Rotherham Hospice makes dementia a priority

The charity is linking up with Rotherham Dementia Action Alliance to ensure patients needs are recognised.

A clinical nurse specialist has been hired to focus on Namaste care — a programme designed to improve the quality of life for people with advanced dementia — and train nursing home staff.

Diane Keeley, the hospice’s head of patient and family support services, said: “Action plans have been agreed to ensure dementia care is intrinsic within our organisation.

“Historically there has been a failure to identify dementia as a terminal illness by health and social care professionals, hence people with dementia may not have had access to specialist palliative care services. 

“If dementia is more routinely identified as a terminal diagnosis, health and social care professionals will be able to provide more appropriate support and care to people with dementia and their loved ones.”

She added: “We are now working with RDAA on ensuring we are a dementia-friendly organisation both within all hospice services and also in our shops to influence our staff to provide and support others to provide high quality dementia care.”

• Read more about how Rotherham Hospice marked Hospice Care Week in this Friday’s Advertiser.