A project to help hospital patients with dementia

1. A project to help hospital patients with dementia Project team:Louise Jenkins, Ward Sister & Project Lead Karen Hollocks, Media & Communications Manager Emma Lever, Senior Occupational Therapist Charlotte Day, HCA & Dementia Champion Jill Legg, Public Representative Project supported by…

2. “Even if I forget my facts, I remember my feelings” - An insight from a patient with dementia

3. About the project • Dignity in Dementia began as a project to enhance the healing environment on Lulworth Ward • Lulworth Ward is an acute medical ward for elderly people where a high proportion of patients have some form of cognitive disorder • The project looked at aspects of the environment such as colour, lighting, décor and signage, and consider how these can be improved to help patients • Funding - The King’s Fund EHE programme; The Trust Board and Fundraising

4. Join us on a journey…

16. Why does the environment matter? “The first requirement of a hospital should be that it should do the sick no harm. Little as we know about the way in which we are affected by form, colour, by light, we do know this – that they have a physical effect. Variety of form and brilliancy of colour in the objects presented to patients is the actual means of recovery.” Florence Nightingale, Notes on Hospitals, 1885

17. How do colour & art make a difference? • Perception of colour deteriorates with age; dementia further limits ability to distinguish colours (eg contrast, sensitivity) • Strong colours and contrasts therefore required to support patients’ independence and help orientation • Broad evidence colour has a powerful effect on mood • Art can aid memory and familiarity; stimulate discussion; positive effect on healing process • Healthcare studies have proven reduction in levels of anxiety, stress and depression; reduction in use of some medications; increased staff morale

18. How does light make a difference? • A 75-year-old requires 10x more light than a 50-year-old to achieve the same visual performance • Circadian rhythm - better sleep patterns, alleviates depression, improves food intake • Eases pain – patients exposed to twice as much sunlight required 22% less analgesic medication per hour • Reduces delirium – patients with access to natural light had more accurate memory of hospital stay; incidence of hallucinations and delusions twice as high in windowless rooms • Staff performance – exposure to daylight for 3 hours a day causes less stress and higher staff satisfaction

19. Key consultation results • The ward was:- Plain, drab, dull (staff)- Plain, drab, dull (service users)- Outdated, drab, dull (public) • Ward should be:- Colourful, welcoming, comforting (staff)- Welcoming, natural light, clearly signed (service users)- Comforting, calming, welcoming (public) • Preferred themes:- Poole, countryside, flowers (staff)- Seascapes, animals, Poole (service users)- Flowers, countryside, seascapes (public) Our corridor An EHE project corridor

20. Our vision for the ward • Developed feedback into proposals • Overall theme: local area. Four sub-themes • Poole (including old town and quay) • Seascapes • Countryside • Wild flowers • Colours associated with those themes used in side rooms and carried through into four bays • Artwork/photography –linked to themes

21. What We Achieved……

22. Our new Entrance

23. Looking at the Corridor….

24. The Welcome Desk

25. Use of Colour for Orientation

26. Next steps • Continue fundraising • Share our knowledge • Encourage other areas to implement dementia friendly principles • Raise awareness Walk to Remember August 2010