia care home and visit to observe the residents and interact with them, and be able to talk to the activities coordinator to see what they find PWD like doing. Also check for a local carers group and see if you could visit with them and see what they think. The carers of PWD are the experts, they care 24/7, always go to the experts?

Thank you for your reply it's very helpful. I have been a HCA for aboutb11 years but mainly interacted with dementia patients in hospital so going to homes and community is a great idea x

 

[Lisalou7981X]

Lisa: Yes, fully agree with DeMartin. My Mum is in hospital at the moment and she doesn't need a 'goody bag', she needs staff who are understanding of dementia. It would make a world of difference. Sorry not to be so positive about your idea but those with dementia have different, needs so need an individual approach rather than 'one size fits all'. Could you maybe consider looking at something which will be informative to staff? Large laminated posters in wards covering some basics such as: treat those with dementia as individuals, on admittance seek to establish their 'base line' before conducting assessments, don't be dismissive of the views of relatives/carers who know the person best etc.

Thank you for your reply and I can truly understand where you are coming from when taking about individual care of each person. In the trust I work in we have booklets called This is Me which family members fill in to help staff looking after their loved ones understand their patients (That's is if they read it). I have witness in my 11 years of caring that dementia patients don't cope well in hospital so has hoping to find an idea that could maybe make their stay somewhat easier. I will take all your comments and really use them when deciding on my final Idea. I hope I did not offend you for suggest a activity bag may help your loved one.

 

[Louise7]

No offence taken, and an activity bag may be helpful to some. I think that if they are planned for use in a hospital environment then to some extent you would be relying on hospital staff to decide whether it would be suitable for a particular person or not. Some may find it distressing/frustrating to be given something that they don't understand or know what to do with and not all staff would realise this.

 

[Toony Oony]

My Mum would be happy with a box of tissues. She could take them out, fold them, fold them again a different way, hide them, use them, tuck them away, wrap things up with them .............. I mention this as everybody is different, and in my limited experience there is not a 'one size fits all solution'. But it's tissues that really float my Mum's boat! (and quite a few other PWD)

I try to find little gifts to bring Mum in her CH - but there is less and less that will engage her or that she can use now ............ apart from the never ending tissues or a anti bac hand wipe to change things up a bit! It was the same when she had a brief stay in hospital. I gave her a box of tissues and she was content.

Most successful now (aside from the tissues) is literally 'hands on' things. Brushing her hair, Hand massage, hand cream, painting her nails or just holding her hand and talking.

I havent tried the infamous twiddle muffs and fidget cushions with Mum. If you think these would be useful, get in contact with your local WI. They may help by making some for dementia patients that they could have and keep.

Sorry I cant be more helpful - lovely idea but difficult to implement I think.