04/10/2024
We recently spent 5 days in the hospital for what turned out to be a UTI. Not uncommon for many with dementia due to the variable or even complete lack of symptoms, as well as communication difficulties.
Those same communication difficulties meant I spent 4 nights there with mom and she was never alone, as she is not a functional communicator. It was an interesting opportunity to observe the level of dementia-informed care, the efficacy of our own use of sensory strategies, and all the ways the outcome could/would have been much different without constant family/advocate presence.
We avoided any psych/sedative medications due to being present and talking her through every blood draw, lovenox shot, and unpleasant procedure. We were able to intervene when whole instead of crushed meds were attempted, and monitored for skin breakdown and provided repositioning when staff did not. I was able to observe and alert staff when the IV site started swelling and turning red, and then able to avoid unnecessary re-placement of IV. The list goes on.
What kinds of dementia training are being provided to staff in hospitals? How can we better teach families of loved ones with dementia to advocate and prepare for these events? How might the GUIDE program address these needs?
