Jan Dewing

Older lady hydration

Strategies to prevent dehydration in older people with dementia: a literature review

There is a significant evidence base supporting a range of strategies to improve hydration

Book review: Understanding Behaviour in Dementia that Challenges: A Guide to Assessment...

Karen Rennie and Jan Dewing review Understanding Behaviour in Dementia that Challenges: A Guide to Assessment and Treatment (Second edition).

Introducing intentional rounding: a pilot project

Aim To report on the introduction of intentional rounding in an NHS trust. Method A two-stage pilot project with participatory methods underpinned by core practice development principles was undertaken to introduce intentional rounding. Findings Patients and staff found intentional rounding to be a positive experience, although nurses and midwives felt they were inadequately prepared to implement the practice. Leaders and managers who engaged in learning opportunities before the pilot study tended to achieve more successful and sustained practice change. Conclusion There is disagreement among nurses about the contribution of intentional rounding to patient care, particularly in light of the weak evidence base, time involved and associated documentation. Therefore, further research is needed in this area.

Rehabilitation for older people with dementia

It should not be assumed that living with dementia means a complete loss of abilities. However, people with dementia are not always allowed to realise their full potential. The author suggests that person-centred rehabilitation with this patient group can enhance their abilities and help them to acquire new ones.

Older people with confusion: capacity to consent and the administration of medicines

The author examines capacity, consent and other key issues in relation to the administration of medicines to older people with confusion. It suggests there is much that can be done to improve the way in which nursing practice assesses and promotes therapeutic alliances between older people and medicines.

Older People with Mental Illness and Administration of Medicines: Consent and Capacity

This update intends to discuss some of the key issues around the needs of older people with mental illness in relation to administration of medicines; specifically consent and capacity issues. Given the UKCC’s recently published position statement on covert administration of medicines or disguising medicine in food and drink the issue is highly topical. In particular, this update will ask you to consider consent and capacity in relation to your own practice as a nurse and the overall wellbeing of the older person, not simply what is seen as being in the best interests of the older person from a clinical standpoint.

The care of older people with a delirium in acute care settings

This article suggests that nurses should play a major part in the screening, assessment and management of delirium in older people in acute settings

Defining the boundaries: nursing and personal care

In response to the government’s NHS Plan, the authors assess the difference between ‘personal’ and ‘nursing’ care, and outline the RCN assessment process to enable high quality care.

Screening for dementia and depression in older people

Aims and intended learning outcomes The practice of screening and assessing the mental health status of older people living in the community can be carried out by nurses working in primary care, with people in their own homes, in surgeries or clinics and in nursing or residential care homes. After reading this article, you should be able to: ■ Understand why primary care nurses are concerned with the mental health of older people. ■ Understand why older people may be vulnerable to depression and dementia. ■ Be aware of the importance of early detection of these conditions. ■ Be able to identify how older people may exhibit symptoms of depression and dementia. ■ Understand why these mental health problems may be undetected in an older person. ■ Consider ways in which the nursing assessment of an older person might be developed to include assessment and screening for dementia.

Screening for dementia and depression in older people

Nurses have a valuable role to play in screening for dementia and depression in older people but they must be confident, adequately trained and supported. The authors conclude that screening and assessment is vital for older people to gain access to specialist mental health services.