Acute care at home or in a hospital?

If you are caring for an older loved one you could find yourself making frequent hospital visits or a sudden dash to the emergency room. Whilst most people receive great care in our hospitals a busy medical ward is not always the most comforting place to spend the night. For many older people living with dementia the experience can be traumatic and lead to further decline.  

If you do find yourself in an emergency ward with a family member with dementia don't assume staff will have the skills or the time to adequately care for your loved one. You can help nursing staff by giving them a detailed record of your loved one's usual routine, behaviour and ways of communicating. It doesn't have to be long just think about all the things you do on a daily basis to help the day run smoothly. How do you approach your mum about a shower? When does she normally go to bed? How does she usually take her medications?  

Unfortunately many people with dementia who are at risk of wandering or falls are sedated making their condition worse and often their stay in hospital longer. Packing a familar and comforting item may help with overnight stays.

If you are really worried about a loved one falling or wandering try working in shifts with other family members or for peace of mind hire a private nurse or companion to watch over your loved one during their hospital stay.

Plan your visits to the hospital around meal times, that way you can help staff who may not have the time to ensure your family member gets the nutrition they need.

Some hospitals offer a service called Acute/Post Acute Care (APAC). This service provides complex care that would otherwise be provided in hospital at home. Older people living with chronic disease often have 'flare ups' or infections that could be treated at home. Acute conditions that could be treated under this program include pneumonia, cellulitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and long term infections.

Provided they are medically stable for someone with dementia this could be a great alternative.