Care of Patients with Dementia Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Care of Patients with Dementia - Research Paper Example Environmental factors play a major role in the development of aggressive behaviour in a patient with dementia and contribute to distress and dissatisfaction. Nurses handling elderly patients must be aware of the fact that the environment of the hospital is new to the patient, the surrounding is filled with noise and the individual can feel uncomfortable in the surrounding (McCloskey, 2004).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The first and foremost step in appropriate management of patients with dementia in health care setting is identification of the disease process and careful assessment of the various factors in environment of the patient that contribute to stress. Identification of factors helps in the modification of future care whereas lack of understanding of these aspects leads to frustration, inappropriate care and stress not only for the patient but also for the nursing staff. It is due to such a lack of understanding that many physical restraints are employed in   handling dementia patient s and these contribute to patient mortality and increased burden of work for the nurses (McCloskey, 2004). One of strategies to prevent distress due to physical restraints is adoption of alternatives to physical restraints (McCloskey, 2004). Some such alternatives include adoption of door knob covers instead of doors, employment of various electronic devices like wandering system, bed alarms, door alarms and electronic monitors to monitor the movements of the patient, change in the regimens of medication in such a way that they offer comfort to the patient. and cause minimal disturbance and distress, placing the patient in strategic regions which are compatible to the patient and are familiar to the patient, place safety mattress on the floor to enable safe locomotion, remove tubes and drains in a prompt manner, assist and pursue routine toileting, decrease scope for environmental hazards, prevent falls, employ various aids for seating and positioning and usage of lower beds and emp loyment of split side rails (McCloskey, 2004, table-1). Other alternatives include involvement of volunteers, family members, sitters and hospice workers