The Luton and Dunstable Hospital

Dementia Care Project

Caring for people with dementia whilethey are in hospital and helping them to go home quickly andsafely

Over 1000 patients are admitted at the Luton and Dunstable Hospital with a known diagnosis of Dementia every year. This number is set to increase in accordance to national and local statistics.

Caring for patients with Dementia is a complex process as they are often in hospital with a different health need but their dementia will have a serious impact on their stay and experience whilst in Hospital.

In the past, the NHS has been accused of keeping patients with Dementia in hospital too long. Worsening their condition, making them even more dependant and dramatically reducing their chances of being able to go home.  It was estimated that around a third of patients with Dementia were discharged into nursing homes instead.

With this in mind, the L&D is launching a project to support and encourage 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 rather than deteriorate and have to go into a nursing home.

The project will comprise of timetabled activity slots on all of the Care of the Elderly wards.  They will be set up and overseen by the Dementia Nurse Specialist with the support of Occupational Therapists.  The activity sessions will be led day to day by volunteer support workers.  These may be staff on their breaks or one of the Hospitals registered 400 volunteers.

Research has been undertaken to see what activities will most benefit patients. Card making, sewing, puzzles, games, singing and watching old films and television series will all be included in the projects programme of activities.  During the sessions there will be refreshments available and patients will be encouraged to get dressed out of their pyjamas or hospital gowns.

One of the major problems for elderly patients is that after they are admitted to hospital they often lose their appetite due to the change in routine and surroundings.  This in turn impedes their recovery and often makes them more ill.  The Dementia Project will allow staff to let volunteers know if someone is struggling to eat. The volunteer can then spend time with the individual and have snacks readily available to encourage them to eat.

We want to raise additional funds to purchase much needed items to ensure the activities are engaging and interesting.  Items needed include crockery and place mats, games, puzzles, books, televisions, DVDs and arts and crafts materials.

Here’s an idea of how your donation can help our patients…

£25 will buy arts and crafts materials

£50 will buy DVDs and games

£100 will buy crockery and place mats

£250 will buy a TV and DVD player

£500 will buy enough craft materials to run the sessions

for approximately 6 months

£750 will buy enough refreshments and snacks to

run sessions for a month

£1,000 will buy music sessions and entertainment

to come into the Hospital

Thanks to the nature of the project we can make an immediate start once donations come in. Purchasing items and resources for the activities and with further generous donations we can re-stock resources as well as update items.

If you would like to find out more about the project or fundraising for other areas within the Hospital please feel free to contact the Fundraising Team on 01582 718 289 or email fundraising@ldh.nhs.uk

Thank you for your support