The extended palliative phase of dementia - An integrative literature review.

This article presents an integrative literature review of the experience of dementia care associated with the extended palliative phase of dementia. The aim was to highlight how dementia is defined in the literature and describe what is known about the symptomatology and management of advanced dementia regarding the needs and preferences of the person with dementia and their family carer/s. There was no consistent definition of advanced dementia.

Managing diabetes in people with dementia.

Diabetes and dementia may manifest simultaneously: one is potentially life threatening, the other causes severe, progressive loss of memory and cognitive function. Where they coexist, they present nurses with challenges such as administering life-saving interventions to patients who are unable to give informed consent. This article offers guidance on the clinical and ethical challenges involved in blood glucose monitoring and medicines administration in patients with dementia.

Supporting the development of interpersonal skills in nursing, in an undergraduate mental health curriculum: reaching the parts other strategies do not reach through action learning.

The centrality of therapeutic relationships is considered to be the cornerstone of effective mental health nursing practice. Strategies that support the development of these skills and the emotional aspects of learning need to be developed. Action learning is one such strategy.

Enriching the care of patients with dementia in acute settings? The Dementia Champions Programme in Scotland.

Admission to hospital has been found to have a negative impact on people with dementia. The Scottish Dementia Champions programme was developed to prepare health and social service Dementia Champions working in acute settings as Change Agents. The programme was initially delivered to a cohort of 100 health professionals via blended learning, and comprised five study days, a half day spent in a local community setting, and e-learning.

Improving the care of people with dementia in hospital.

The Dementia Champions Programme was set up in NHS Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, to equip nurses with the skills and knowledge to improve the care of people with dementia in hospital. Nurses who complete the programme are known as dementia champions. This article describes the multi-faceted, educational approach to improving the care of adults with dementia.

Depression and older people.

Nearly a third of older people admitted for acute hospital care experience depression. Rates of depression are even higher in care homes. The purpose of this article is to raise awareness among nurses of this debilitating condition and its potentially fatal consequences, and to suggest interventions that can bring about improvement.