Commitment to the care of people with dementia in hospital settings
Resources
General hospital environments can be particularly confusing for people living with dementia. When treatment is required in a hospital setting, people with dementia need to have their dementia recognised so that appropriate care and treatment is delivered, irrespective of the reason for admission.
The RCN and a range of stakeholders have developed principles for the care of people with dementia in general hospital settings, they form a shared commitment to improving care. They have been identified by people with dementia, family carers and friends, as well as by professionals. They are intended for all those people responsible for care, not just nursing staff. Each principle is considered essential to ensure the appropriate delivery of care, and factors are identified which will support their delivery based on guidance and best practice.
Make SPACE for good dementia care: an easy was of remembering the commitment.
Dementia: Commitment to the Care of People with Dementia in Hospital Settings (PDF 565KB) [see how to access PDF files] is a practical 'how to' guide which includes tools and resources to support the implementation of the 5 SPACE principles within the commitment.
Supporting good dementia care is a film to support the implementation of the commitment with sections on each of the 5 principles.
Best practice examples provide further information from those who contributed to the film as well as other examples of how some hospitals have delivered change.
All of the resources which describe and support the Commitment to the care of people with dementia in general hospitals are embedded within the Dementia online resource which signposts national strategies and standards and resources to support dementia care across the UK.
Availability of resources electronically and hard copy
There are resources available to promote and raise awareness of the commitment and the principles. Please be advised that you can download all electronic publications from the RCN website free of charge. If you wish to order a hard copy of these resources please call RCND on 0345 772 6100.
Photograph of the older gentleman in a hospital setting, used on the resources, is courtesy of 'Let's respect'
1. Commitment to the care of people with dementia in general hospitals: pocket guide (PDF 295KB)This pocket guide gives background information on the commitment to the care of people with dementia in general hospitals, lists the principles in full and includes references for further information. Pub code: 004 178.
2. Commitment to the care of people with dementia in general hospitals: A3 poster (PDF 272KB)
This poster lists the principles included in the commitment to the care of people with dementia in general hospitals. Pub code: 004 176.
This checklist lists the principles included in the commitment to the care of people with dementia in general hospitals in full, and can be used to identify achievements and areas for further development. Pub code: 004 177.
4. Commitment to the care of people with dementia in general hospitals: mouse mat
These mouse mats show the SPACE acronym to help remind you of the commitment. Pub code: 004 181
5. Commitment to the care of people with dementia in general hospitals: pen
This banner pen has a pull out section which shows the SPACE acronym to help remind you of the commitment. Pub code: 004 180.
6. The 'how to' guide Dementia: Commitment to the Care of People with Dementia in Hospital Settings (PDF 565KB) which includes tools and resources to support the implementation of the 5 SPACE principles within the commitment, can be downloaded for free. Publication code: 004 235.