Hospital admissions for people with dementia often have unintended negative consequences, such as complications and longer hospital stays, which are stressful for both patients and their relatives. Nurses play a crucial role in this care but often experience it as complex. This thesis of Annette Plantinga focuses on how nursing care for dementia patients in Dutch hospitals can be improved, with an emphasis on person-centred care and shared decision-making, from the perspective of both nurses and relatives.
An essential part of the study was evaluating a measurement tool that assesses the degree of person-centred care and allows comparisons between departments and hospitals. In addition, the nurses' perspective was examined. Although nurses have positive attitudes, many feel ill-equipped to deal effectively with challenging behaviour and often lack specific knowledge about dementia care.
Relatives experience stress due to poor communication with nurses and do not always feel treated as partners in care. They worry about the safety of their loved one with dementia. Positive experiences occur when nurses recognise the patient's dementia and involve relatives in care decisions. Negative experiences occur when care is focused solely on the illness for which the patient is admitted.
The findings highlight the need for better training for nurses, focusing on dementia care and person-centred care. Improved communication and early detection of dementia are essential. Follow-up research could focus on alternatives to hospital treatment to reduce the negative consequences of admission for people with dementia.
