New 'person-centred' in Laois for dementia care at Portlaoise hospital

New designated areas aimed at enhancing care for people living with dementia have been officially launched at Portlaoise hospital.

The HSE said a new five-bed Dementia Friendly Bay in the Emo Court Ward was opened to enhance supports for inpatients living with dementia, as well as a new Dementia Friendly area in the Emergency Department.

John Joyce, General Manager of Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise (MRPH), spoke about the initiative.

“In the design of our new Dementia Friendly areas in the hospital, our focus was on creating an environment that can reduce environmental stress, provide support, and provide more healthful and therapeutic spaces. We considered how we care for the persons living with dementia and aimed to enhance our facility at Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise in a more dementia inclusive and age friendly way,” he said.

Olivia Lafferty is the Director of Nursing at the hospital. She explained the benefits.

“Providing person-centred care in a supportive physical and social environment can enhance the experience and well-being of patients with dementia during their acute hospital journey. Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise is committed to providing ongoing evidence-based high-quality person-centred care for patients living with dementia during their acute hospital stay,” she said. MORE ABOUT THE NEW FACILITIES BELOW PICTURE.

PICTURED L-R: Smitha Joy, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Dementia Care, MRHP; Dr Taiwo Popoola, ED Consultant, MRHP; Finola Gill, NMPDU; Tanya McGahey, Occupational Therapist, Frailty Intervention Team, MRHP; Maura Rice, Assistant Director of Nursing, Emergency Department and Paediatrics Services, MRHP; Laura Dunne, Frailty Intervention Team Physiotherapist, MRHP; Fiona Moore, Assistant Director of Nursing, Practice Development Department; and Claire Walsh, Clinical Nurse Manager 3, Emergency Department, MRHP.

The HSE said the new areas include:

• Technological support, such as TV streaming system with amplifiers
• Radio/music player and headphones help to optimize sensory stimulation, reduce sensory overload and minimise non-cognitive symptoms
• Meaningful activities boxes, that can be tailored to each individual promote independence, engagement and participation
• Using different colour schemes/contrasting colours to promote wayfinding, minimize confusion and make the environment more person-centred for people with dementia and their families
• Orientation clocks introduced to support awareness of time, month, date and day
• Blue-coloured handrails fixed in the Dementia Bay toilet to promote better navigation, safety and independence.

The funding was provided by the Nursing and Midwifery Planning and Development Unit and Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise.