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Dementia companion support service

Posted By Thatsmedaughter

"Dementia companion support service"

About: South West Acute Hospital / Ward 7

(as a relative),

Our family member was admitted to ward 7, a very frightened & confused man, who had parkinsons & dementia, until he/we met the dementia support team, Brendan & Jane, when either of them entered his room, they instantly brought this calmness to the room. I cannot put into words how glad and thankful we are as a family for their support, kindness & understanding to us all as a family. None of us had ever of this service before, but we will always be eternally grateful for their care & support the showed us during our 12 weeks on ward 7. Thanks again Brendan & Jane 

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Responses

Response from Nicola Hayes, Dementia Service Improvement Lead - Acute & Non Acute, PCOP, WHSCT 4 days ago
Nicola Hayes
Dementia Service Improvement Lead - Acute & Non Acute, PCOP,
WHSCT

Submitted on 07/04/2025 at 00:30
Published on Care Opinion at 00:30

picture of Nicola Hayes

Dear Thatsmedaughter

My name is Nicola Hayes and I am the Dementia Service Improvement Lead for the Acute Hospitals and I manage the Dementia Companion Service.

Thank you for your feedback story “Dementia Companion Support Service” and thank you for taking the time to post this story at a time when your family member was in hospital and not in their best health.

I am glad to hear of your positive experience that you and your family member had of the journey through Ward 7, SWAH.

Coming into hospital can be a fearful and stressful time for any of us, never mind for someone living with dementia and in your family member’s case also living with other medical conditions and I hope you were supported fully at this time.

The care and treatment provided is essential to ensure that any hospital journey is person centred, particularly with your family member’s complexities.

Approach and communication are vital in the caring profession, not only to ensure that your family member’s needs were met, but also that you and your family’s needs were met.

Therapeutic and person centred engagement is vital for all our patients, but particularly for those patients living with dementia. It can make such a huge difference for patients when someone can have a connection with them to make their journey less stressful and this can positively impact on their individual care needs, as you have evidenced in your post.

What you have witnessed with Brendan and Jane is the core of the Dementia Companion Service and the values that we promote as a service. I am delighted that you and your family member had the experience of the Dementia Companion Service and the role that they can play with people living with dementia who are admitted to our acute hospitals. I will share this post with both Brendan and Jane, which they will be delighted to receive.

May I thank you again for taking the time to share your experiences with us on Care Opinion.

Your feedback is very welcome to ensure safe, effective, compassionate and well led care is delivered.

Kind Regards

Nicola

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