What is the current state of care for older people with dementia in general hospitals? A literature review

Hospital nurses perceived challenges and opportunities in the care of people with dementia: A mixed-methods systematic review

AIM

To synthesise evidence from the literature on hospital nurses' perceived challenges and opportunities in the care of people with dementia.

BACKGROUND

People with dementia often have longer lengths of hospital stay and poorer health outcomes compared to those without dementia. Nurses play a pivotal role in the care of people with dementia. However, there is a scarcity of systematic reviews that synthesise the challenges and opportunities they perceive.

METHODS

A mixed-methods systematic review was conducted with a database search covering Ageline, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Emcare, Embase, Medline, PsycINFO, ProQuest, Scopus and Web of Science in April 2022. In total, 27 articles that met the selection criteria were critically reviewed and included in this systematic review. Data from the selected articles were extracted and synthesised using a convergent segregated approach.

RESULTS

Three main themes and eight subthemes were identified. Theme 1 described nurse-related factors consisting of the lack of capability in dementia care, experiencing multiple sources of stress and opportunities for nurses to improve dementia care. Theme 2 revealed people living with dementia-related factors including complex care needs and the need to engage family carers in care. Theme 3 explained organisation-related factors comprising the lack of organisational support for nurses and people with dementia and opportunities for quality dementia care.

CONCLUSION

Hospital nurses experience multidimensional challenges in the care of people with dementia. Opportunities to overcome those challenges include organisational support for nurses to develop dementia care capability, reduce their stress and partner with the family caregivers.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Hospitals will need to build an enabling environment for nurses to develop their capabilities in the care of people with dementia. Further research in empowering nurses and facilitating quality dementia care in acute care hospitals is needed.

REPORTING METHOD

The review followed the PRISMA 2020 checklist.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

No.

A Systematic Review of Falls Risk of Frail Patients with Dementia in Hospital: Progress, Challenges, and Recommendations

This review article assesses the effectiveness and limitations of strategies to reduce falls among hospitalized older adults with frailty and dementia. It explores the efficacy of existing fall prevention strategies for a cohort that is acutely susceptible to falls and fall-related consequences. A systematic literature search was conducted across MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and PsycINFO, employing Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) to identify studies on fall prevention strategies in hospitalized older adults with both dementia and frailty published from 2013 to 2023. The initial 643 records were distilled to eight articles, with Structured Interdisciplinary Bedside Rounds (SIBR) emerging as a notable intervention. SIBR demonstrated a reduction in falls by fostering improved interdisciplinary communication and care planning. However, a decline in family engagement during consecutive sessions suggests a need for strategies to sustain familial involvement. The findings advocate for patient-centered interventions that address the cognitive and functional challenges faced by this cohort of older adults. This review advocates for comprehensive and inclusive research in hospital environments to improve fall prevention strategies for frail older adults with dementia.

Effects of a dementia educational programme using virtual reality on nurses in an acute care hospital: A pre-post comparative study

BACKGROUND

Poor awareness of dementia care by healthcare professionals affects the quality of care for people living with dementia in acute care settings.

OBJECTIVES

This study examined the effectiveness of a virtual reality-based educational programme for dementia for nurses working in acute care hospitals in Japan.

METHODS

A dementia education programme for nurses was designed. The programme comprised short movies, virtual reality videos based on the short movies, a lecture, discussions and role-playing based on the experimental learning model. Virtual reality video content was created to promote empathy for people living with dementia through a first-person experience of dementia. The educational programme involved nurses working in an acute care hospital in the Tokyo Metropolitan area. Before and after the programme, we employed structured questionnaires using validated instruments to assess participants' attitudes towards people living with dementia, their intentions of helping behaviour and their confidence in providing dementia care.

RESULTS

Seventy-six nurses participated in and completed the pre- and post-tests. The mean age was 34.9 ± 9.2 years, and 90.8% of the participants were female. A paired t-test showed significant before-after improvement in the participants' attitudes towards people living with dementia (41.9 ± 5.1 vs. 44.5 ± 4.8), intentions of helping behaviour towards people living with dementia (10.8 ± 2.5 vs. 12.8 ± 2.1) and confidence in providing dementia care (25.9 ± 6.7 vs. 29.2 ± 6.0).

CONCLUSION

The programme effectively improved nurses' attitudes towards people living with dementia and confidence in providing dementia care in acute care settings. Future research is important to explore the long-term effects of this programme and its effects on actual dementia care.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

The dementia education programme may promote person-centred care in acute hospitals. Future studies should consider the provision of more flexible programs so that nurses can more easily participate in them.

'Alright my lovely': The use of terms of endearment as a mitigation device in the care of people living with dementia in the acute hospital environment

This paper examines how terms of endearment (ToE) are used as a mitigation device in interactions between staff and people living with dementia (PLWD) in the acute hospital environment. ToE are often discouraged in training for healthcare staff. However, this research demonstrates that they are still commonly used in practice. Using conversation analysis, video and audio data were examined to identify the interactional functions of ToE. Analysis showed that ToE play an important role in mitigating potentially face-threatening actions such as when patients are asked to repeat hard-to-interpret talk, or when patient agency is compromised through instruction sequences or having necessary healthcare tasks undertaken. The success of this mitigation is sensitive to the specific interactional circumstances, as well as the responsiveness of the HCP to the patient's voiced concerns. These findings have implications for healthcare practice, training and wider care of PLWD.

[Closing care gaps after hospitalization: Study results [intersec-CM] on discharge and transfer management according to sect. 39 SGB V for people with cognitive impairments associated with dementia]

In Germany, there are 1.8 million people currently living with dementia, and the trend is rising. In particular, the health system at the transition from hospital to outpatient care is facing major challenges given the high increase in a difficult patient clientele. Legal efforts have been undertaken (sect. 39a of the Fifth Social Code Book [SGB V]) to close the care gaps in the discharge and transfer process. This article aims to provide an overview of the documentation process of the discharge and transfer management for people with cognitive impairments in everyday clinical practice according to SGB V sect. 39 para. 1a after the Discharge Management Act came into force. Furthermore, the manuscript answers the research question "How is the statutory discharge management of people with cognitive impairments (MmkB) aged 65 and over documented" and highlights further characteristics of the discharge documentation for MmkB starting with the transition from the inpatient setting to other care settings. In order to answer the research question(s), a qualitative content analysis of all discharge documents available at the time of discharge was carried out as part of the intervention study on cross-sector care management to support cognitively impaired people during and after a hospital stay [intersec-CM], which was funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. The results of the analysis show that, despite legal efforts, there are currently no standardized, unified processes of discharge management for people with cognitive impairments that can be traced in writing. However, departments with a large proportion of vulnerable patient groups were able to offer valuable insights: for example, their discharge documents included a short social history. Further evidence-based research and development in the domain of discharge management for people with cognitive impairments remains essential.

Dementia friendly in the context of hospitalization: A concept analysis using the Walker & Avant Method

AIM(S)

To evaluate the literature to inform and propose a conceptual definition for dementia friendly in the context of hospitalization.

METHODS

The Walker & Avant method for concept analysis was utilized for this review.

DATA SOURCES (INCLUDE SEARCH DATES)

Initial search conducted June 2022. Repeated search conducted in February 2023. Databases for the literature search include Scopus, PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and AGELINE.

RESULTS

Five attributes of the concept of dementia friendly in the context of hospitalization were identified including: staff knowledge/education, environmental modification, person-centred care, nursing care delivery and inclusion of family caregivers. Based on these attributes a conceptual definition is proposed.

CONCLUSION

A clarified definition for dementia friendly in the context of hospitalization will aid in understanding the concept, provide guidance for hospitals seeking to implement dementia-friendly interventions and benefit researchers aiming to study the impact of such programs. REPORTING METHOD: n/a.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

No Patient or Public Contribution.

