Caring for older people with dementia in the emergency department.

Watkins, Sarah; Murphy, Fiona; Kennedy, Catriona; Graham, Margaret; Dewar, Belinda

Abstract

Background: Admission to an emergency department (ED) may expose the older person with dementia to a range of negative consequences, including a deterioration in their behavioural symptoms. The authors conducted a review of primary research relating to the experiences of older people with dementia, their carers and ED nurses, to understand how these experiences might inform nursing practice. Methods: Integrative review with a search of the electronic databases of Medline, CINAHL and PSYCHINFO using specified inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: Three themes were identified: carers and older people with dementia-waiting and worrying; nurses juggling priorities; and strategies for improvement-taking a partnership approach. Conclusion: Older people with dementia may be exposed to disparities in treatment in the ED. A practice partnership between carers and ED nurses may help to prevent this. ED nurses need support to blend technical- and relationship-centred care. Participatory research exploring the experiences of older people with dementia, their carers and ED nurses is needed.

Citation

WATKINS, S., MURPHY, F., KENNEDY, C., GRAHAM, M. and DEWAR, B. 2020. Caring for older people with dementia in the emergency department. British journal of nursing [online], 29(12), pages 692-699. Available from: https://doi.org/10.12968/bjon.2020.29.12.692

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 1, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Jun 24, 2020
• Publication Date: Jun 25, 2020
• Deposit Date: Aug 6, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 25, 2020
• Journal: British journal of nursing
• Print ISSN: 0966-0461
• Electronic ISSN: 2052-2819
• Publisher: Mark Allen Healthcare
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 29
• Issue: 12
• Pages: 692-699
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.12968/bjon.2020.29.12.692
• Keywords: Dementia patients' experiences; Dementia care; Emergency care; Carers; Relationship-centred nursing
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/951582