The Dementia and Delirium team keep patients connected with their loved ones
Jane Ikeagwu, Dementia Clinical Nurse Specialist at The Royal London Hospital, shares what her team have been doing to keep patients connected with their friends and families during the Covid-19 pandemic.
She said: “The pandemic has been extremely tough on our patients, their families and our staff.
“Due to measures to keep everyone safe, visitor are restricted from visiting our hospital. For all our patients, especially for those living with dementia and/or experiencing delirium this can be a challenge as a loved one visiting provides our patients with warmth and familiarity.
“Undoubtedly, this may cause our patients and their families to feel a range of feelings such as worry, concern, low mood and anxiety.
“To provide a way of keeping in touch, the Dementia and Delirium team are facilitating card making with their patients in all inpatient areas within the hospital."
Jane shared: “In addition to card making, we have a polaroid camera, to provide our patient with an opportunity to send a photo with their card home to whomever they choose.
“This not only is an activity to promote engagement with our patients, it also may help them to feel re-assured knowing their relatives can see how they’re feeling and recovering during their hospital admission.
“Card making was facilitated during the festive period and this proved to be effective, with patients and their families were grateful to be able to keep in touch and importantly putting a smile on their faces.
“We have also been facilitating family video calls with our patients, to keep them connected. We have observed that our patients appear more at ease and settled when they have been able to speak with their loved ones. We think this is because it lets them know their loved ones are safe.
“Some of our patients are not able to understand why are unable to see their family, so card making with photos and video communication, help comfort them.”
If you would like to send photos to your loved ones in hospital, please contact the Family Contact Centre.