Navigating transitions – a story of hope and change
New resources including animated videos are available to help support people living with dementia transition out of hospital.
Imagine not feeling the warmth of the sun on your face for 290 days. This was the experience of one person who was in hospital for that length of time.
For Jack, a retired schoolteacher living with dementia, the hospital had become a confusing place, even though he had walked those corridors for 290 days. The clinical environment, constant noise, and changing faces of healthcare staff contributed to his anxiety and disorientation.
Jack’s story is not unique. Many people living with dementia face similar challenges during hospital stays. Hospitals, often bustling and busy, are not places for long stays. Built for acute care or rehabilitation, the environment is not designed to be someone’s long-term care arrangement, if possible.
We thank our healthcare staff for their dedication and supporting people like Jack in his acute time of need. But at the same time we want to see a transition out of hospital and for it to occur as smoothly as possible.
This move out of hospital though can be equally daunting for someone like Jack. In fact, any transition can be stressful – out of hospital, from home into care, and even returning home. This is because a move always involves change and this can be particularly challenging for someone living with dementia.
“We want to see a transition out of hospital and for it to occur as smoothly as possible.”
As Jack’s discharge from hospital approached, he and his family were filled with apprehension. They had witnessed some decline in hospital and feared the move to residential care would only worsen his condition. However, they took steps to prepare for his move by working with the hospital staff and the aged care staff.
Team members met with Jack and his family to develop a plan. They learned about his love for the outdoors, his passion for reading, and his need for routine. These insights were crucial in crafting a plan that would minimise stress and promote comfort.
On the day of the move, Jack was greeted by familiar faces and people who already knew about the things that mattered most to him. The aged care home had set up a sunny reading nook, and staff were prepared to incorporate outdoor time into his daily routine. One of the first things he did each day was turn his face towards the sun.
Gradually, Jack began to settle into his new environment. The consistency and understanding from the staff helped rebuild his sense of security. Regular outdoor walks and quiet reading sessions became part of his daily life, improving his mood.
He had his good days and his bad days. But Jack’s story highlights the importance of working together, sharing information, and understanding how sometimes it is the simplest of things – like the feeling of sun on your face – that can make all the difference.
If you would like to see some other ways you could support people like Jack, check out Dementia Support Australia’s animations and tips on how to navigate transitions in care at dementia.com.au/transitioning-care.
Bethany Kings is a national program manager at The Dementia Centre.
Australian Ageing Agenda’s regular dementia section is guest edited by The Dementia Centre, HammondCare. For further information contact hello@dementiacentre.com
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