By Sandra O’Connell
Fortunately, this situation
is starting to change. An
article in the
American
Journal of Nursing
described how to recognize
dementia in the hospital setting
and the impact it has on
treatment. “Hospital patients
with dementia as compared with
other hospital patients
experience higher rates of
delirium, falls, new
incontinence, pressure ulcers,
untreated pain...inadequate food
and fluid intake, and sleep
disturbances.”
(Recognition of Dementia in
Hospitalized Older Adults,
Maslow and Mezey, AJN,
January, 2008.)
4. Keep a written
record of all medical
information.
The hospital thrives on records;
be ready to provide all the
information they need –
repeatedly. Keep a list of
medications, dosage levels,
doctors’ names and phone
numbers, past hospitalizations,
and current conditions. Your
documents help to insure that
accurate information is in the
records. Realize that each time
medical information is
transferred, the possibility for
error increases. When
going from the emergency room to
a regular bed, coming from a
nursing home to the hospital,
whatever the route, verify each
time that the medical record is
correct. After an illness
that involved three transfers
and several doctors, I found
five errors in my husband’s
medication records.
One of the advantages of an
advocate is that you are there
24x7, so it is likely you will
be there when the doctors make
rounds. Take notes with
each visit, as most likely you
will need to coordinate issues
among various specialists.
This is a critical aspect of the
caregiver-advocate role.
Keep track of questions as they
arise and have your notes
available when the doctor
arrives, which may be at 7 a.m.
or 10 p.m. or anytime in
between.
5. Personalize
and manage the hospital
environment.
Routine and familiar
surroundings are essential to a
person with dementia struggling
to make sense out of a strange
place. The first request
should be for a private room;
another patient in the room will
be incredibly distracting and
difficult. Look for ways
to personalize the space and
provide comfort to your loved
one. Bring in a favorite
coverlet or pillow, tape large
photos on the wall or cabinet;
ask if you may provide a drink
or food that Mom especially
likes. With
hospitalization, families may
find an outpouring of concern
which may result in a lot of
visitors. Given the
already confusing surroundings,
experts recommend limiting
visitors. Let people know
that your loved one will rest
and heal best with quiet and
calm.
Since you are staying in the
hospital for possibly days or
weeks, pack your own bag with
maintenance and comfort items
which may include: lots of
change for the vending machines,
toothbrush, reading material,
comfortable pillow, change of
clothes, water, and snacks. Do
remember that hospitals limit
the use of cell phones to areas
where they will not interfere
with equipment.
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