INSIGHTS INTO THE

HOSPITAL DEMENTIA

EXPERIENCE

Judy Bartholomew

Alzheimer’s Australia NSW

EXPERIENCING DEMENTIA

WORKSHOP

• Modified from original Bundoora Extended Care workshop – aged care workers

• 3 part workshop:

o Introduction

o Simulation

o Debrief

• 2 or 3 hours

• 2 facilitators

WHY EXPERIENCING

DEMENTIA?

Show how the approach and attitude of

others and /or a “disabling” environment

can compound feelings of confusion,

helplessness, frustration, humiliation and

anger thus leading to increased disability,

alienation and the development of

‘behavioural responses’.

OUTCOME

Ultimately, through the development of

deeper insight and understanding, the

exercise aims to foster more positive

attitudes towards individuals with dementia

and lead to more sensitive, improved care

practice.

BASED ON…

• Person-centred care

• Needs-driven Dementia-compromised

model of ‘behaviour’ (Unmet need)

PEOPLE LIVING WITH

DEMENTIA AND THEIR

FAMILIES AND CARERS SAID…

FEEDBACK

Negatives:

• Staff not realising someone has dementia

• Staff not understanding the impacts of

dementia eg. Asking them questions (not

carer), not helping with food, not having call

button in a place they can see.

• Loss of self-esteem/dignity, not picking up on

fear and being talked down to or impatiently,

ignored, talked over (communication)

FEEDBACK

Negatives:

• Waiting for long periods – expected to

stay in a bed

• Short staffed – too busy

• Lack of rehab

• Restraint used – Chair tray table, tied to

wheelchair

• Not crushing up medications

FEEDBACK

Positives:

• ASET nurses

• Some staff understood the impact of

dementia

• Spoke to people kindly, smiled, not rushed

• 4 bed room with 1 nurse stationed there

• Picked up on ‘coded language’ – what they

really meant

FEEDBACK

Positives:

• Staff walked with the person

• TOP 5

• Saw the person more quickly

• Eye contact

• Talked with the carer

NSW PILOTS

• External Reference Group

• Expressions of Interest to NSW Local

Health Districts (LHDs)

• Eight LHDs and nine sites applied - MoUs

Hidden slide

ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS:

• What is your tax file number?

• Name 20 animals starting with Z

• List every medical test you have had and the results and doctor

and place

• Multiple 2009869900 x 1308 / 339090234

• Grandfathers, grandfathers middle name

• Last eye test date and outcome

• Copy the diagram above

DEBRIEF

Feelings Behaviour Need

Confused withdrawn

Angry hoarding

Alone aggression

Rushed stealing

Anxious absconding

Helpless suspicious

FEEDBACK

• Evaluations by Samantha Abbato

• 218 participants

• Significant increase in empathy

• Significant increase in understanding

triggers to behaviour

FEEDBACK

• Nearly 70% stated their intention to use

the skills taught to a great extent

• Intended changes to work practice:

o Improved communication

o Individual approach and empathy

o Share knowledge with other staff

o Environmental adjustments

FEEDBACK

The workshop over all was rated as very

good, with the debrief, simulation, content

and the facilitators skills rated as excellent.

LHDs rolling out further workshops.

NEXT STEPS

• Training Package finalised

• Evaluation report finalised

• Report to DSS / DoH

• Launch of training package

• Promote more widely

CHANGE STORIES

‘It was unnerving because I reflected, “Oh

my god, I’m doing this every day to my

patients”

‘… the first time I was pushed to actually

reflect on how I communicate with people

who have dementia.’

CONTACT

Judy Bartholomew

Alzheimer’s Australia NSW

Ph: (02) 6651 6415

Mob: 0418 412 127

Email: judy.bartholomew@alzheimers.org.au