'A lot of people think it's just a Mickey Mouse role': Role ambiguity among dementia support workers within secondary care and community hospital settings

Purpose: Dementia support workers (DSWs) are employed to improve the hospital care for patients living with dementia. An evaluation sought to understand the perspectives and experiences of DSWs and related healthcare practitioners within one health board, to identify any role ambiguity and inform future role development.Design/methodology/approach: Framework analysis was used to synthesise data from semi-structured interviews and focus groups with dementia support workers, and a wider group of related healthcare practitioners.Findings: Thirteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with DSWs. Two focus groups were held with DSWs (n = 2 and 4) and two with associated healthcare practitioners (n = 3 and 5). Participants described inconsistencies in the understanding and delivery of the DSW role. Role ambiguity was identified as a key theme.Originality/value: This paper offers insight into challenges experienced by DSWs and addresses factors that could help improve and support the DSW role, and potentially the experience of other staff, and patients/people living with dementia. Overall, this evaluation highlights both the value of the DSW role in supporting the needs of patients/people living with dementia and the potential for person-centred activities to be used as therapeutic interventions.

Building Clinical Leadership Competencies When Caring for Hospitalized Adults Experiencing Dementia

PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES

Attempting to improve the experience of hospitalized adults with dementia and reduce patient attendant costs, we addressed hospital nursing staff confidence managing responsive behaviors through education, mentorship, and individualized patient care planning for adults with dementia.Responsive behaviors (such as pacing, calling out) is a term used to describe behaviors demonstrated by a person with dementia as a way of responding to something negative, frustrating, or confusing in their social and physical environment.

DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT

Under time restraints, we performed a rapid environmental scan and developed internal clinical resources and a learning strategy that informed a quality improvement initiative that focused on dementia care of hospitalized patients.

OUTCOME

Using quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods, the interventions increased confidence, competency, and leadership in clinical nursing leaders and improved person-centered care planning practices. The cost of patient attendant usage for this patient population decreased by 28% in 1 year.

CONCLUSION

This intervention, which was not a copyrighted program associated with administration costs, improved hospital-based dementia care and staff confidence in dementia care and reduced annual costs associated with patient attendant useage.

Investigating the Readability and Linguistic, Psychological, and Emotional Characteristics of Digital Dementia Information Written in the English Language: Multitrait-Multimethod Text Analysis

BACKGROUND

Past research in the Western context found that people with dementia search for digital dementia information in peer-reviewed medical research articles, dementia advocacy and medical organizations, and blogs written by other people with dementia. This past work also demonstrated that people with dementia do not perceive English digital dementia information as emotionally or cognitively accessible.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we sought to investigate the readability; linguistic, psychological, and emotional characteristics; and target audiences of digital dementia information. We conducted a textual analysis of 3 different types of text-based digital dementia information written in English: 300 medical articles, 35 websites, and 50 blogs.

METHODS

We assessed the text's readability using the Flesch Reading Ease and Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level measurements, as well as tone, analytical thinking, clout, authenticity, and word frequencies using a natural language processing tool, Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count Generator. We also conducted a thematic analysis to categorize the target audiences for each information source and used these categorizations for further statistical analysis.

RESULTS

The median Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level readability score and Flesch Reading Ease score for all types of information (N=1139) were 12.1 and 38.6, respectively, revealing that the readability scores of all 3 information types were higher than the minimum requirement. We found that medical articles had significantly (P=.05) higher word count and analytical thinking scores as well as significantly lower clout, authenticity, and emotional tone scores than websites and blogs. Further, blogs had significantly (P=.48) higher word count and authenticity scores but lower analytical scores than websites. Using thematic analysis, we found that most of the blogs (156/227, 68.7%) and web pages (399/612, 65.2%) were targeted at people with dementia. Website information targeted at a general audience had significantly lower readability scores. In addition, website information targeted at people with dementia had higher word count and lower emotional tone ratings. The information on websites targeted at caregivers had significantly higher clout and lower authenticity scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that there is an abundance of digital dementia information written in English that is targeted at people with dementia, but this information is not readable by a general audience. This is problematic considering that people with <12 years of education are at a higher risk of developing dementia. Further, our findings demonstrate that digital dementia information written in English has a negative tone, which may be a contributing factor to the mental health crisis many people with dementia face after receiving a diagnosis. Therefore, we call for content creators to lower readability scores to make the information more accessible to a general audience and to focus their efforts on providing information in a way that does not perpetuate overly negative narratives of dementia.

Contextualizing the results of an integrative review on the characteristics of dementia-friendly hospitals: a workshop with professional dementia experts

BACKGROUND

To become a dementia-friendly hospital (DFH) is increasingly being discussed in health care practice, research, politics and society. In our previous integrative review, we identified six characteristics of DFHs. To thoroughly discuss and contextualize these characteristics in relation to hospitals in Germany, we involved professional dementia experts in our review process.

METHODS

At the end of our review process, we involved professional dementia experts at the 'contributing' level of the ACTIVE framework to discuss and reflect on the six DFH characteristics we identified. We conducted a group process in the form of a one-day workshop. The workshop consisted of four steps: 1. presentation of review results (input), 2. modification of DFH characteristics and rating of their relevance in smaller working groups, 3. discussion of group results in plenary and 4. questionnaire for prioritization and rating of feasibility. The data were analyzed in MAXQDA using content analysis and descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

A total of 16 professional dementia experts working in hospitals participated in the workshop. All the previously identified characteristics of a DFH were rated as relevant or very relevant for patients with dementia, their relatives and health care professionals from the professional dementia experts' perspective. They made a few modifications of the six characteristics at the level of subcategories, aspects, and descriptions. The feasibility of the characteristics in hospitals was critically discussed regarding resources, hospital structures and processes, the role of nurses, and the current care situation of people with dementia in hospitals. More than half of the subcategories of the characteristics were considered very difficult or difficult to implement by most professional dementia experts.

CONCLUSION

The involvement of professional dementia experts helped us contextualize our review findings within the German hospital setting. These results highlight the need to consider resources, funding options, influencing factors, and the current situation and culture of care provided by hospitals before implementing DFH characteristics. Beside the involvement of professional dementia experts and various health care professionals, the involvement of other stakeholders, such as people with dementia and their relatives, is necessary in future research for the development of a DFH.

Pain Management in the Postoperative Period for People With Dementia: An Integrative Review

Objective

With the increased global prevalence of older people with dementia, more will present for surgery over the coming decades. Therefore, the objective of this study was to synthesize the existing research about how pain in managed for people with dementia in the postoperative period and discuss the implications for clinical practice.

Methods

For this integrative review, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health literature, Medline/Pubmed, ProQuest, ERIC, and Health Source Nursing were searched to identify original empirical research published between 2000 and 2021. Tasks were divided between reviewers to ensure independent study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment.

Results

Eleven articles were eligible. The evidence is incompletely developed therefore the review focused on pain assessment, the types and amount of pain relief, that people with dementia receive less analgesia than people without dementia and the challenges for effective pain management. Most studies were surgery for hip fracture so there is scope to look at outcomes for other types of surgery. Analgesia was administered but it was noted that even over a 20-year period, people with dementia received less than cognitively intact people. Pain management could have a stronger evidence-base with more psychometric development of pain assessment tools. Challenges are due to the impaired ability of the person with dementia to communicate pain and that clinicians have difficulty understanding pain behavior in people with dementia.

Conclusion

Adequate pain management for people with dementia in the postoperative period is important for a faster and better recovery.

Caregiver preparedness is associated with desire to seek long-term care admission of hospitalized persons with dementia

INTRODUCTION

Hospitalized patients with dementia are more likely to be discharged to long-term care compared to persons without dementia. Little research has been conducted to examine the associations of caregiver preparedness and strain with desire to seek long-term care in hospitalized persons with dementia at discharge. The purpose of this study was to examine caregiver preparedness and strain as factors associated with desire to seek long-term care admission in caregivers of persons with dementia at hospital discharge.

