Supporting someone with dementia during a hospital stay
Admiral Nurse Tracy Browne shares tips on how to support someone living with dementia during a stay in hospital.
Admiral Nurse clinic appointments give families the opportunity to seek specialist advice, support and clinical guidance about dementia, in confidence. The Admiral Nurses have the skills, knowledge and experience to talk about:
This list is by no means exhaustive. There are as many different circumstances as there are families facing dementia. Admiral Nurses take the time to truly listen to a family’s situation, and suggest methods to deal with symptoms and coping strategies for the challenges dementia can bring.
If you’re a carer or family member supporting someone who is living with dementia and you’re registered with the participating practices in your area, you can call or email your local clinic.
Our dementia clinics are being held at selected Nationwide branches across the UK. All appointments are confidential and will take place in a private space within the branch.
If you’re not registered with an eligible GP Practice, but you have any questions or concerns about dementia, you can speak with one of Dementia UK’s nurses on the free Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline or book a virtual appointment.
Appointments can take place over the telephone, via a video link or in person at the relevant surgery (depending on restrictions).
Call 0800 888 6678 or email helpline@dementiauk.org. The Helpline is open seven days a week, Monday-Friday 9am-9pm and at weekends 9am-5pm.
Clinic appointments will typically be available Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. However, it may be possible to book an appointment outside of these core hours to meet the needs of family carers.
Clinic attendeeI just wanted to offer a heartfelt thanks for today’s appointment. I am so grateful for the advice and kind words. The nurse provided clarity on a topic which has consumed me and left me puzzled for so long, and I truly can see my whole family’s day to day life improving upon the strength and guidance she has provided. This may all sound rather dramatic, but words can’t express the struggle it has been so far, and today it felt like there may be light at the end of the tunnel.
By engaging with the service you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and privacy notice. If you have any difficulty accessing these, you must tell us before your appointment.
If you have any feedback you would like to make following your appointment, or about this service please email us at clinicsfeedback@dementiauk.org.
Our virtual clinics give you the chance to discuss any questions or concerns with a dementia specialist Admiral Nurse by phone or video call, at a time that suits you.
Admiral Nurse Tracy Browne shares tips on how to support someone living with dementia during a stay in hospital.
Two years ago, Dementia UK partnered with the Chinese Welfare Trust to launch a new dementia specialist Admiral Nurse clinic to support Chinese and South-East Asian families. Admiral Nurse Emily Ka-Hei Lui reflects on the pilot service and its early achievements.
Thea Sobers is a Research Assistant at Dementia UK. Her past work has focused on overcoming barriers to dementia support for Black, African and Caribbean communities.