Pathways 4
Life
Accord
Care & Support
Age UK- Walsall
Dementia Café
Coordinator
Dementia
Hard to Reach
Support
Workers
Dementia
Advisors
Dementia support workers
Dementia
Diagnosis
Support
Worker

• Support Acute hospital staff in improving care by encouraging best practice
• Improving patient, carer and acute staff knowledge of dementia by providing information.
• Support people and carers of people with dementia by role modelling
• Improve outcomes of people with dementia in acute hospitals
• Improve discharge planning
• Increase the number of people with dementia returning to their address on admission

Referring agencies: –
 Clinical Ward Staff
 Mental Health Nurses
 Social Workers
 Discharge Co-ordinators
 Occupational Therapy
 Discharge Liaison Nurse
 Age UK Walsall
 PALS
 A & E, Physiotherapy, Sevacare
 Family Member / Carer
 FEP

Projects Statistics:
 By 2020, there will be approximately 3,885 people with dementia in Walsall aged over 65 yrs.
People supported since April 23 rd 2012:
April – June 2012 31
July – September 2012
October – December 2012
January – March 2013
April – June 2013
TOTAL
72
79
93
105
380

• Encourage best practice by liaising day to day with ward staff to ensure care is of good quality and patient / family concerns / wishes are met.
• Improve Person Centred Care & actively use and promote the use of the ‘This is me’ document.
• Encourage appropriate nutrition & hydration and assistance to feed where needed.
• Improve staff knowledge of dementia by providing information and advice.
• Decrease isolation by referring to volunteers to engage, befriend and provide bedside activities including My Life
Software – and newly acquired reminiscence books.

• Liaise with IDT regarding discharge planning and offer suggestions for support for when the patient is discharged.
• Attend case conferences and MDT meetings.
• Research services, signpost and refer to a wide variety of services and organisations, to include –
Pathways 4 Life Dementia Advisors, Dementia Cafes
Age UK Walsall Services, e.g. Advocacy
Alzheimer’s Society
Sevacare (Home from Hospital Support)
Care home selection

• Emotional and practical support to patients & carers.
• Information on dementia for hospital staff and carers and tips on how to cope with caring for someone with symptoms of dementia.
• Information regarding the variety of possible products, services and support available post discharge to include assistive technology etc.
(hoping to acquire demonstration products).
• Information about the roles of professionals and complex terminology within the hospitals – e.g. Social workers,
OT’s, CHC assessments etc.

Below are just a small selection of quotes from service users and staff:
“Since mom was diagnosed with dementia she has been admitted to the Manor several times over the last few years and, in the past, this experience has been very upsetting for both my mom and us - due to the lack of understanding of dementia by both doctors and nursing staff. This time, your (The DSW’s) input and support has made a huge difference and I cannot thank you enough.”

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“You’re a star, so sympathetic to the situation from the family’s perspective.”
“Don’t know what I would’ve done without you.”
Staff
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“Very approachable staff, willing to help and advise and interact with patients very well.”
“The service has improved attitudes towards dementia.”
“Assists with my role to liaise better with patients and families.”
“Readily available to provide support and information for staff, patients and carers.”

The Support Workers are part of the Older Adults Mental
Health Liaison Team based in Therapies, route 238.
Kelly Davis:
Tel: 07594 513609
Email: kellyd@ageukwalsall.org.uk
Ext: 7408
Michelle Ebanks:
Tel: 07594 513607
Email: michelle@ageukwalsall.org.uk
Ext: 7408

MyLife Software is a tool (purchased for P4L via Awards for All funding) to improve care, provide stimulation and aims to improve quality of life for people with dementia.
What is it?:
 A 24” interactive touch screen computer with built in software that can be updated as and when required.
What does it do?:
 Reminiscence tool (old photos, music and videos)
 Life story book
 Interactive games and activities

 Scottish patient was very agitated and distressed on ward.
 MyLife Software used to bring up images of Scotland on screen – Forth Bridge.
 Patient talked about areas he recognised and this allowed increased interaction.
 MyLife Software helped lift patient’s mood and reduced his level of agitation.
 Allowed engagement and conversation.