METHODS

Patient baseline and discharge data, and caregiver discharge data of 424 patient and caregiver dyads from a cluster randomized trial was used. Stepwise multiple linear regression was conducted to examine factors associated with caregiver desire to seek long-term care.

RESULTS

After controlling for caregiver and patient characteristics, lower caregiver preparedness (β = -0.069; p < 0.016) was significantly associated with increased desire to seek long-term care.

DISCUSSION

Findings underscore the need for clinicians and service providers to provide further attention to caregiver preparedness throughout the course of hospitalization.

Mapping implementation strategies of evidence-based interventions for three preselected phenomena in people with dementia-a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Caring for people with dementia is complex, and there are various evidence-based interventions. However, a gap exists between the available interventions and how to implement them. The objectives of our review are to identify implementation strategies, implementation outcomes, and influencing factors for the implementation of evidence-based interventions that focus on three preselected phenomena in people with dementia: (A) behavior that challenges supporting a person with dementia in long-term care, (B) delirium in acute care, and (C) postacute care needs.

METHODS

We conducted a scoping review according to the description of the Joanna Briggs Institute. We searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO. For the data analysis, we conducted deductive content analysis. For this analysis, we used the Expert Recommendations for Implementation Change (ERIC), implementation outcomes according to Proctor and colleagues, and the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR).

RESULTS

We identified 362 (A), 544 (B), and 714 records (C) on the three phenomena and included 7 (A), 3 (B), and 3 (C) studies. Among the studies, nine reported on the implementation strategies they used. Clusters with the most reported strategies were adapt and tailor to context and train and educate stakeholders. We identified one study that tested the effectiveness of the applied implementation strategy, while ten studies reported implementation outcomes (mostly fidelity). Regarding factors that influence implementation, all identified studies reported between 1 and 19 factors. The most reported factors were available resources and the adaptability of the intervention. To address dementia-specific influencing factors, we enhanced the CFIR construct of patient needs and resources to include family needs and resources.

CONCLUSIONS

We found a high degree of homogeneity across the different dementia phenomena, the evidence-based interventions, and the care settings in terms of the implementation strategies used, implementation outcomes measured, and influencing factors identified. However, it remains unclear to what extent implementation strategies themselves are evidence-based and which intervention strategy can be used by practitioners when either the implementation outcomes are not adjusted to the implementation strategy and/or the effects of implementation strategies are mostly unknown. Future research needs to focus on investigating the effectiveness of implementation strategies for evidence-based interventions for dementia care.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The review protocol was prospectively published (Manietta et al., BMJ Open 11:e051611, 2021).

The Modified Caregiver Strain Index in Black and White Dementia Caregivers at Hospital Discharge

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to examine psychometric properties of the Modified Caregiver Strain Index (MCSI) in Black and White caregivers of persons living with dementia at hospital discharge.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study using baseline data of 423 family caregivers recruited from a cluster randomized clinical control trial. Factor structure, measurement invariance, and concurrent validity of the MCSI were analyzed. The moderating role of race on the relationship between MCSI score and anxiety, depression, and burden was also examined.

RESULTS

The two-factor model fits the data best and was invariant across race. Regarding concurrent validity, higher MCSI scores were significantly associated with higher scores on the (HADS-A; anxiety), (HADS-D; depression), and (ZBI; burden). Race moderated the relationship between MCSI score and anxiety, depression, and burden.

CONCLUSIONS

The MCSI is a valid tool to assess caregiver strain in Black and White caregivers of persons living with dementia during hospital discharge. Results suggest that the effect of MCSI score on anxiety, depression, and burden varies by race.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

MCSI can be used by clinicians and service providers to help support the needs of Black and White caregivers of people living with dementia during post-hospital transition.

The impact of dementia on rehabilitation outcomes following hip fracture

Objective

To compare clinical outcomes between patients for whom their participation in inpatient rehabilitation was and was not impacted by dementia through matching patients reporting dementia (dementia group) with those not reporting dementia (non-dementia group).

Methods

Prospectively collected data held by the Australasian Rehabilitation Outcome Centre (AROC) were analyzed for patients aged 65 years or older receiving inpatient rehabilitation in public hospitals in Australia following a hip fracture and discharged between July 1, 2014, and June 30, 2019. Patients reported as having dementia impacting their rehabilitation program were matched to patients not reporting dementia based on age, admission motor Functional Independence Measure (FIM) score, and accommodation prior to rehabilitation. The matched cohorts were compared in relation to clinical outcomes (motor and cognitive FIM improvement, FIM efficiency, length of stay, and discharge destination) following participation in hospital-based rehabilitation using univariate analysis.

Results

Patients with dementia had significantly lower cognitive FIM scores on commencing rehabilitation (17.6 and 26.9, respectively, P < 0.001) and their median length of stay was 2 days shorter than those without dementia (21 and 23 days, respectively, P < 0.001). Relative change in FIM score and FIM efficiency (per week) were lower in the dementia group [relative FIM score change of dementia vs non-dementia, respectively, 26.2% vs. 44.0% (P < 0.001) and FIM efficiency, 6.5 vs. 8.9 (P < 0.001)]. Discharge destination between the two groups was statistically different, with 35.7% of patients with dementia being discharged to residential aged care facilities (RACFs) compared to 21.7% of those without dementia (P < 0.001). More patients with dementia had carers in their private residence in the post-rehabilitation phase, 82.2% vs. 57.6% (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Patients with dementia who sustain a fractured hip benefit from inpatient rehabilitation, although their clinical outcomes are not as good as those without dementia. FIM change and FIM efficiency were lower in the dementia group. Length of stay in the hospital for patients with dementia was shorter due to earlier recognition for the need for placement in either an RACF or at home with carer support. The need for placement in an RACF or carer support in a private residence was significantly greater in the dementia group.

Patient safety for people experiencing advanced dementia in hospital: A video reflexive ethnography

BACKGROUND

Patient safety for people experiencing dementia in acute hospitals is a global priority. Despite national strategies as well as safety and quality guidelines, how safety practices are enacted within the complexities of everyday work are poorly understood and articulated.

METHODS

Using video reflexive ethnography, this 18-month study was conducted within an inpatient geriatric evaluation and management unit for people experiencing dementia and/or delirium in Australia. Patients, family members, and staff members participated by: allowing researchers to document fieldwork notes and video-record their practices and/or accounts thereof; and/or interpreting video-recordings with researchers to co-analyse and make sense of the data.

RESULTS

Safe care for people experiencing advanced dementia involved: negotiating risk via leadership, teamwork, and transparency; practice-based learning through situated adaptation; managing personhood versus protocols by doing the 'right' thing; joyful and meaningful work; as well as incorporating patient and family voices to do safety together.

CONCLUSION

Patient safety for people experiencing dementia requires continuous responsiveness and prioritising in the context of multiple risks by a staff collective with a shared purpose. Ongoing research to better understand how the nuances of patient safety unfold in everyday complex clinical realities in diverse contexts and with key stakeholders is required.

Championing Dementia Education: Adapting an Effective Scottish Dementia Education Program for Canadian Acute Health Care Providers

With increasing numbers of persons living with dementia and their higher rates of hospitalizations, it is necessary to ensure they receive appropriate and effective acute care; yet, acute care environments are often harmful for persons with dementia. There is a lack of dementia education for acute health care providers in Canada. Scotland presently delivers a dementia education program for health care providers, known as the Scottish National Dementia Champions Programme. The objective of this Policy and Practice Note is to present the collaborative work of Scottish experts and Canadian stakeholders to adapt the Dementia Champions Programme for use in Canada. This work to date includes: (a) an environmental scan of Canadian dementia education for acute health care providers; (b) key informant interviews; and, (c) findings from a two-day planning meeting. The results of this collaborative work can and are being used to inform the next steps to develop and pilot a Canadian dementia education program.

