We recognise that a hospital environment can be a stressful and worrying time for those with dementia. We have a dedicated Dementia and Delirium team to support ward teams to provide a compassionate and positive experience for those with dementia to help them in their recovery.

Dartford & Gravesham NHS Trust support John’s Campaign: This means we will make reasonable adjustments to help you spend as much time with the person with dementia as you wish to help them in their recovery by support from loved one, feel safe, encouragement to eat & drink, take medications.

John's Campaign is an attitude of mind which respects the rights and choices of the person who needs care and values the essential input of the informal carer (or family member) as well as the expertise of the professional. Everyone has a part to play in this.

johnscampaign.org.uk

What is a Dementia Buddy Volunteer?

A Dementia Buddy volunteer is a ward based volunteer, supporting older patients with Dementia by:

·         Promoting dignity and respect

·         Providing social support whilst in an acute hospital setting

·         Engage in activities to help maintain cognitive capabilities

We offer training so that volunteers have a good understanding of dementia and how they can positively engage with our patients. 

It can take 2-6 weeks, sometimes longer, for training and legal checks to be undertaken, before volunteers are placed on a ward. The service runs throughout the day with volunteers offering a minimum of 3 hours of support. Dementia Buddies are allocated to individual wards based on volunteer availability.

If you know someone interested in becoming a Dementia Buddy Volunteer at Darent Valley Hospital please visit: https://www.dgt.nhs.uk/adagio/departments/staff-directory/vounteering to access the application form. 

Dementia Guardians are a network of staff members that have pledged to uphold the Privacy & Dignity of patients with dementia. Each Guardian has access to additional training & support from the dementia team. Each Guardian has also made a pledge specific to their role, this could be to always give choice where able, such as choosing meals or what to wear, or to challenge others to make sure dignity is always upheld. We have as many as 100 Guardians based across all the wards, who are happy to assist patients & their relatives. 

Darent Valley encourages the use of The Alzheimer’s Society This is Me document which is complimented with a wristband to identify patients with memory impairment who may need additional support while in hospital. If you have a This is Me, please bring it hospital with you. If you do not already have one, we can provide one for you, please speak to staff.

'This is me' can be used to record details about a person who can't easily share information about themselves. For example, it can be used to record:

  • A person’s cultural and family background
  • Important events, people and places from their life
  • Their preferences and routines

'This is me' helps health and social care professionals better understand who the person really is, which can help them deliver care that is tailored to the person's needs. It can therefore help to reduce distress for people with dementia and their carers. It can also help to overcome problems with communication, and prevent more serious conditions such as malnutrition and dehydration.

alzheimers.org.uk

Being a carer of someone with dementia can be both challenging and rewarding. Here at Dartford & Gravesham NHS Trust, we recognise that a hospital admission can be a worrying time and additional support and information is available to help you in your role.

The Dementia Carer Support Worker is able to provide accessible information and advice tailored to carers’ circumstances. This may include providing information (e.g. carer assessments), signposting to services (e.g. carers groups) and referring carers to local support organisations. We can also provide and support completion of This is Me Booklet and wristbands.

A-Z Directory of Dementia Services can be found on ADAGIO (dgt.nhs.uk)

Useful information for ward inpatients

Contact: Shelley Gialanze

Phone: 07727 691014

Email: dgn-tr.informationdept@nhs.net

ADSS Dementia Coordinators

ADSS is a local charity that provides in reach to hospital patients to help support the transition between hospital and the community.

“We will partner with you and discuss not only what your needs are but what you want out of life, make plans for the future and help you achieve this. We will help you to create an individual support plan and work with you to achieve the results you want.”

This service is free and anyone can refer. If you live in Dartford, Gravesham, Swanley, Medway, Swale or West Kent and want our support please ask ward staff to refer you. Alternatively, you can contact: 0800 035 2221 or email referrals@alz-dem.org 

Website: Alzheimer's and Dementia Support Services (alz-dem.org)

IMAGO Well-Being Community Navigator working within the Integrated Discharge Team.

Community Navigators offer a personalised approach, enabling individuals and their Carers to remain independent in their own homes, increasing their ability to take control and self-manage.

“We link people with appropriate local services and organisations who can provide ongoing help such as: Befriending, Home Safety, Financial Support and benefits advice, Housing, Social Prescribing and much more.”

IDT will coordinate discharge and ask the IMAGO Community Navigator to support you depending on your individual needs.

If you want to know more about IMAGO contact: 01892 530330 Website: Imago Community

We have some additional resources to support activity on the ward - activity boxes with easy read books, games, puzzles, twiddle muffs & blankets.

We can also help in supporting nutrition, by using adaptive cutlery and red trays to highlight those that need help at mealtimes.

Dementia Team Overview

Dementia Team for inpatients

We are not a diagnostic service, but can offer information about how dementia is diagnosed in the community. We offer care planning for people living with dementia while they are in hospital, and support for people who are experiencing increased distress or complex needs.

We promote John’s Campaign, which allows carers to stay with their family member during their hospital stay. We can also offer advice and support to family and carers.

We work closely with ward nurses and doctors as well as with other specialist teams and can offer guidance in supporting people with delirium or confusion who are distressed.

How do you use this service If your relative, or person you care for has a diagnosis of dementia, the ward staff can contact the dementia team to support you.

Our Team

Dementia Specialist Nurse

The Dementia and Delirium Nurse Specialist has responsibility for receiving referrals from ward teams across the Trust for patients who have confusion.

The Dementia Specialist Nurse is experienced in nursing patients with acute and long term confusion and is able to advise, support and provide assessment and care planning recommendations to ward teams. The nurse is also able to work with patients when they are confused and aggressive to help with de-escalation of behavioural symptoms of Dementia.

The role also involves education and teaching for Trust staff in Dementia & Delirium.

Dementia Buddy Co-ordinator

The Dementia Buddy Co-ordinator recruits and provides training to our Dementia Buddy Volunteers in Person-Centred care and how best to support patients with dementia. The Co-ordinator also provides ongoing support to volunteers with shadowing until confident and regular visits throughout their volunteering career, along with producing a regular volunteers newsletter & survey.

Additionally the Co-ordinator supports the Trust Dementia Education programme providing training in person-centred care to the ward teams.

Dementia/Delirium Administrator & Carer Support

Provides administrative support to all aspects of the Dementia Team activity ensuring the smooth running of this inpatient service.

Administers the Carer & Patient surveys (providing impartial support to complete where needed) to collect feedback about services and care provided to inpatients with dementia & cognitive impairment.

Publishes the Carers Voice Newsletter to share with teams the feedback received to enable teams to reflect on practice & inform improvement initiatives.

Can provide information, literature & signposting on a wide range of community dementia services for the surrounding areas including neighbouring counties.