Why is communication important in nursing dementia?

Murna Downs Head of Bradford Dementia Group, School of Dementia Studies, University of Bradford, Bradford, England

Lindsey Collins Dementia care trainer, School of Dementia Studies, University of Bradford, Bradford, England

Communication involves the exchange of information between at least two people, a giver and a receiver. If left unaddressed, communication difficulties may have a profound effect on quality of life and quality of care. Poor communication may result in high levels of anxiety and depression for the person living with dementia. Communication breakdown contributes to high rates of depression in spouses of people living with dementia and is a major problem for family and carers. Positive and supportive communication is essential to ensure good quality dementia care. A person-centred approach focuses on supporting a person to use and retain their skills and abilities. Person-centred communication involves a commitment to including the perspective of the person living with dementia, and an understanding of who the person is, their life history and preferences.

Nursing Standard. 30, 11, 37-41. doi: 10.7748/ns.30.11.37.s45

All articles are subject to external double-blind peer review and checked for plagiarism using automated software.

Received: 20 August 2014

Accepted: 09 February 2015

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Page 2

Matthew Peel Custody nurse, West Yorkshire Police, Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust, Leeds, England

This article outlines the role of the custody nurse in assessing an individual’s fitness to be detained. It addresses all aspects of the assessment, including consent, responsibilities and the structure of the clinical examination. It explores ways to ensure that the detainee’s rights and welfare are maintained and their healthcare needs are met. It offers guidance on preparing a care plan for detained individuals that the police can implement.

Nursing Standard. 30, 11, 43-49. doi: 10.7748/ns.30.11.43.s46

All articles are subject to external double-blind peer review and checked for plagiarism using automated software.

Received: 27 April 2015

Accepted: 04 July 2015

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Page 3

Claire Matata Senior clinician, Urgent Care 24, Liverpool

Ava Easton Chief executive, Encephalitis Society, Malton, North Yorkshire

Benedict Michael Clinical lecturer and neurology registrar, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool and The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool

Becky Evans Research nurse, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool

Deborah Ward Lecturer, Infection prevention and control, School of Nursing, Midwifery & Social Work, University of Manchester, Manchester

Tom Solomon Head of The Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool and neurology consultant, The Walton Centre Neurology NHS Trust, Liverpool

Rachel Kneen Consultant paediatric neurologist, Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool and Alder Hey Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, England.

This article provides an overview of encephalitis and addresses its diagnosis, some of the common presenting signs and symptoms, and the different aspects of nursing care required for these patients. In particular, it addresses how to explain encephalitis to the patient’s relatives, the rehabilitation needs of these patients, and important aspects of discharge planning. Tests that are necessary for diagnosis in patients with suspected encephalitis and the importance of these are explained.

Nursing Standard. 30, 11, 50-60. doi: 10.7748/ns.30.11.50.s47

All articles are subject to external double-blind peer review and checked for plagiarism using automated software.

Received: 24 November 2014

Accepted: 20 August 2015

Keywords :

neurology - nervous system diseases - encephalitis

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Page 4

Halina Skawina Staff nurse, Blackdown Nursing Home, Tavistock, Devon

A CPD article enhanced Halina Skawina’s knowledge of dementia care for patients undergoing surgery

As a nurse working in a nursing home, I found the CPD article on improving surgical outcomes for people with dementia useful and informative.

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Page 5

Lynne Wigens Regional chief nurse, NHS England, Midlands and the East

A three-week travel scholarship to New Zealand gave Lynne Wigens a powerful insight into how pivotal nurse leaders are in the integration of health and social care

In February, I spent three weeks studying nursing leadership on a Florence Nightingale Foundation travel scholarship to New Zealand.

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Page 6

Liz Charalambous Staff nurse in healthcare of the older person, Nottingham University Hospital NHS Trust

Liz Charalambous found studying advanced practice in a global context gave her a fresh perspective on the NHS

I did not know what to expect when I started the advanced nursing and midwifery in a global context module during my master’s degree at the University of Nottingham.

