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Care Opinion

Dementia

Posted By importerwt47

"Dementia"

About: Joondalup Health Campus / Rehabilitation and Aged Care Public Ward

(as the patient),

I am a patient in Joondalup currently and I have made a serious observation that I believe needs addressing for the poor nurses dealing with dementia patients that refuse to settle in bed and rest or sleep. I had personal experience with my parent who was a frequent patient in the D.O ward. Now I feel Doctors are the ones who really need to read this. I cannot believe this has not changed in the several yrs since my parent passed away. 

In my opinion, all geriatricians need to do a nightshift caring for a restless dementia patient!

In my opinion, these patients need to be sedated so they are resting peacefully at night. Why Drs refuse to give sedation to these confused and restless patients is beyond me! I believe they say they are a falling risk. Well, I believe with them up pacing all night they are more of a risk at falling than if they are sedated in their beds.

I believe that if they would get their noses out of their medical books and see first hand what these nurses are going through night after night... I'm certain they would change their opinion. My own parent needed sedation at night as they were up all night and slept all day. Their spouse and I were exhausted. 

Come on geriatricians, I believe you need to get your act together and listen to what the nurses are saying. 

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Responses

Response from Kate Caldcleugh-Johnson, Acting Deputy Director of Clinical Services, Joondalup Health Campus 3 years ago
Kate Caldcleugh-Johnson
Acting Deputy Director of Clinical Services,
Joondalup Health Campus

Submitted on 14/10/2020 at 11:23 AM
Published on Care Opinion at 11:23 AM

Dear importerwt47,

Thank you for your feedback posted on the Care Opinion site regarding observations you have made regarding the care of patients with dementia at JHC.

We acknowledge that caring for patients living with dementia and who may be experiencing Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) can be challenging for staff. We recognize that BPSD is often related to an unmet need and can be distressing for the patient and those around them.

However, we wish to assure you that ongoing dementia training is provided for staff and best practice principles are used to guide the care of patients living with dementia. This includes the Delirium Clinical Care Standard and the Cognitive Decline Partnership Centre’s (CDPC) Clinical Practice Guidelines for Dementia, as part of our commitment to providing ongoing, safe and quality care to these patients.

Patients who are experiencing BPSD are assessed and cared for using a number of strategies which form part of the CDPC Clinical Practice Guidelines for Dementia. These guidelines suggest that clinicians should investigate the possible causes of BPSD and advises strategies such as emotional support and diversional therapies. Sedation should be reserved for situations where patients are at imminent risk of harm to themselves or others and where de-escalation by other means has not been successful.

We trust that this information provides you with the reassurance that we have taken your concerns seriously, however, if you would like to discuss this issue further please contact our consumer liaison office on 08 9400 9672 or email consumerliaison.jhc@ramsayhealth.com.au

Yours sincerely,

Kate Caldcleugh-Johnson

Acting Deputy Director of Clinical Services

Joondalup Health Campus

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