Dementia Care aims to raise the profile of dementia and recognise it as a palliative disease. We provide support to patients who have a dementia diagnosis, as well as their loved ones and carers.
Emotional Support
We help our patients and loved ones to navigate and validate their emotions
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How we support you:
Provide a listening ear
Dedicate time for each individual
Validate feelings and emotions
Work alongside our Counselling Team when extra support is needed
Organise pastoral/religious support
Education
We educate our staff, the community, local businesses, patients and their loved ones
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How we educate:
We give talks to corporate businesses about our Dementia Services
Deliver Springhill Education’s Advanced Dementia Palliative & End of Life Care module
Educating loved ones and patients about their diagnosis and steps to take going forward
Care Planning
Getting to know the person behind the diagnosis, tailoring care specific to their wants and needs
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How we plan our care:
Getting to know the person behind the diagnosis. Our ‘Life Story’ booklet is completed by our patients, asking them questions about their life in order for us to get to know them and help personalise their care. The downloadable version of this booklet can be found at the bottom of this page
Advance care planning. This is a plan specifically tailored to the individual and what their needs are
Advocate for patient’s wishes and needs
Signposting
We can point patients and loved ones to other organisations and services that can help
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We signpost to:
Citizens advice
Memory clinic
Organisations from both the voluntary and private sectors, as well as secondary care providers
Advocacy service
Our supporting solicitor firm who provide legal/financial advice for our patients and their loved ones
Please refer to the leaflet below for dates and times.
Collaboration
We work with other Healthcare Professionals both internally and externally
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We collaborate with:
GP’s, taking referrals from and giving referrals to, attending their meetings, promoting inclusion for people with a dementia diagnosis and gold standard framework meetings
Adult Care services
Springhill Hospice Physiotherapist
Other areas of the hospice including the Wellbeing & Supportive Care and Counselling Teams
Other NHS providers
Practical support
We support patients and their loved ones with practical advice and coping strategies
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We support with:
Bowel and bladder function
Dietary needs
Aids and adaptations
Coping strategies
Medications
The referral process
A referral to the Specialist Dementia Care nurse can come from the following:
A healthcare professional (e.g. GP)
Alzheimer’s Society
The Hospice team who have recognised a patient as needing specialist support
If you have any questions, or would like more information about referrals, please contact our Dementia Specialist Nurse, Margaret, at nehgm.liaison@nhs.net.
Margaret Diggle Specialist Palliative Care Dementia Nurse
Attend our Dementia Drop-in Sessions!
On the last Friday of every month, we hold a drop-in session in our Springhill Suite; allowing carers who are supporting an individual with dementia to access information, knowledge and training opportunities.
We ensure they are supported in a safe and welcoming environment. These sessions can also be used as a tool to signpost to the relevant services, if appropriate.
Every other month, a representative from our supporting solicitor firm will be available to provide legal and financial advice at these sessions.
The Dementia friendly Garden
An exciting addition to our services is the Dementia Care Garden. Based on research from Stirling University, outdoor spaces have a proven positive impact on all individuals. Therefore, we believe that a dementia-friendly outdoor space is highly beneficial to supporting our Dementia Care patients as a whole.
The Dementia friendly Garden was designed to incorporate features that help those with dementia utilise all their senses.
The garden is available Hospice wide, and we have seen a positive impact on everyoneās emotional and mental wellbeing.
Downloadable tools
Information about our Dementia Care Service can be found in this leaflet
An advance care plan is yours to keep and share (with your consent) with those who are involved in your care, particularly if you become unable to make or communicate decisions for yourself.