A shared decision-making model about care for people with severe dementia: A qualitative study based on nutrition and hydration decisions in acute hospitals

OBJECTIVES

To understand the decision-making processes regarding eating and drinking for hospital patients with severe dementia and use this data to modify a decision-making model about care for people with severe dementia.

METHODS

From January to May 2021, qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 29 family carers and hospital staff in England who cared for people with severe dementia during hospital admissions. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using codebook thematic analysis.

RESULTS

We demonstrated a modified decision-making model consisting of six stages of the decision-making process: (i) identify a decision to be made; (ii) exchange information and recognise emotions; (iii) clarify values and preferences of all involved; (iv) consider feasibility of each choice; (v) share preferred choice and make a final decision; and (vi) deliver the decision, monitor outcomes and renegotiation. From this study, decision-making needed to be shared among all people involved and address holistic needs and personal values of people with dementia and family carers. However, hospital staff often made assumptions about the persons' ability to eat and drink without adequate consultation with family carers. The process was impacted by ward culture, professional practice, and legal framework, which might overlook cultural and personal beliefs of the persons and families. Treatment escalation plans could help inform stepwise treatments, create realistic expectations, and guide future decisions.

CONCLUSIONS

Our decision-making model provides clear stages of decision-making processes and can be used to guide clinical practice and policy around care decisions for eating and drinking, which is often poorly supported.

Digital Health Technology to Support Health Care Professionals and Family Caregivers Caring for Patients With Cognitive Impairment: Scoping Review

BACKGROUND

Digital health technology is a promising way of supporting health care providers and family caregivers as they care for patients with cognitive impairment.

OBJECTIVE

This scoping review aimed to portray the use of digital health technology to assist health care providers and family caregivers in caring for patients with cognitive impairment who live in the community or in a facility.

METHODS

We conducted a scoping review of peer-reviewed scientific articles available in MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Scopus, and CINAHL with Full Text, as well as gray literature available in preprint servers, theses depositories, and various national and international dementia organizations' websites. The search yielded 975 articles, of which we included 7 (0.7%) in the review.

RESULTS

Of the 7 interventions included in the retrieved manuscripts, 2 (29%) were digital calendar reminder systems to support activities of daily living and medication management; 2 (29%) were apps on tablet devices to simulate the presence of family before therapy interventions; 1 (14%) was a social robot used in therapeutic sessions to include elements of musicotherapy, reminiscence, cognitive games, and relaxation; 1 (14%) was a commercially available computer system that provides access to various recreational leisure activities; and 1 (14%) was a web-based self-management support system that helps family caregivers to deal with behavior changes in a relative with dementia. Of the 7 articles, only 1 (14%) reported on the use of a behavior change theory, namely a comprehensive process model of engagement coupled with cognitive stimulation therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Literature on the topic is scarce, recent, and heterogeneous. There is a clear need for a theoretical framework to conceptualize and govern the use of behavior change models that incorporate technology for patients with cognitive impairment.

Reducing Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia in Acutely Ill Patients via Patient Engagement Specialists: A Pilot Feasibility Study

Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are common in hospitalized persons living with dementia (PLWD). This pilot aimed to test the feasibility of an innovative model of care, PES-4-BPSD (a dementia unit staffed with Patient Engagement Specialists, PES). Non-randomized pilot feasibility trial was conducted, enrolling N = 158 patients to the intervention unit (n = 79, a 10-bed dementia unit, staffed with nursing assistants, NAs, with mental health backgrounds, PES) and an enhanced control unit (n = 79, 40-bed medicine unit, staffed with NAs). All NAs/PES (N = 63) received dementia training, with completion rate of 82.5%. Overall, patients had ~1 NPI-Q (Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire) assessment/48 hr. 97% (n = 153) of PLWD exhibited at least one behavior. Average NPI-Q scores did not differ across intervention (5.36) and control (3.87) units (p = .23). Patients on the intervention unit had 88% (p = .002) shorter duration of constant observation. A dementia care unit staffed by PES is an innovative model requiring further research.

Waiting for home: The experience of delayed discharge for people with dementia

INTRODUCTION

Individuals who remain in hospital once their health has stabilised experience delayed discharge. This often occurs for people with dementia when care needs exceed what can be managed at home. There is little research that takes into account the experience and needs of these patients. This Interpretive Description (ID) study, theoretically grounded in personhood and social citizenship perspectives, focused on the perspectives of people with dementia experiencing delayed discharge to address this gap in research and to better understand how nursing care can be improved for them.

METHODS

Twenty-one individuals participated in this study: eight patient participants experiencing delayed discharge and living with dementia, six family members, and seven nurses. Data collection methods primarily included participant observations, totalling 100 h of observations. Fourteen semi-structured interviews were also conducted with family members and nurses and with one patient participant. Informal conversations were undertaken with patient participants who did not take part in interviews.

RESULTS

Thematic analysis resulted in three main themes, encapsulating the patients' experiences: (1) Living and Waiting; (2) Distress and Behaviours; and (3) Looking Beyond the Designation. Findings are discussed in the context of the passive nature of delayed discharge care, the need for person-centred care, and prevailing discourses around the behavioural symptoms of dementia.

CONCLUSION

Implications for nursing practice include the need to acknowledge and foster the abilities of people with dementia. The behaviour narrative and labelling prevalent in hospitals must also be challenged. Lastly, nurses need to recognise the significant transition that is the delayed discharge experience, especially for people with dementia. This study advocates for person-centred and inclusive nursing care, where ongoing needs are recognised and addressed, particularly for people with dementia experiencing delayed discharge, who are waiting for home.

Care experiences of older people with mental health needs and their families in emergency medical services settings

BACKGROUND

There are challenges to person-centred care provision in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) settings. The environment is often busy and noisy which can influence the experience of older people and their carer/partners when they attend emergency departments. Older people with mental health needs are a vulnerable group of people who are at risk of not having their needs met in acute care settings. This is due to complex presentations and increased pressures on the EMS system.

AIM

The aim of the paper was to explore the care experience of older people with mental health needs and their carer/partners in pre-hospital and in-hospital Emergency Medical Services settings.

METHOD

This study used an interpretive qualitative approach incorporating in-depth, individual interviews to gather information on the experience of the older person with mental health needs and carers/partners. Data were analysed using Braun and Clarke's (2006) thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Fifteen individual interviews were carried out with older people with mental health needs (n = 10) and with carers/partners (n = 5). Six themes on 'Getting there, getting in and getting out', 'Seeing the person', 'Perceptions and experiences of the pre-hospital and Emergency Department (ED)', 'The effects of the experience on personal well-being', 'Older person/carer/partner perceptions and experiences of the EMS staff' and 'Making it better' emerged from the data.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that previous experiences with the emergency care system influence the way older people with mental health needs and their carers make decisions on current and future care needs. Negative experiences can be influenced by the layout and organisation of the ED. Participants remain reluctant to discuss or disclose their diagnosis in the Emergency Medical Services setting due to a perceived stigma. Health and social care systems and services need to undergo transformations to ensure that all people who access services are treated fairly and effectively.

Establishment of a teaching hospital-based dementia consultation service for rurally-based regional district general hospitals

Objective

The treatment of patients with dementia poses a considerable challenge to regional district general hospitals, particularly in rural areas. Here we report the establishment and initial evaluation of a dementia-specific consultation service provided by a teaching hospital-based Psychiatry Department to regional district general hospitals in surrounding smaller towns.

Methods

The consultation service was provided to patients with pre-existing or newly suspected dementia, who were in acute hospital care for concurrent conditions. An evaluation of 61 consultations - 49 on-site and 12 via telemedicine - was performed to assess the needs of the participating hospitals and the specific nature of the referrals to the consultation service.

