Dementia

Dementia is an umbrella term that describes a range of progressive conditions affecting the brain. As a person’s age increases, so does the risk of them developing dementia. It is estimated that by 2025 more than one million people will be living with dementia in the UK. Dementia is therefore an increasingly important topic in the nursing care of older people.

In recognition of Dementia Action Week, which takes place 17-23 May, we have grouped together articles from RCNi’s archive showcasing the nursing role in caring for older people with dementia.

While the articles identify the breadth and scope of nursing practice, what unites them is a recognition that every person living with dementia is unique and should be cared for as an individual. We hope the articles will support you to deliver person-centred dementia care.

Please contact Lisa Berry, editor of Nursing Older People, at lisa.berry@rcni.com with your comments, suggestions or feedback and help raise awareness of our content by sharing this resource on social media using the weblink rcni.com/dementia


Importance of patient and public involvement in doctoral research involving people living with dementia

Patient and public involvement in doctoral research involving people living with...

Involving people with conditions such as dementia in research is vital to its quality and...

Delirium superimposed on dementia: mental health nurses’ experiences of providing care

Delirium superimposed on dementia: mental health nurses’ experiences of providing care

Knowing patients cannot be reduced to a numerical tool and an integrated approach is needed

Risk management and decision-making in dementia care

Risk management and decision-making in dementia care

Encouraging a proactive and person-centred approach to risk assessment and management

A nurse holds up and shows a bottle of medication to an older man seated next to his female companion

Diabetes and dementia: safely managing people living with multiple long-term conditions

Older people with diabetes are at higher risk of developing dementia

Using therapeutic lies – an ethical challenge for nurses when caring for people with dementia

Using therapeutic lies – an ethical challenge for nurses

White lies' can be useful when caring for people with dementia, but is it ethical to...

Supporting shared decision-making in medicines use with people living with dementia and their carers

Supporting shared decision-making in medicines use with people living with dementia

Shared decision-making may help support people to make informed decisions about their...

A jigsaw puzzle of a human brain with three pieces missing from the completed puzzle

How a new Parkinson’s dementia toolkit can help you

It covers risk factors, symptoms and treatment – as well as conversations with patients

Managing diabetes mellitus and dementia: a nursing overview

Managing diabetes mellitus and dementia: a nursing overview

Integrated care across settings and single records for people with dementia and diabetes are...

Collage image showing ten of the nurses named in the new year honours list, including, clockwise from top left Denise Chaffer, James McLean, Debbie Brown, Lorraine Sunduza, Wendy Herbert, Debbv Veigas, Marino Latour, Nicki Paterson, Sharon Manning and Jes

The nurses recognised in the 2024 new year honours list

Leaders in dementia, cancer, community and mental healthcare among those recognised

Identifying incontinence and promoting continence in people living with dementia

Identifying incontinence and promoting continence in people living with dementia

Practical strategies that can support people living with dementia and their family carers

Aesthetic ways of knowing: exploring mental health nurses’ experiences of delirium superimposed on dementia

Nurses’ experiences of identifying delirium superimposed on dementia

How aesthetic ways of knowing people can enhance patient assessment

Implementing music therapy interventions in a dementia inpatient unit: reflections and practicalities

Music therapy interventions in a dementia inpatient unit: reflections and practicalities

Learning points from therapy sessions including engaging individuals and staff, timing and...

When will older people’s nursing get the recognition it deserves?

Creating a specialism would recognise the skillset practitioners need

What I learned from living in a care home for people with dementia

A nurse says his new housemates have taught him what must change in a stringent culture

The pros and cons of ‘therapeutic lying’ in dementia care

Truth should always be the starting point, but some ‘untruths’ can minimise distress

Who am I? Identity, person-centred care and dementia

Actively seeking a person’s concept of self can help nurses deliver personalised care

Assessing and managing pain in older people with dementia

Reflect on possible indicators of pain, tools to assess it, and management strategies

How to give the best continence care when a person is at the end of life

Advice on promoting patients’ dignity while managing their continence needs

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