Dementia representatives in hospitals: An important link for those affected!

Dementia representatives in hospitals: An important link for those affected!

The challenges during a hospital stay are great for many people. These difficulties are particularly pronounced in older patients, who often suffer from dementia. Barbara Bostelmann, the dementia representative at the Hannover Medical School (MHH), is committed to this special patient group. According to that Report from MHH In 2023, around 44% of hospital patients were over 65 years old. Many of these patients have dementia-related limitations that complicate the course of their treatment.

The Lower Saxony Hospital Act provides for the deployment of dementia representatives at clinics. Bostelmann, who has taken on her duties on a voluntary basis, is not just replacing a media function. It is also a link between those affected, their relatives and the medical staff. Her own experience caring for her mother, who suffered from dementia, for eleven years gives her a special perspective in her new role.

The need for dementia-sensitive care is increasing

The challenges in hospitals are complex. In addition, the current demographic development is a decisive factor. How Medical Journal describes, the aging of society leads to increasing morbidity, which places additional demands on the healthcare system. Bostelmann emphasizes that special dementia care will become increasingly important in the future.

However, many hospitals in Germany are still inadequately prepared for the needs of people with dementia. Preparatory measures by relatives are essential to make hospital stays smoother. Questionnaires and checklists can help to improve organization. The Dementia guide has found that hospital stays for dementia patients often last longer, due to a number of problems.

Prevention and support

The most common difficulties include declines in cognitive abilities, a higher susceptibility to delirium, and an increased risk of hospital-acquired infections. This may increase the risk of mortality and increase the likelihood of readmission after discharge. Therefore, among other things, Bostelmann has set up a consultation hour for relatives and people with dementia and introduced special information sheets to better document the individual needs of patients.

In addition, special activity materials were purchased to support the care of dementia patients. Three young people from the Voluntary Social Year were also hired to actively participate here. This all happens in close collaboration with the respective specialist departments such as neurology, psychiatry and trauma surgery.

The active use of dementia representatives in clinics is one step towards meeting the needs of this growing patient group. Contact with the representatives can be obtained both at the reception of the hospitals and via their websites. The involvement and commitment of relatives is essential to improve care and meet the challenges of demographic change.