Results

Suspected dementia or cognitive dysfunction was the primary reason for consultation requests (>50% of cases). Other common requests concerned suspected delirium, behavioral symptoms, and therapeutic recommendations. During the consultations, a diagnosis of dementia was reached in 52.5% of cases, with other common diagnoses including delirium and depression. Recommendations related to pharmacotherapy were given in 54.1% of consultations. Other recommendations included referral for outpatient neurological or psychiatric follow-up, further diagnostic assessment, or assessment in a memory clinic. Geriatric psychiatric inpatient treatment was recommended in only seven cases (11.5 %).

Conclusion

Our initial evaluation demonstrates the feasibility of providing a dementia-specific consultation service in rural areas. The service has the potential to reduce acute transfers to inpatient geriatric psychiatry and enables older patients with dementia or delirium to be treated locally by helping and empowering rurally-based regional hospitals to manage these problems and associated complications.

Communication between the multidisciplinary team and families regarding nutrition and hydration for people with severe dementia in acute hospitals: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

When a person with severe dementia is in hospital and has eating and drinking difficulties, communication between the multidisciplinary team and families can be challenging and lead to suboptimal care.

OBJECTIVE

To gain in-depth understanding about the experiences, views and needs of family carers and hospital staff, regarding communication and conversations about nutrition and hydration, for hospital patients with severe dementia.

DESIGN

Qualitative semi-structured interview study.

SETTING

Acute hospital in England.

METHODS

From January to May 2021, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 29 family carers and hospital staff. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using reflexive thematic methods.

RESULTS

Four overarching themes were developed: (i) prerequisites to initiating communication about eating and drinking; (ii) communication aiming to develop agreed care plans; (iii) difficulty discussing palliative and end-of-life care; and (iv) needs of information and plans about future eating and drinking difficulties. Families tended to wait for hospital staff to initiate discussions but usually experienced frustration with delays and repeated conversations with different staff. Some staff felt unprepared to manage these conversations and found it challenging to work across the multidisciplinary team. During discharge processes, key information and care plans about eating and drinking were not regularly passed on to people involved to avoid unnecessary readmissions.

CONCLUSIONS

In acute hospitals, family carers and hospital staff can have disjointed communications and conversations about nutrition and hydration for persons with severe dementia. Timely reassurance, ongoing discussions and clear information sharing will support communication between those involved.

Exploring ways to enhance pain management for older people with dementia in acute care settings using a Participatory Action Research approach

BACKGROUND

Dementia is a progressive condition that leads to reduced cognition, deteriorating communication and is a risk factor for other acute and chronic health problems. The rise in the prevalence of dementia means untreated pain is becoming increasingly common with healthcare staff being challenged to provide optimal pain management. This negatively impacts the person living with dementia and their carers. There is minimal evidence that explores the pain management experience of patients as they move through acute care settings.

OBJECTIVE

To understand the complexities of managing the pain of older people with dementia as they progress through acute care settings, with the view of assisting staff to improve practice.

METHOD

A Participatory Action Research approach, guided by the Promoting Action Research in Health Services framework, was used. Three Action Cycles were completed comprising of an exploratory audit and two case studies (Action Cycle One), three focus groups with a total of 14 participants (Action Cycle Two) and the development and implementation of immediate and long-term actions (Action Cycle Three).

RESULTS

Thematic analysis identified four themes that affected pain management practices. These were not knowing the patient; balancing competing priorities; knowledge and understanding of pain and dementia and not assimilating available information.

CONCLUSION

Pain management practices for patient living with dementia, across acute care settings, was influenced by shared ways of thinking and working. Not knowing the patient, fragmentation of information and having insufficient knowledge of the subtleties of dementia led participants to deliver task-focused, target and policy-driven care that was not person-centred in its approach. Facilitated reflection enabled acute care teams to actively participate in identifying problems and finding solutions to enhance practice.

Nursing care of people with dementia in an orthopaedic acute care setting: An integrative literature review

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

This integrative literature review is to collect what is known about the care of people with dementia when they require a hospital admission for an orthopaedic surgical procedure and to contribute to developing an evidence-base to support nursing practice when caring for people with dementia in an orthopaedic setting.

BACKGROUND

People with a dementia diagnosis are increasingly common in acute orthopaedic care settings and the admission exposes people with dementia to risks during their hospital stay. In addition, nurses find people with dementia challenging to care for due to the complexity of dual conditions. Little is known specifically about the care requirements for people with dementia in orthopaedic settings.

DESIGN

Integrative literature review.

METHODS

An integrative literature review and qualitative deductive content analysis using McCormack and McCance's theoretical nursing framework (Person-Centred Nursing Framework) of nine studies were undertaken. The process of the review was guided by PRISMA checklist.

RESULTS

The care environment and resistance either in passive form, or through physical intervention, is common in orthopaedic nursing. Planning and delivering care for physical, cognitive and emotional needs is identified as being difficult, resulting in a lack of inclusion for patients, partly due to communication challenges. Finding ways to implement tailored care plans within standard ward routines proves difficult, and the consequence is a less than optimal care experience with adverse effects on patients characterised by an increase in dementia symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Care for people with dementia in an orthopaedic setting is complex. It needs to be further studied so that more evidence and supporting literature can contribute to improved care for this group of patients.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

This study describes the complexity of providing fundamental care for people with dual conditions of dementia and orthopaedic injury and suggests opportunities for improvement.

Is There a Role for Medication in Managing Delirium with Dementia?

People with dementia are more likely to develop delirium. We conducted a brief literature search and give a pragmatic overview of the key issues. Making rational and safe prescribing decisions is highly influenced by organisational culture and embedded staff practices. Comprehensive assessment for unmet physical, psychological, and social needs is an important intervention in itself. Taking a broad overview of possible pharmacological interventions should include stopping inappropriate medications and prescribing for key drivers of the underlying causes of delirium. Prescribing psychotropic medications may be indicated where there is significant distress or risk to the person with dementia and risk to those around them. It is vital to consider the dementia subtype and, where possible, involve family and friend carers in the decision-making process. Medications should be prescribed at the lowest possible dose for the least amount of time after carefully weighing risks versus benefits and documenting these. While these cases are challenging for staff and families, it can be rewarding to improve the quality of life and lessen distress for the person with dementia. There are also opportunities for informing family and friend carers, educating the wider multidisciplinary team, and promoting organisational change.

Profiles of frequent emergency department users with chronic conditions: a latent class analysis

OBJECTIVES

Frequent emergency department users represent a small proportion of users while cumulating many visits. Previously identified factors of frequent use include high physical comorbidity, mental health disorders, poor socioeconomic status and substance abuse. However, frequent users do not necessarily exhibit all these characteristics and they constitute a heterogeneous population. This study aims to establish profiles of frequent emergency department users in an adult population with chronic conditions.

DESIGN

This is a retrospective cohort study using administrative databases.

SETTING

All adults who visited the emergency department between 2012 and 2013 (index date) in the province of Quebec (Canada), diagnosed with at least one chronic condition, and without dementia were included. Patients living in remote areas and who died in the year following their index date were excluded. We used latent class analysis, a probability-based model to establish profiles of frequent emergency department users. Frequent use was defined as having five visits or more during 1 year. Patient characteristics included sociodemographic characteristics, physical and mental comorbidities and prior healthcare utilisation.

RESULTS

Out of 4 51 775 patients who visited emergency departments at least once in 2012-2013, 13 676 (3.03%) were frequent users. Four groups were identified: (1) 'low morbidity' (n=5501, 40.2%), (2) 'high physical comorbidity' (n=3202, 23.4%), (3) 'injury or chronic non-cancer pain' (n=2313, 19.5%) and (4) 'mental health or alcohol/substance abuse' (n=2660, 16.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

The four profiles have distinct medical and socioeconomic characteristics. These profiles provide useful information for developing tailored interventions that would address the specific needs of each type of frequent emergency department users.

