Dementia

Northern services

Angela Walter - Admiral Nurse — Dementia Clinical Nurse Specialist
Email: angela.walter1@nhs.net 
Tel: 01271 313998
Bleep: 599
Address: Trinity Suite, Level 5
Northern Devon District Hospital
Raleigh Park,
Barnstaple,
Devon EX31 4JB 

Eastern services

Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford) 

Email: Rduh.dementia@nhs.net 

There are three main types of illness which lead to dementia:

Alzheimer’s Disease
This is the commonest form of dementia. There is gradual and progressive decrease in cognitive function usually starting off with the loss of short term memory. A person can then develop problems with skilled motor tasks, speech and language, visual processing, and problems organising complex tasks such as paying bills.

Alzheimer’s is characterised by microscopic changes within the brain cells consisting of tangles and plaques and cerebral atrophy (shrinkage of the brain).

Treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease: Medication such as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are available for patients with Alzheimer’s disease and can sometimes help with memory as well as mood and behavioural symptoms.

Vascular/Multi-infarct Dementia
Gradual deterioration of small areas of the brain tissue caused by a lack of blood supply eg a clot (like multiple mini-strokes )which affect the person’s memory and abilities to carry out day-to-day functioning. The
deterioration may be in steps.

Treatment for vascular dementia: is addressing all cardiovascular risk factors such as controlling blood pressure, high cholesterol, high glucose suggesting diabetes, stopping smoking and having regular exercise as well as a healthy diet. Anti platelet therapy (eg aspirin) is also indicated in some patients.

Dementia with Lewy Bodies
People with dementia with Lewy Bodies will typically have some symptoms of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. They often experience memory loss, spacial disorientation, communication difficulties, and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease such as slowness, muscle stiffness, trembling of the limbs and a tendency to shuffle when walking, loss of facial expression and changes in the strength and tone of the voice.

Their abilities tend to fluctuate daily even hourly and they often have falls or funny turns. They also experience visual hallucinations often of people or animals.

Treatment for dementia with Lewy Bodies: Some acetylcholinesterase inhibitors have been shown to improve symptoms.

Our Dementia and Delirium Team is based within the acute hospital and provides specialist support across the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Trust. The team currently consists of four members: two Admiral Nurses, a Specialist Nurse in Dementia and Delirium, and an Assistant Practitioner.

The service has expanded to support colleagues across the hospital in delivering high-quality, compassionate, and person-centred care for people living with dementia and those experiencing delirium. The team brings a wealth of specialist knowledge, experience, and practical expertise, which is available to all wards and departments within the hospital.

If you, a family member, or someone you are supporting would benefit from advice or emotional and practical support during a hospital stay, you can ask a member of the ward team or another healthcare professional to refer you to the Dementia and Delirium Team.

Dementia UK provides specialist dementia support for families through the Admiral Nurse Service, these nurses are hosted by the Trust to provide the specialist dementia support families need.

When things get challenging or difficult for people with dementia and their families, Admiral Nurses work alongside them, giving the one-to-one support, expert guidance and practical solutions people need. The unique dementia expertise and experience an Admiral Nurse brings is a lifeline–it helps everyone in the family to live more positively with dementia in the present, and to face the challenges of tomorrow with more confidence and less fear.

There are currently Admiral Nurses in the following areas; North Devon District Hospital, Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital, Woodbury, Exmouth and Budleigh and Sidmouth.

John’s Campaign

People with dementia are often more confused and frightened when in hospital which can be relieved when their carer stays with them. We support John's Campaign at both of our acute hospitals. This means we give open access visiting to carers of people with dementia and they have the right to stay all day and all night if they wish.

Small reminders of home

If you are unable to visit, it would be appreciated if some small reminders of home could be sent in that may help people feel more comfortable. Photographs that can be laminated- especially if the names of people/pets can be added to allow staff to talk about the pictures, favourite books or magazines could all help to make a person feel more at ease.

We encourage and support the use of ‘This is Me’ created by the Alzheimer’s Society and if you have one of these we would find it really useful if it could come into hospital, or be available to teams who may visit you at home. 

Dementia-friendly garden - East

We are lucky to have access to a lovely dementia-friendly garden space at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (Wonford) which provides a tranquil setting for people to be able to sit or walk safely around paths. The garden has benches to sit on and sensory areas to enjoy. Please ask staff on the ward about how you can access this.

Dementia-friendly approach

We have dedicated wards/areas that are designed to be dementia-friendly and our staff have regular training to ensure we are able to provide the highest quality care to patients with dementia and delirium.

Dementia and Delirium Champions

We have a network of Dementia and Delirium Champions across the Trust who work together to deliver projects that are designed to improve the experience of patients and their families/carers.

Blue wrist bands

We encourage the use of blue wristbands for patients with a cognitive impairment to help identify those who may require additional support during their hospital stay. The wristband provides a discreet visual prompt for staff, helping to ensure that individual needs are recognised and that appropriate person-centred care is provided throughout their time in hospital.

What is the Herbert Protocol?

