Hospitalization with positive effect on dementia patients

Proper treatment of dementia patients in hospitals can lead to improvements

When people with dementia have to go through a hospital stay, it does not necessarily mean that the symptoms of dementia worsen in patients. Such a hospital visit can even improve the ability of people with dementia if the conditions are tailored to the needs of these patients.

A recent evaluation study by the German Institute for Applied Nursing Research (DIP) found that staying in a hospital for people with dementia can increase their ability to improve when the clinics are focused on the specific needs of the sufferer. The doctors now published a press release on the results of their investigation.

If people with dementia have to be hospitalized, this does not necessarily lead to a worsening of the symptoms of dementia. With the right care specifically tailored to the patient, even improvements in the abilities of the affected dementia sufferers are possible. (Image: Robert Kneschke / fotolia.com)

Physicians are studying 400 patients for their study

The researchers accompanied the treatment of 400 patients in the Malteser Hospital St. Hildegardis in Cologne over a period of three years. The special care unit of Silvia Station in this hospital is very well arranged and offers a kind of family cohabitation with a kitchen as well as a day and dining room. Patients living here are also not fixed to their bed. This is still being done in some other settings to prevent patients from running away, the experts explain. According to the study, the relatives of the patients affected by dementia also mentioned the open and warm-hearted way in which the staff dealt with the patients.

Staying at the clinic resulted in various improvements in the patients

During their stay in such a specially designed ward of a hospital, the mobility, mental and everyday skills of the patients improved significantly, the experts explain.

Treatment concept sets new standards

The results of the current study are also very interesting for all other clinics, say the authors. The concept really sets new standards. Through such a concept, people with acute dementia can be treated in the hospital in such a way that they can leave the institution stronger again despite their illness.

Politicians and payers are in demand now

Politicians and payers must now provide measures for a secure refinancing, demand the medical profession. So far, the financing of such a treatment is unfortunately only possible on one's own account. Under current hospital financing, it is by no means possible for most hospitals to provide such treatment for people with dementia, the physicians add. (As)