Hospital practices and clinical outcomes associated with behavioral symptoms in persons with dementia

BACKGROUND

Hospitalized persons living with dementia (PLWD) often experience behavioral symptoms that challenge medical care.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to identify clinical practices and outcomes associated with behavioral symptoms in hospitalized PLWD.

DESIGN

A retrospective cross-sectional study.

SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS

The study included PLWD (65+) admitted to one of severe health system hospitals in 2019.

INTERVENTION

Behavioral symptoms were defined as the presence of (1) a psychoactive medication for behavioral symptoms; (2) an order for physical restraints or constant observation; and/or (3) physician documentation of delirium, encephalopathy, or behavioral symptoms.

MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURES

Associations between behavioral symptoms and patient characteristics and hospital practices (e.g., bladder catheter) were examined. Multivariable logistic/linear regression was used to evaluate the association between behavioral symptoms and clinical outcomes (e.g., mortality).

RESULTS

Of hospitalized PLWD (N = 8637), the average age was 84.5 years (IQR = 79-90), 61.7% were female, 60.1% were white, and 9.4% (n = 833) were Hispanic. Behavioral symptoms were identified in 40.6% (N = 3606) of individuals. Behavioral symptoms were significantly associated with male gender (40.3% vs. 36.9%, p = .001), white race (62.7% vs. 58.3%, p < .001), and residence in a facility prior to admission (26.6% vs. 23.7%, p < .001). Regarding hospital practices, indwelling bladder catheters (11.2% vs. 6.0%, p < .001) and dietary restriction (41.9% vs. 33.8%, p < .001) were associated with behavioral symptoms. In multivariable models, behavioral symptoms were associated with increased hospital mortality (odds ratio [OR]: 1.90, CI95%: 1.57-2.29), length of stay (parameter estimate: 2.10, p < .001), 30-day readmissions (OR: 1.14, CI95%: 1.014-1.289), and decreased discharge home (OR: 0.59, CI95%: 0.53-0.65, p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Given the association between behavioral symptoms and poor clinical outcomes, there is an urgent need to improve the provision of care for hospitalized PLWD.

The 4Ms of an Age-Friendly Health System An evidence-based framework to ensure older adults receive the highest quality care

This article is the first in a new series, Supporting Family Caregivers in the 4Ms of an Age-Friendly Health System, published in collaboration with the AARP Public Policy Institute and originally appearing in the American Journal of Nursing, Volume 121, Issue 11, as part of the ongoing Supporting Family Caregivers: No Longer Home Alone series. The 4Ms of an Age-Friendly Health System (What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility) is an evidence-based framework for assessing and acting on critical issues in the care of older adults across settings and transitions of care. Engaging the health care team, including older adults and their family caregivers, with the 4Ms framework can help to ensure that every older adult gets the best care possible, is not harmed by health care, and is satisfied with the care they receive. The articles in this new series present considerations for implementing the 4Ms framework in the inpatient hospital setting and incorporating family caregivers in doing so. Resources for both nurses and family caregivers, including a series of accompanying videos developed by AARP and the Rush Center for Excellence in Aging and funded by the John A. Hartford Foundation, are also provided. Nurses should read the articles first, so they understand how best to help family caregivers. Then they can refer caregivers to the informational tear sheet-Guide to the 4Ms of an Age-Friendly Health System for Family Caregivers-and instructional videos, encouraging them to ask questions. For additional information, see Resources for Nurses. Cite this article as: Emery-Tiburcio, E.E., et al. The 4Ms of an Age-Friendly Health System. Am J Nurs 2021; 121(11): 44-49.

Hospital nurses' management of agitation in older cognitively impaired patients: do they recognise pain-related agitation?

BACKGROUND

cognitively impaired hospital patients often experience agitation and aggression due to pain. Agitation complicates care, increasing the risk of adverse outcomes and patient-to-nurse violence. Managing agitation is challenging for nurses. Literature suggests they may rely on antipsychotics while missing other more appropriately targeted treatments. However, nurses' management of agitation remains unclear and under-researched.

OBJECTIVE

the aim of this study was to investigate hospital nurses' management of agitation in older cognitively impaired patients with pain.

DESIGN

this was a descriptive correlational study using virtual simulation.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

a total of 274 registered medical and surgical nurses from 10 public hospitals in Queensland, Australia participated in the study.

METHODS

nurses undertook a virtual simulation requiring them to manage agitation in a patient with dementia and an injury. Nurses also completed a post-simulation questionnaire. Their simulation performances were correlated with demographics such as seniority, workplace, training, experience and gerontology-specific knowledge. Constructed from an original, validated vignette, the simulation included branching pathways, video scenarios and an avatar that could converse with participants.

RESULTS

thirteen nurses (4.7%) recognised and treated the virtual patient's agitation as pain-related. Most nurses (89%) gave antipsychotics of which 207 (78%) gave these first-line and 102 (38%) used them twice. Independent of other variables, nurses most likely to diagnose pain were dementia-unit nurses (OR = 8.7), surgical-unit nurses (OR = 7.3) and senior nurses (OR = 5).

CONCLUSIONS

hospital nurses predominately managed agitation with antipsychotics, a decision that most made after undertaking inadequate patient assessments. This confirmed a common gap in practice that may lead to the missing of pain in the clinical care of agitated patients with dementia and/or delirium.

Italian Dementia-Friendly Hospital Trial (IDENTITÀ): efficacy of a dementia care intervention for hospital staff

This study investigated the short-term impact and the retention of a dementia care intervention for healthcare staff working in an Italian acute hospital setting. Additionally, we identified the predictors of improvement across the intervention. Sixty-two healthcare staff from an Italian public hospital participated in a dementia care intervention consisting of 5 modules delivered in a 5-hour training program focusing on dementia management, knowledge, and care. A pre-test/post-test and six-months follow-up design was used to evaluate participants' changes in knowledge, attitudes, and confidence in dementia. The intervention significantly improved healthcare staff's dementia knowledge and confidence immediately after the end of the intervention. No significant changes were observed from post-test to follow-up, indicating retention of these outcomes over six months. Regarding attitude to dementia, we found an immediate improvement only in the Recognition of Personhood scale. Looking at the predictors of improvement, healthcare staff with lower levels of knowledge, attitudes, and confidence in dementia at pre-test were those who improved more following the intervention. These findings provide further evidence that dementia care interventions are suitable initiatives to promote knowledge and skills required to manage the needs of people with dementia in an acute hospital setting.

Hospitality in dementia-friendly environments is significant to caregivers during hospitalisation of their loved ones. A qualitative study

AIM AND OBJECTIVES

To explore what is meaningful to caregivers in relation to a dementia-friendly environment during hospitalisation of their loved ones with dementia or cognitive impairment.

BACKGROUND

Implementation of dementia-friendly initiatives and person-centred care approach have shaped the political agenda within Danish society. Patients with dementia or cognitive impairment and their accompanying caregivers are challenged when admitted to hospital. During hospitalisation, caregivers find themselves in a vulnerable state of mind. Thus, the implementation of a dementia-friendly environment and adherence to person-centred care in hospital settings leaves room for improvement.

METHODS

This study was guided by a qualitative and explorative approach. Data were collected through 17 semi-structured interviews with caregivers at a subacute neurological ward. Thematic analysis was employed to interpret data. The study reports according to the COREQ checklist.

RESULTS

The following three themes were identified: 1) Being a watchful bystander. 2) Visiting an undefined and foreign environment. 3) Longing for kindness.

CONCLUSION

Hospitality expressed by staff towards caregivers is significant in allowing caregivers to experience hospital environments as "friendly." Dementia-friendly environments embrace existential aspects that go far beyond physical spaces; hence, experiences of kind acts shape caregivers' sense of safety and comfort during hospitalisation. Hospitality is an essential part of nursing in dementia care because caregivers are contextually vulnerable. Our study sheds new light on the provision of person-centred care to people with dementia and their families in healthcare.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Nurses need to be aware that caregivers experience vulnerability and to involve caregivers in the care provided for patients with dementia. We recommend that a permanent contact person be appointed to follow patients throughout their admission period. Furthermore, systematic interventions focusing on phenomena such as hospitality and kindness may serve to form a person-centred clinical culture; an issue that warrants further investigation.

