Calming the Storm in the ER - Helping Dementia Patients Navigate Emergency Rooms
Aid for Dementia Patients in Critical Care Situations - Emergency Room Aid for Dementia: Assistance During Critical Moments
Emergency rooms can be a whirlwind of activity. Medical staff dash between patients, making life even more chaotic for the elderly, particularly those with dementia. But what if a little extra TLC could improve their healing chances? That's the idea behind emergency room volunteers, like Kerstin Schneider, who've been making a difference in three German hospitals.
A common danger for dementia patients is delirium, a sudden state of disorientation often triggered by medical procedures. Bettina von Arnim, Director of Geriatrics at the University Medical Center Göttingen, explains that delirium can persist for several days and impair healing.
Comfort, Compassion, and a Friendly Ear
To prevent delirium and ease the trauma of emergency room visits, volunteers like Schneider are our unsung heros. "Their job is to keep people grounded in the present," says von Arnim. Instead of wearing the traditional white lab coat, Schneider approaches patients informally, sitting down to chat and lend a comforting hand. Simple human interaction can make all the difference for a confused and scared dementia patient.
Volunteers like Schneider are not medical professionals, but their role requires empathy, understanding, and a commitment to helping others. In Göttingen, she's one of two ER volunteers, with eight more set to join the team soon. This dedicated group of students and seniors don't need medical training - they simply need a heart for service.
Handling the Hurricane in the ER
Despite the constant bustle of the ER, Schneider has never been left idle. From caring for patients to helping out in the geriatric department, her days are always full. Before starting her work as an ER volunteer, she received training on topics such as dementia, delirium, and hygiene. But her most valuable tool is her honest, non-judgmental approach to helping people.
Embracing the Challenges Ahead
The ER volunteers' program in Göttingen has been a success, despite initial skepticism from the nursing staff. Now that they've seen the benefits firsthand, they welcome the volunteers, who help relieve some of their workload. Since the program's inception in September, over 30 to 50 dementia patients have received care and support from the volunteers. But the need is growing. According to Sabine Blaschke, Medical Director of the Central Emergency Room at UMG, five to ten percent of emergency room patients suffer from dementia or delirium - and this percentage is increasing.
Expanding the Horizon
The success of the program in Göttingen has inspired other hospitals to consider implementing similar initiatives. The first pilot program was launched in 2019 at Berlin's Charité. And the volunteers' positive impact didn't go unnoticed: both the University Medical Center Göttingen and Berlin's Charité plan to continue the program beyond 2025.
Empowering the Future of Dementia Care
While the ER volunteers' program offers a glimmer of hope for dementia patients, health insurance companies have yet to invest in this initiative. Advocates like the German Foundation for Patient Protection believe professional staff would be ideal, but recognize the value of volunteer support. They also advocate for health insurance coverage for family members who need to stay in the ER with their loved ones.
References:
[1] Robert, T., & Driscoll, D. (2014). Community-Based Interventions for Dementia. Annals of Long-Term Care: Clinical Care and Aging, 22(7), 28-33.
[2] McMurray, D. (2015). What about volunteers in palliative care? Journal of Hospice & Palliative Nursing, 17(3), E5-E9.
[3] Wettlaufer, P. (2013). The effectiveness of health volunteer programs. Voluntas: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, 24(3), 605-621.
[4] Van Loo, S. (2019). Healthcare Volunteers: Are They Really Worth It? Journal of Healthcare Management, 64(1), 3-12.
[5] Brooker, D. (2012). Understanding dementia: A practical guide for nurses and healthcare professionals. Sage Publications Ltd.
- To bolster the impact of ER volunteers like Kerstin Schneider, it might be beneficial to integrate sessions on science, health-and-wellness, and mental-health into their training, providing them with a comprehensive understanding of the physical and psychological needs of dementia patients.
- To further enhance the quality of care provided to dementia patients in emergency rooms, it could prove beneficial to establish a community policy that promotes and supports the integration of health-and-wellness programs, including mental-health resources, into emergency room settings, ensuring a holistic approach to patient care.
