Going to the Hospital: Tips for Dementia Caregivers - LPNI

No one likes going to the hospital, including health care professionals and parish nurses! But a trip to the hospital for a person with dementia or another form of memory loss can be stressful for both the individual and for the caregiver. Transitions and sudden changes can be frightening, confusing and disorienting.

Preparation is key to making an unexpected or even a planned trip to the hospital easier for both caregiver and for the individual with dementia. Planning ahead for the unexpected can help to relieve some of the stress and make the trip more productive.

It is well for the caregiver to know ahead of time who he or she can depend upon.  He or she can arrange to have two or more trusted family members, friends or neighbors to call and go with, or meet the caregiver at the hospital. She or he can stay with the person while the caregiver answers questions and takes care of the paperwork. When possible, plan ahead at office visits and have vital information, such as insurance cards, Medicare and/or Medicaid cards, Health Care Power of Attorney, and original Do Not Resuscitate orders scanned into the individual's medical record.

Create a personal data sheet-a summary of helpful information and preferences. Information to communicate could include:

• Preferred name and language (some people may revert to native languages under stress)
• Need for glasses, dentures and/or hearing aids (and bring along)
• Degree of function and amount of assistance needed for activities of daily living (eating, bathing, walking)
• Family information, living situation, name of pets along with a picture
• Favorite foods, music, and/or TV stations, as well as things to avoid
• How the person communicates needs and expresses emotions

 

Many caregivers keep a “go bag” packed for unexpected hospital trips. Helpful items might be a change of clothing, extra adult briefs and reassuring or comfort objects for the individual with dementia. The caregiver might also pack some of his or her own personal care items, a note pad and pen, snacks and a phone with its charger.

When living with a person with dementia, it is wise to accept that a trip to the hospital is a “when” event, not an “if” event. Talking with the individual ahead of time about their fears and anxieties may provide information useful to make the experience more positive, comfortable and less stressful for all. The comfort and support of a familiar caregiver, family member, friend or neighbor will be a crucial resource for the individual with dementia and for hospital staff.

Proverbs 14:22(NIV) “...those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness.”

Carol D. Zimmermann, MS, RN

Parish Nurse, Lutheran Church of the Living Christ

Madison, WI 53715 USA  czpeople@gmail.com

Information for this article was obtained from the National Institutes for Health, nextavenue.org and other online subscription references, and may be reprinted without permission.