Exploring dementia care in acute care settings: Perspectives of nurses and social workers on caring for patients with behavioral and psychological symptoms

This qualitative study compares perspectives of nurses (n = 5) and social workers (n = 12) about their role in caring for patients with dementia with behavioral and psychological problems in an acute care setting. A thematic qualitative analysis was conducted using the Rigorous and Accelerated Data Reduction Technique (RADaR). Three themes emerged: engagement of the patient and coordination with family and professionals, treatment and medical management of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in the hospital, and barriers to care. Barriers to care are identified by both professions, with each having its own care niche. Social workers and nurses work as a team with the understanding that they face care challenges. Person centered care is a successful approach for the care team working with patients with BPSD.

Characteristics of dementia-friendly hospitals: an integrative review

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Dementia-friendly initiatives are becoming common in society, politics, and research, including health care. Regarding efforts to improve care for patients with dementia in hospitals, the term dementia-friendly hospital is being used increasingly. However, a theoretical understanding of this term and the underlying concept are missing. This integrative review aims to identify current descriptions of dementia-friendly hospitals and to analyze their characteristics.

METHODS

An integrative review was conducted. The databases MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycInfo, Cochrane Library, and additional resources were searched. Two reviewers independently screened publications for inclusion. We extracted data from the included publications and analyzed the descriptions of dementia-friendly hospitals using inductive content analysis in an iterative process.

RESULTS

We identified 4191 records and included 34 publications on 17 descriptions of dementia-friendly hospitals. These were found in the context of practice projects (n = 8), recommendations (n = 6) and research (n = 3). Our analysis resulted in six characteristics of dementia-friendly hospitals. Characteristics related to the patients and their care are continuity, person-centeredness, consideration of phenomena within dementia and environment. Additional characteristics are valuing relatives and knowledge and expertise within the hospital.

CONCLUSION

Dementia-friendly hospitals are currently characterized more by healthcare practices and professional dementia experts than by the results of empirical studies. Additionally, the perspective of people with dementia is underrepresented in current descriptions. Accordingly, further research is needed that involves people with dementia in order to develop a theoretical understanding and suitable concepts of dementia-friendly hospitals, since their perspective is essential.

Practice of end-of-life care for patients with advanced dementia by hospital physicians and nurses: Comparison between medical and surgical wards

BACKGROUND

Patients with advanced dementia are commonly hospitalized in acute care wards, yet there is limited data regarding the end-of-life (EOL) care delivered to this population. The aim of the study was to examine EOL care delivered to patients with advanced dementia hospitalized on acute wards as reported by physicians and nurses.

METHODS

Participants were physicians and nurses from medical and surgical wards of two tertiary hospitals in Israel. Participants completed a self-report questionnaire evaluating EOL care experiences, knowledge, performance, assessment, communication, and perceived futile care regarding patients with dementia.

RESULTS

The questionnaire was completed by 315 providers. There were 190 medical ward respondents and 125 from general surgical wards. Of them, 48.6% recognized dementia as a terminal disease, while 26.0% of the participants reported that they knew the end-of-life preferences for less than 10% of their patients. Among the providers, 53.3% reported that end-of-life ward discussions took place only when there was a life-threatening situation and 11.1%-16.5% never engaged in end-of-life communication regarding EOL patient's preferences, appointing an attorney for the patient, disease trajectory or the essence of palliative care, with patients or their representatives. Only 17.1% reported "never" performing care they considered to be futile for patients with advanced dementia. Controlling for gender, age, role, position (senior/junior), and exposure to patients with advanced dementia, surgical ward respondents reported performing less EOL care than medical ward respondents in almost all aspects of palliative care.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite growing attention, a significant portion of staff in acute care wards do not report applying EOL care to patients with advanced dementia in clinical practice, especially surgical ward staff.

Providing music therapy for people with dementia in an acute mental health setting

As global figures for dementia are set to rise significantly, there has been a shift towards using non-pharmacological interventions such as music therapy to enhance the quality of life for people with the condition. Research into music therapy interventions for this patient group in acute mental health inpatient settings, however, is limited. This article describes a service evaluation that explored whether group music therapy was effective for people with dementia in such settings. Open group music therapy sessions were hosted weekly in two acute wards and the researchers examined the social and behavioural outcomes of participants pre and post-intervention. The results indicated that music therapy significantly improved patient outcomes following participation. The outcome measure developed for this service evaluation was found to be a reliable tool for measuring the effectiveness of music therapy on patient outcomes.

Cancer treatment decisions for people living with dementia: Experiences of family carers, a qualitative interview study

Background

As the UK population ages, the prevalence of both dementia and cancer will increase. Family carers of people with dementia who are subsequently diagnosed with cancer are often involved in treatment decisions about cancer. These decisions are uniquely challenging.

Objectives

To explore the experience of carers involved in cancer treatment decisions for people with dementia.

Design

A cross‐sectional qualitative interview study with inductive thematic analysis.

Setting and Participants

Sixteen carers of people with dementia were identified via Primary Care Research Networks and the Join Dementia Research database.

Results

Three main themes were derived: ‘already at breaking point’, which describes the extreme strain that carers were already under when the cancer diagnosis was made; ‘maintaining the status quo’, which describes how despite the gravity of a cancer diagnosis, avoiding further dementia‐related deterioration was of prime importance; and ‘LPA’, which explores the benefits and frustrations of the use of lasting powers of attorney.

Discussion

Current services are ill‐equipped to deal with people who have a combination of dementia and cancer. Proxy decisions about cancer care are made in the context of carer stress and exhaustion, which is exacerbated by shortcomings in service provision.

Conclusions

As the prevalence of comorbid cancer and dementia rises, there is an urgent need to improve services that support carers with proxy health care decision‐making.

Patient or Public Contribution

The study design was codeveloped with a local dementia‐specific patient and public involvement (PPI) group. A project‐specific PPI group was formed with support from the Alzheimer's Society Research Partnership scheme to provide further bespoke input.

Implementing Gentle Persuasive Approaches dementia education for staff on in-patient medicine units: A program evaluation

Older adults with dementia, when hospitalised, frequently experience responsive behaviours. Staff struggle to manage responsive behaviours without specific education. We aimed to enhance staff knowledge and confidence with care for older adults with dementia and responsive behaviours on medicine units at a Canadian hospital. An online dementia education program was disseminated to staff as part of a broader quality improvement project. Gentle Persuasive Approaches (GPA) encourages staff to reframe responsive behaviours as self-protective expressions of unmet needs and learn to assess their meaning. Participants completed online quantitative and qualitative measures of self-efficacy, competence and knowledge in dementia care at three times: immediate pre-, immediate post- and six to eight weeks post-GPA eLearning. Immediately post-GPA, participants showed significant increases relative to baseline in dementia care self-efficacy, competence and knowledge. Self-efficacy scores increased further eight weeks post-GPA. Before GPA, few participants described dementia-specific strategies for de-escalating a patient’s agitation. Eight weeks post-GPA, participants described application of tailored, person-centred, non-pharmacological interventions and successful application of GPA strategies. GPA eLearning strengthened staff preparedness to interact with older adults experiencing responsive behaviours, thus enhancing their care.

Preferences of newly qualified healthcare professionals for working with people with dementia: a qualitative study

Background

there is little research on preferences in students and newly qualified healthcare professionals for working with people with dementia. Understanding the development of these preferences can help inform strategies to increase workforce capacity in response to current suboptimal dementia care and the increasing numbers of people with dementia.

Objective

to explore the factors that influence career preferences in relation to working with people with dementia. Specifically, to understand how these factors relate to early career doctors’ and nurses’ preferences and how they influence decisions and perspectives on their careers.

