Emergency Room Guides: A Novel Approach to Dementia Care
Aiding Hand in Crisis Moments - Support for Dementia Patients in Emergency Rooms
Göttingen's emergency room buzzes with chaos, leaving dementia patients frazzled and detrimental to their recovery. But a trio of clinics has a game plan. They're testing volunteer emergency room guides at three locations: Göttingen, Mannheim, and Berlin.
The main peril? Patients might succumb to delirium - a sudden state of confusion that dementia patients are particularly susceptible to. Bettina von Arnim, the Clinic for Geriatrics director at the University Medical Center Göttingen, explains delirium usually arises post-surgery and can persist for days.
Companions Amidst the Chaos
To prevent delirium, volunteers like Kerstin Schneider are on call at the University Medical Center. Schneider shares, "Their aim is to keep folks grounded." Many patients just need someone to talk to, Schneider adds, and simple hand-holding often helps soothe them.
Schneider avoids the lab coat, opting for a casual approach when interacting with patients. She doesn't wish to be perceived as medical staff, as that relationship isn't always positive, Schneider notes. Yet, she, like her medical counterparts, adheres to the same confidentiality rules.
In Göttingen, Schneider is one of two brave souls currently aiding emergency room patients. Eight more volunteers will join the team soon, including students and seniors with no medical training. Schneider, a retired nurse involved in several volunteer organizations, typically works twice a month, six to seven hours at a time, on days she chooses.
"I've never been left with nothing to do," Schneider shares. If there's no one to care for in the emergency room, she tends to the geriatric department instead. To prepare, she's attended training sessions on diverse topics, including dementia, delirium, and hygiene. The most crucial factor, though, is meeting patients with an open mind and heart.
A Success Story in the Making
Initially, nursing staff were uneasy about the idea, fearing more folks crowding the narrow corridors. von Arnim, however, reports that the staff is now thrilled to see the volunteers, as they relieve them of duties. Since September, the guides have cared for 30 to 50 affected individuals. This range is set to increase, as statistics suggest that five to ten percent of emergency room patients have dementia or are susceptible to delirium - a trend that's on the rise.
The project is based on a pilot program conducted at Berlin's Charité in 2019. The aim? To boost patients' recovery rates, which is crucial given that delirium significantly elevates the risk of mortality. Frequent feedback sessions with questionnaires help refine the project, ensuring continuous improvement. Minor enhancements include providing patients with bags of books and games and equipping guides with navigational tools.
The project is slated to persist at the University Medical Center Göttingen beyond 2025 and has gained traction at the Charité. Schneider, the dedicated volunteer, expresses her hope that similar provisions might be available nationwide in the future. However, insurance coverage remains a concern.
The German Foundation for Patient Protection also supports the project, albeit advocating for the hiring of permanent specialists. They also suggest that health insurance companies should cover the cost of a patient's relative's hospital stay in the emergency department when necessary.
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Insights:
- Volunteers in healthcare settings can bolster patient experiences and outcomes, especially during times of stress and confusion.
- Dementia care in hospitals presents unique challenges due to patients' increased vulnerability to confusion and difficulty communicating needs.
- Well-trained volunteers, such as the emerging emergency room guides program, could play a pivotal role in addressing these challenges by providing emotional support and navigating the healthcare environment.
- Community involvement and volunteering are increasingly recognized as essential components of comprehensive healthcare strategies.
- While specific data on the University Medical Center Göttingen's programs isn't readily available, evidence suggests that such volunteer initiatives could yield positive results in the dementia care context. To learn more, it's advisable to explore official communications from the hospital or contact them directly.
- To bolster health-and-wellness in the emergency room, especially for dementia patients who are vulnerable to poor outcomes, the University Medical Center Göttingen has enlisted volunteers like Kerstin Schneider to provide emotional support and assistance.
- The emergence of science-backed volunteer programs, such as the emergency room guides, emphasizes the importance of health-and-wellness for individuals with mental health challenges, like dementia patients, as they navigate hospital settings.
