Lorrraine Burgess
The experience and training of staff in acute hospitals frequently tends to be overlooked in addressing the needs and recognising the conditions of delirium, depression and dementia. Older people with these conditions often present with inability to articulate symptoms such as pain or anxiety as well as inability to communicate their physical and care needs. This can result in a downward spiral including agitation, aggressive behaviour, poor nutrition, dehydration, incontinence and pressure ulcers.The Lets RESPECT project gives health and social care professionals the opportunity to develop an understanding of depression, delirium and dementia through an educational toolkit which is holistic in nature and which has an emphasis on a bio-psychosocial approach to care. It highlights the importance of understanding and recognising the conditions but more importantly identifies how by getting to know and understand the person how this can influence the quality of care given. It is a tool which can be used in any ward or department of a general hospital or care setting.
The project itself was a shining example of how project management through enthusiasm, commitment, communication and professionalism can be achieved successfully and put into practice.
