Living well with dementia strategy
A launch has taken place at St John’s Community Hospital, Sligo of a report aimed at creating greater understanding of what it’s like to live with dementia.
This unique interactive learning experience which takes place in a mobile simulated training unit is see as an exciting opportunity for the HSE.
It aims to support those caring for people with dementia to have greater understanding and empathy in their caring role of what it is like to live with a dementia diagnosis.
A formal research evaluation of the Virtual Dementia Tour was commissioned by the NMPD and undertaken by Ulster University In early 2017.
The report is entitled: ‘A research evaluation of an interactive training experience: The Virtual Dementia Tour.’
Ms Anne Gallen, Director of Nursing Midwifery Planning and Development Unit commented: “We are always exploring new and innovative ways of facilitating education around this important area of practice. Consideration around the findings of this research evaluation will provide the next steps in relation to supporting healthcare teams and carers to provide person centred and evidence informed care to people with a dementia diagnosis.
“Moreover, it has the potential to positively impact nurses as a means of becoming more knowledgeable in the area of person-centred Dementia care.”
John Hayes, Chief Officer, Community Healthcare Organisation Area 1 (Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan & Sligo) said: “This report will provide research evidence to ascertain the efficacy of this type of approach around training and education in dementia care.
“The findings will also inform a person-centred implementation plan for CHO Area 1 that will support delivery of the National Dementia Strategy”.
One of the pertinent messages within The Irish National Dementia Strategy (Department of Health, 2014) informs us that with the right supports a person with Dementia can live well.
Co-operation and Working Together (CAWT) supported The Virtual Dementia Tour ( VDT) training experience in Donegal for two days in the autumn of 2016.
The provision of education and training opportunities for health care professionals and also for carers and people with Dementia is part of the HSE commitment to enable it to meet the needs of people living with Dementia in a person centred and compassionate way.
The HSE Nursing Midwifery Planning and Development Unit (NMPD), Directors of Nursing/Service Managers and their Teams in the North West have been collaborating on this subject.
Also, more recently work has been undertaken with nursing colleagues in the Western Health and Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland to explore how they can work in partnership to build capacity in relation to skills and knowledge around dementia care.