Dementia (health and wellbeing needs in South Tyneside)
Additional needs assessment required
Areas identified include:
- Develop a better understanding of the issues surrounding EOSD.
- Consider any specialist requirements relating to, ethnic minority groups.
- Consider any specialist requirements relating to LGBTQIA+ residents.
- Explore the further development of the provider market to meet increasing demand.
- Better understand the needs of the 9% of South Tyneside funded people with dementia (and their families) who currently live out of the borough.
Examine how care home capacity can respond more effectively to the need of those with dementia, particularly those with challenging behaviour and complex needs.
Case Study A: Care of the Elderly Ward - South Tyneside District Hospital
In December 2023, South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Trust opened a new ward, at South Tyneside District Hospital to support older people including those with dementia, installing features "proven to have a calming" influence or help avoid confusion.
The New Care for the Elderly Ward is painted in pastel shades and uses colour-coding to make the purpose of different areas clearer to patients, it also has defused lighting to reduce shadows. Colour coded blue and green bays will help people return to their own bed more easily and the doors to staff only areas are painted white to help avoid confusion.
The ward will also support people with delirium, who can have symptoms similar to dementia, but unlike dementia are short term due to being caused by an infection.
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