title: Support for carers of people with dementia during hospital admission.
abstract: The aim of this study was to help develop support services for carers of people with dementia on admission to a district general hospital. Qualitative methodology was used in the form of individual semistructured interviews. These interviews suggest that service developments need to take into account the individual need of each carer. Identified themes included communication, vulnerability of the carers and the need to develop a therapeutic relationship with the carer as well as the person with dementia. Recommendations for change include a letter introducing the dementia specialist nurse to be given to carers, a poster in wards across the trust to support the letter; and workshops on dementia care for staff with emphasis on the need to work in partnership with informal carers.
authors.affiliation: Torbay Hospital, Lawes Bridge Torquay.
authors.forename: Maggi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Douglas-Dunbar
authors.forename: Penny
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gardiner
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003142:Communication; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003704:Dementia / Q000451:nursing*; D004739:England; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D009720:Nurse Clinicians / Q000458:organization & administration; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D035862:Vulnerable Populations