Nurses and the Dementia Patient

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Introduction As the population of older people increases so does the rate of older people with dementia. There are currently around 245,000 people with dementia in Australia. The incidence of dementia is estimated to increase from 69,600 new cases in 2009 to 385,200 new cases in 2050 (Alzheimer’s Australia, 2009). As these numbers rise there will be an increase in the number of people with dementia admitted to the acute care environment. The unfamiliarity of the acute care setting can be very stressful for a person with dementia; generally patients with dementia found find the hospital setting to be difficult and distressing and often made them feel confused and disorientated. The environment within the acute care setting is inappropriate and inadequate for the care of the dementia patient with many areas of concern. There is a clear indication that nurses in the acute care setting need further education and training in regards’ to the care of the dementia patient. Nurses recognised and expressed some of the various difficulties associated with the care of a patient with dementia. Generally the nurses experiences of care for the dementia patient in the acute care setting was one of uncertainty, due to the fact the nurses felt they had a specific lack of knowledge. Nurse’s knowledge and education As the population grows and there’s an increase in the number of dementia patients, nurses in the acute care setting need to be skilled and educated to support patients with dementia as stated by (Archibald & Cunningham 2006 p.55I). Erikson & Saveman (2002) described the lack of specialized education for nurses in regards to dementia patients in the acute care setting. This is of particular concern as there are many demands on nurses in the acute care setting and can influence the nature of the care they give. According to Nolan (2006, p.213) nurses had concerns of

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