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Page 7

Courses, events, grants, and awards to progress your career

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Page 8

Lowri Aldworth Mental health liaison nurse, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust

Lowri Aldworth reflects on her first year as a qualified nurse, and how her confidence has grown with experience

At the end of my mental health nursing course, I felt ready to start my first job as a qualified nurse. I was looking forward to starting the role for which I had spent three years training.

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Page 9

Graham Scott Editor

Some issues refuse to go away: they are raised repeatedly, action is promised, not much happens, and they come round again. One such example arose last week when the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) issued a report comparing health services in a host of developed countries.

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Page 10

Louise Hunt

Chris Longhurst

A ballot for industrial action by junior doctors angry at changes to their contracts has sparked a call by nursing unions for clarity on their own members’ pay and working hours.

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Page 11

Memories of the sacrifice made by nurses in times of conflict were at the forefront of minds as RCN president Cecilia Anim and council member Roy Tomlinson planted crosses at the annual Field of Remembrance.

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Page 12

Food-sampling that evokes happy memories are being used to reduce feelings of social isolation for people with dementia.

Nursing Standard. 30, 11, 8-8. doi: 10.7748/ns.30.11.8.s4

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Page 13

Preliminary results of an international survey on dementia found a stark difference in the way men and women view the condition.

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Page 14

Mandatory safe staffing levels on hospital wards is one step nearer to becoming law in Wales.

Nursing Standard. 30, 11, 8-8. doi: 10.7748/ns.30.11.8.s6

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Page 15

RCN stewards and council members (pictured) lobbied MPs last week in a bid to block the Trade Union Bill.

Nursing Standard. 30, 11, 9-9. doi: 10.7748/ns.30.11.9.s7

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Page 16

Chris Longhurst

The ratio of nurses to population in the UK is below average internationally, and significantly lower than those with the world’s best-performing healthcare systems.

Nursing Standard. 30, 11, 9-9. doi: 10.7748/ns.30.11.9.s8

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Page 17

A national patient safety warning has been issued on the risk of death or injuries resulting from falls from hoists.

Nursing Standard. 30, 11, 10-10. doi: 10.7748/ns.30.11.10.s10

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Page 18

The waiting time target for primary care mental health treatment in Wales is to be cut from 56 days to 28.

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Page 19

A roundup of the latest nursing news

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Page 20

Alistair Kleebauer

Only 15% of paediatric intensive care units across the UK met recommended nurse staffing levels in 2014, according to a review published last week.

Nursing Standard. 30, 11, 11-11. doi: 10.7748/ns.30.11.11.s12

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Page 21

A nursing student who was the first UK adult to have pioneering surgery for a rare brain condition has raised more than £10,000 for charity Neurocare.

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Page 22

Petra Kendall-Raynor

With residential hospitals closing, learning disabilities nurses are preparing for the change – but is the workforce ready? Petra Kendall-Raynor reports

Plans to move people with learning disabilities who are in residential hospitals back to their community were announced last month as part of NHS England’s transforming care programme for people with a learning disability or autism.

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Page 23

Donepezil could help people in more severe stages of Alzheimer’s disease

Withdrawal of the drug donepezil in patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease doubles their risk of moving to a nursing home within a year, say University College London researchers.

Nursing Standard. 30, 11, 14-14. doi: 10.7748/ns.30.11.14.s15

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Page 24

Women with naturally higher levels of oestrogen are less likely to develop bowel cancer after menopause than women with low levels, new study results suggest.

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Page 25

Around one in 100 patients attending a UK GP surgery is at risk of receiving an inappropriate prescription, and around one in 250 are not being appropriately monitored, new study results suggest.

Nursing Standard. 30, 11, 14-15. doi: 10.7748/ns.30.11.14.s17

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Page 26

Allotment gardening can play a key role in improving physical and mental wellbeing and could be used as a preventive health measure, say UK researchers.

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