Dementia Companion Service
Too often coming into hospital for a person with
dementia is a confusing and frightening experience.
The 'Dementia Companion' is a new South Eastern
HSC Trust initiative to have an additional staff
member to engage with and support people with
dementia whilst they are in hospital and you will
recognise them with their distinctive orange tops.
The role of the Dementia Companions is to meet
the 'individual needs' at the 'individual pace' of the
person living with dementia.
The Dementia Companions are an additional
resource to the hospital team. They will spend time befriending and chatting with patients supporting
and assisting with the use of the Trust daily newspaper - 'The South Eastern Sparkle', reminiscence
materials and activities. They also support and assist patients and families with the use of memory
folders and other activities.
The Dementia Companions help patients to maintain a tidy, clutter free environment around their
bedside, ensuring patients have their call bell near at hand and any personal items are close by the
patient.
The Dementia Companions will help to ensure mealtimes are as enjoyable and enabling as possible
which ensures patients receive sufficient fluids, tea etc. as guided by the nursing staff.
If a patient would want to have meaningful activity or meaningful walking the Dementia Companion
will endeavour to assist and accompany, helping maintain the person's independence and motivation.
The Dementia Companion prototype in South Eastern HSC Trust has been hugely successful and
recruitment is on-going to employ 8 permanent Dementia Companions across all our hospital sites!
The Dementia Companions were delighted
to be nominated for and be finalists in the
Chairman's Recognition Awards 2018.
This is a testament to the work of this
small but innovative team.
Mental Health Mentor of the Year
Award 2018
Dementia Companions with their
distinctive orange tops.
Primary Care and Older People 18