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


Using personalised music to enhance the well-being of people with dementia

Listening to music can reduce symptoms such as agitation in people with dementia

Nurses in pilot scheme to assess care home residents for dementia

Move follows a successful trial in Norfolk that saw 95 people receive a dementia diagnosis

Admiral Nursing: supporting generalist nurses to work with families affected by dementia

Understand the training needs of the health and social care workforce in relation to dementia
Open access

Preventing falls in older people on mental health inpatient wards

A quality improvement project conducted on four older adult mental health inpatient wards

Providing person-centred dementia care on general hospital wards

Enhance the experiences of people with dementia and improve their outcomes

How can you identify and manage people presenting with delirium in the ED?

The condition can develop quickly and result in increased risk of dementia and mortality

Young onset dementia: how to spot it, and the symptoms you might not expect

Providing support for patients and their families, who crave tailored, age-appropriate care

Supporting person-centred dementia care following the COVID-19 pandemic

Understand the importance of dementia awareness and education for nurses

Health promotion for older people with dementia living in the community

Making health promotion person-centred, strengths-based and culturally competent

Dementia and hospital pad culture: an argument for a more humane approach

Hospital continence routines symbolise dementia care at the cost of independence and dignity

Exploring nursing students’ knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease

Identifying strengths and gaps in nursing students’ knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease
Open access

Improving nutrition and hydration in older people with dementia in care homes

Person-centred interventions to improve food and drink intake of older people with dementia
Free

Dementia and pad culture: dignified continence care in hospitals

Our podcast discusses use of continence pads for people with dementia admitted to hospital

Reframing nurses’ time to enhance interpersonal interactions in dementia care

Learn about techniques that you can use to be more ‘present’ with people with dementia

How can person-centred strategies improve dementia care?

An empathetic approach to care can help people with dementia retain a sense of self
Open access

What is a responsive outpatient cancer service for people with dementia?

Cancer services for people with dementia must be organised, flexible and offer continuity

The Admiral Nurse bringing dementia care to Traveller communities

Addressing the challenges to engagement, as well as discrimination

Functional loss in older adults with intellectual disabilities and dementia

In this population, functional loss could be an early indicator of dementia

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