Methods

qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with 27 newly qualified doctors and nurses within 2 years of graduation. This included a subset of participants that had taken part in a dementia educational intervention during their undergraduate training. Transcripts were analysed using grounded theory methods.

Results

the results present six main categories representing complex interlinked factors influencing preferences for working with people with dementia as well as exploring the definition of a career working with people with dementia. The factors include the importance of making a difference; seeing dementia care as a different type of care; its perceived alignment with personal characteristics; perceptions of people with dementia; care environments and career characteristics.

Discussion

this is the first study to explore the factors influencing preferences for working with people with dementia in newly qualified healthcare professionals. It provides useful data to inform workforce planning, and curriculum and practice development to stimulate interest and drive improved quality of care.

Testing the sensitivity of two dementia knowledge instruments in dementia workforce education

BACKGROUND

The importance of dementia education in improving the care and support that people living with dementia is well established. Previous research has shown ceiling effects in pre and post educational intervention measures of dementia knowledge using Knowledge in Dementia Scale (KIDE) on post-registered health and social care staff in Scotland. The aim was to test the sensitivity of two dementia knowledge instruments, namely the (KIDE) and the Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale (DKAS).

DESIGN

A pre and post evaluation comparison of two dementia knowledge scales.

SETTING

The tenth cohort of Scotland's National Dementia Champions Education Programme, September 2019-March 2020.

PARTICIPANTS

Post-registered Health and Social Care staff (n = 117).

METHODS

Both the DKAS and KIDE scales were administered pre and post programme delivery. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were performed to examine T1 - T2 differences in dementia knowledge for both validated measures.

RESULTS

Ceiling effects continued to be present for the KIDE scale at T1 and T2. The DKAS responses showed a different score distribution than that achieved by the KIDE. Ceiling effects noted for KIDE at T1 were not present for the DKAS. Further, at T2, only 6% of respondents scored the maximum on the DKAS.

CONCLUSIONS

The DKAS appears to be a more useful instrument for measuring knowledge in post-registered health and social care staff; however, there was some evidence of ceiling effects post-intervention. There is a need for both scales to be tested in more educationally diverse populations, so educators and researchers can make informed decisions about the instrument's target range. Additionally, further research is needed to develop new sets of dementia knowledge items suitable for use in trained health and social care staff.

Person-Centred Dementia Care in an Acute Hospital: Experiences from Nurses Working in a Specialized Dementia Unit

BACKGROUND

Person-centred care (PCC) is synonymous with best practice in the care of persons with dementia. However, the research focus has been in long-term care settings with less attention in acute hospitals. We aimed to study the perspectives and experiences of nurses implementing PCC in an acute hospital dementia unit (Care for Acute Mentally Infirm Elders [CAMIE]).

METHOD

This was an exploratory qualitative study involving individual, face-to-face, semi-structured in-depth interviews. A purposive sample of 10 nurses participated in the interview. We employed an inductive thematic analysis approach to analyse the qualitative data.

RESULTS

The findings highlighted the positive experiences, for example, meaningful connection with patients and the challenges, for example, managing challenging behaviour in providing PCC. The initial challenges were due to a lack of prior knowledge and experience. Through formal and informal learning, the nurses built confidence and competence, and also provided support to one other. They emphasized the importance of teamwork and camaraderie in the CAMIE team but raised concerns about the negative perceptions of non-CAMIE nurses on the value of their work.

CONCLUSION

Despite the challenges, adequate knowledge and robust organizational level support are the key support for nurses to embrace PCC as their care ethos in the acute care setting.

[Discharge management in German hospitals for cognitively impaired, older people-a scoping review]

BACKGROUND

In German hospitals approximately 40% of all patients over the age of 65 years are cognitively impaired (MmkB). After discharge from hospital it is particularly important for MmkB that the transition to domestic life is organized as seamlessly and as well-coordinated as possible.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to determine the existing evidence on discharge management (EM) in MmkB and people with dementia (MmD). Furthermore, the study examined the necessity of an intersectoral concept for MmkB.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Based on a scoping review a total of 102 publications were identified, of which 6 articles were finally used for the evaluation.

RESULTS

The article provides an overview of the current care of MmkB in acute care hospitals in Germany. General information on EM in hospitals was given in three of the six publications included. Information on special discharge and care management for MmkB and MmD was contained in five out of six papers.

DISCUSSION

The article illustrates significant gaps in the hospital care for older MmkB, in particular at the interface of discharge management and demonstrates the need for new care models. To what extent these new care models can be structurally, procedurally and systemically embedded in the standard care and financed, is an open and unexplored question.

The 4Ms of an Age-Friendly Health System

This article is the first in a new series, Supporting Family Caregivers in the 4Ms of an Age-Friendly Health System, published in collaboration with the AARP Public Policy Institute as part of the ongoing Supporting Family Caregivers: No Longer Home Alone series. The 4Ms of an Age-Friendly Health System (What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility) is an evidence-based framework for assessing and acting on critical issues in the care of older adults across settings and transitions of care. Engaging the health care team, including older adults and their family caregivers, with the 4Ms framework can help to ensure that every older adult gets the best care possible, is not harmed by health care, and is satisfied with the care they receive. The articles in this new series present considerations for implementing the 4Ms framework in the inpatient hospital setting and incorporating family caregivers in doing so. Resources for both nurses and family caregivers, including a series of accompanying videos developed by AARP and the Rush Center for Excellence in Aging and funded by the John A. Hartford Foundation, are also provided. Nurses should read the articles first, so they understand how best to help family caregivers. Then they can refer caregivers to the informational tear sheet-Guide to the 4Ms of an Age-Friendly Health System for Family Caregivers-and instructional videos, encouraging them to ask questions. For additional information, see Resources for Nurses.

Experiential Learning Through a Dementia Simulation

Health care providers do not always possess the knowledge and skills necessary to optimally manage behavioral symptoms in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). The purpose of the current project was to evaluate the use of a simulated virtual reality AD experience on nursing staff sensitivity, awareness, and perceptions of caring for patients with AD. A quasi-experimental design was used. The Long Tour Survey and Approaches to Dementia Questionnaire were administered pre and post simulation and the Perceptions of Caring surveys were administered 3 to 6 weeks post-intervention. Total scores, although not statistically significant, revealed a slight change in the total score and hope subscale, representing more optimism toward people with dementia. The virtual reality AD simulation was a beneficial experience but unable to demonstrate a real change for the majority of participants. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 47(11), 39-47.].

Evaluation and Effectiveness of a Two-Day Dementia Training Program for Hospital Staff Working in an Emergency Department

Background:

Entering the hospital via an Emergency Department (ED) is a pivotal moment in the life of People with Dementia (PwD) and often starts an avoidable downward spiral. Therefore, it is required to further educate ED staff to raise awareness of the needs of PwD. Although there are many studies about existing dementia training programs for the hospital setting, empirical evidence for the ED setting and cross-level training evaluations are lacking.

Objective:

The study aims to evaluate a two-day dementia training course for ED staff on the outcome levels of learning, individual performance, and organizational performance. Furthermore, the study examines whether the training fulfilled participants’ expectations.

Methods:

Mixed methods were used to assess data from head nurses, nursing, and administrative staff working in EDs. We conducted semi-structured interviews three weeks before (N = 18) and eight months after (N = 9) the training. Questionnaire data were assessed before the training, three months, and six months after the training (N = 44). A qualitative content analysis was conducted to analyze qualitative data; quantitative data was described descriptively.

Results:

The intervention seems to be effective on both learning and individual performance levels. However, we did not observe any changes in the organizational performance. The training program met attendees’ expectations only partly. The working environment of EDs needs to be taken more into account.

Conclusion:

Hospital staffs’ expectations of a dementia training program depend on the work area in which they operate. Results support the implementation of intervention bundles to enable sustainable cross-level changes.