Comfort Through Conversations: Aiding Dementia Patients in Chaotic ER Environments
Emergency Room Assistance for Dementia Patients: Aid for Navigating ER Experience - Emergency aid for dementia sufferers - Supporting dementia patients in critical care settings
Bustling, stressful - the emergency room (ER) is no stranger to these adjectives. Particularly for older individuals, specifically those with dementia, this chaos can exacerbate their health issues. But at three German clinics in Göttingen, Mannheim, and Berlin, volunteer ER guides are trying to change that.
The greatest threat lies in the development of a condition known as delirium, explains Bettina von Arnim, director of the Clinic for Geriatrics at the University Medical Center Göttingen. Delirium is a sudden state of disorientation, which dementia patients are particularly susceptible to, usually triggered by events such as surgeries and lasting several days.
Comfort in Chaos
To prevent this, individuals like Kerstin Schneider offer solace at the University Medical Center. According to von Arnim, "Volunteers like Schneider's task is to keep people in the present." Schneider shares her experiences: "Many just want someone to chat with. That alone calms them down." At times, a simple touch is all it takes. A dementia patient, for example, stopped screaming when Schneider sat beside her.
Avoiding Hospital Associations
Schneider approaches patients without Medical staff presenting her. "I don't wear a lab coat; I simply approach people without an introduction," Schneider explains. This way, she's not associated with medical personnel, with whom some patients may not have positive experiences. Like medical staff, volunteers are also bound by confidentiality.
Growing Volunteer Team
In Göttingen, Schneider is one of two current ER guides. Eight more volunteers are expected to join the team shortly - university students and seniors. No medical training is required. Although Schneider is a trained nurse and active in other volunteer organizations, as a guide, she typically works twice a month for six to seven hours on days of her choice.
Busy, but never idle
"I've never just sat around," Schneider claims. When no one requires attention in the ER or the Geriatrics ward, she provides care to patients in Geriatrics. For her work as a guide, she has undergone training on topics such as dementia, delirium, and hygiene. However, the most important factor is approaching those affected without prejudice.
Göttingen's Impressive Results
Since September, the initiative in Göttingen has proven successful. Between 30 to 50 people have been cared for so far. As Dr. Sabine Blaschke, medical director of the Central ER at the UMG, points out, the potential for improvement is vast. According to statistics, five to ten percent of people in ERs are affected by dementia or delirium - a percentage that is steadily increasing.
Building on Success
The project is based on a 2019 pilot project at the Charité in Berlin, with the ultimate goal of improving patient health outcomes. Feedback sessions with questionnaires are held regularly, allowing navigators and nursing staff to evaluate the project. Even small improvements have been noted, such as the introduction of a bag containing books and games for both patient and volunteer entertainment.
Plans for the Future
Future plans in Göttingen include continuing the current test phase past 2025. Similarly, the project is considered successful at the Charité, with the intention to carry on. "I hope similar initiatives will soon be available across Germany," says Schneider, but she cautions that this is not yet covered by health insurance.
External Opinions
The German Foundation for Patient Protection believes the project is beneficial. However, board member Eugen Brysch advocates for professional staff assistance and family accommodation in the clinic from the ER, if necessary, to be healthcare insurer-funded.
- Dementia care
- Emergency room
- Göttingen
- Kerstin Schneider
- Delirium
- Mannheim
- Berlin
- Early intervention
- Volunteer ER guides
- Healing chances
- Integrated healthcare
- Patient engagement
- Social isolation
- Public health priority
- In an effort to enhance the overall well-being of dementia patients within emergency room environments, Kerstin Schneider, a volunteer ER guide in Göttingen, focuses on maintaining conversation with patients, as she believes this can significantly reduce their levels of agitation and anxiety.
- To complement the healthcare provided at the University Medical Center, volunteer ER guides, such as Kerstin Schneider, prioritize health-and-wellness approaches, like mental-health support and social interaction, to improve the quality of care for dementia patients, aligning with the science behind the importance of community policy for therapeutic outcomes.
