On the news this evening it was reported that 25% of beds were occupied by elderly patients with dementia.An elderly gentleman was interviewed and gave an awful account of the treatment his wife recieved whilst in hospital for a non related dementia condition.
Having worked in health care for some 30years,this does not suprise me.It was forcast back in the 90's when the powers that be,closed the geriatric hospitals.Nursing in such hospital was at the time,like mental health,seen as the "cinderella" field of health care.But care was intense albeit a hard and lengthy process.Newly qualifed nurses had no time for this as there was little opportunity the climb the promotion ladder.Sadly this remains unchanged today.It seems that even to sit and feed a patient is beneath them,likewise attending to toilet needs. Often this care is delegated to the hard pushed HCA whose patient ratio is high.Whilst I agree that an understanding of dementia is necessary,I fail to understand the lack of of basic nursing care.This is at the heart of all care delivered by nurses and without it, there is no nursing practice.Its not just about drugs,dressing and the latest proceedures.Patient centred care includes every aspect necessary to be holistic.
Since it is essential that nurses contstantly update their practice of nursing in the 3yr periodsof registration,I find it inconprehensible the such a large proportion of the their practice has not been addressed.It is their onus.The knowledge is out there,I've done it.I had too...it was relevant to my practice of care!