When a person with dementia goes missing, it is vital that they are found and returned to their normal place of residence as quickly as possible. The longer they are missing, the greater the risk of them coming to harm – whether through accident, illness or dangers from other people.

The Herbert Protocol is a form that provides the police and other emergency services with essential information about the person with dementia if they go missing.

The form is completed in advance and a copy kept safely online and/or at the person’s home or care home. If the person goes missing, the form can be handed to the police, giving them the information they need to start searching straight away – rather than family and friends having to remember details in a stressful situation.

The form records important details about the person, including:

• physical description and a recent photograph
• medical information and details of any medication the person needs
• places that are significant to the person
• their daily routine
• previous addresses and places they might visit, for example former workplaces
• contact details for family and friends

‘This is me’ 
“If today you can tell me everything about yourself but tomorrow you can’t, what would you want me to know?”

We use a document called ’This is me’ which can be downloaded from the Alzheimer's Society website. We want all people living with dementia who come into our care to have their own ’This is me’ document. This helps us personalise care to each individual and lets us know your likes and dislikes, life so far and how you take your cup of tea. 

If you are staying in one of our hospitals and have not already completed a 'This Is Me' document, you can request one from the ward team. Our staff are trained to use this document throughout the hospital stay whenever there is a recognised cognitive impairment, and its information can also be invaluable for people experiencing delirium. We are committed to ensuring that everyone living with dementia who comes into our care has their own 'This Is Me' document.

'This Is Me' helps us provide personalised, person-centred care by giving us a better understanding of the individual beyond their medical needs. It captures everything from personal preferences, routines, and life experiences to the small but meaningful details, such as how they like their tea or coffee. This information enables our staff to build meaningful connections, particularly when someone may find it difficult to communicate their needs or wishes. By understanding what matters most to each person, we can promote comfort, familiarity, wellbeing, and a greater sense of safety throughout their hospital stay.

We encourage you and your family or carers to raise any concerns or queries with the nurse in charge on the ward at the time.

Care Direct provides information and help for older people, vulnerable adults and their carers. Call 0845 1551 007. Alzheimer’s Society website: www.alzheimers.org.uk

South West Dementia Partnership website: www.southwestdementiapartnership.org.uk 

Northern services

Dementia Support cafe

See below

Eastern services

Dementia steering group

The Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital has a ‘Dementia Steering Group’ that provides guidance and monitors hospital care standards for those with dementia and their carers.

Honiton Memory Cafe

Honiton Memory Café is a volunteer-led friendly meeting place for people who have a new diagnosis of dementia or who are experiencing difficulties with their memory. 

Any enquiries can be made by phone to our Memory Café Coordinator on 07789 104 601 or by email to info@dementiahoniton.org.uk.

Dementia support cafe at North Devon District Hospital runs on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month from 2-4pm. 

Anyone is welcome to come along and join us, to have a cup of tea/coffee, our favourite biscuit and cakes as well as meet and speak with the Admiral Nursing Team.

Contact

Tel: 01271 313998 Ext 4218

Mobile: 07813 359 331
Email: rduh.dementianursingteam@nhs.net

We produce a wide range of leaflets which provide information about our services and about the treatment you might receive in our clinics or during your stay in hospital. 

We also produce these in different formats including large print, please contact the department you are visiting for more information.

Find out more

Please visit the North Devon Formulary and Referral website

Useful information and organisations:

Devon County Council for practical and useful information for carers on help, support and services availble in Devon Carer's help and support in Devon

Learn how to make, register or end a lasting Power of Attorney in England and Wales Make, register or end a lasting power of attorney: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Guidance on Continuing Health Care. CHC is Free health and social care for adults with long-term complex needs. Learn how to apply, what the assessment involves, and what options are available for care and support  NHS continuing healthcare - Social care and support guide - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Devon Carers can provide information, advice and services for carers. If you look after someone in Devon (except Torbay and Plymouth) this website is for you. You can also call on 03456 434 435 Home - Devon Carers

Carers Allowance is a benefit for people who care for someone at least 35 hours a week, check the website to learn about eligibility, amount and payment including how to apply or what else you may be entitled to as a carer - Carer's Allowance: How it works - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Age UK (Exeter) are a local charity who work across Exeter and can provide helpful information and advice about caring for someone with dementia. They have a team of staff and volunteers who offer support and activities to older people, their families and carers - Welcome to Age UK Exeter

Dementia UK provide support for families living with Dementia. Dementia UK fund Admiral Nurses across the UK. The website gives plenty of information on understanding dementia, symptoms, diagnosis and help sheets. Make use of their specialist Admiral Nurse helpline with any questions or concerns you have about supporting someone with dementia on 0800 888 6678  Home - Dementia UK

Alzheimer’s Society can provide support, information and campaign for people with dementia and their families. You can find out how to get dementia support, access to services and joining an online community through their website Alzheimer's Society (alzheimers.org.uk)

The Filo Project is a not-for-profit organisation that offers small group day care for those with dementia and other challenges of those of older age within four regions of the UK. They aim to enrich lives provide support for families and create an environment that is caring and creative The Filo Project | Award winning dementia day care