195Dementia and Delirium Awareness Training in a Rehabilitation Setting

Abstract

Background: The patient profile in a 160 bed rehabilitation hospital has changed recently to include older person rehabilitation services alongside orthopaedic rehabilitation. An audit completed by the occupational therapy department on one day in 2018 demonstrated a high level of patients who had a score which was indicative of a cognitive impairment. 64% of patients had a score indicative of a cognitive impairment. It was identified that there was a need to provide education for all staffin dementia and delirium awareness to meet these patients' needs. Method(s): A dementia care committee was initially established with an Educational Development subgroup responsible for addressing dementia and delirium awareness training. Educational material input was received from the field of occupational therapy, nursing, medicine, pharmacy and dietetics. The programme was accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland. A focus group was completed pre/post formulation of the presentation. Representatives from various departments were invited to attend. Feedback provided was used to inform and finalise the content for the training. Result(s): Sessions are completed once monthly. Twenty-two participants to date have attended. (1) Ten-point Likert scales are completed pre and post training. (2) Data from the Likert scales were analysed revealing on average a 2.72 point increase in knowledge of dementia, a 2.80 point increase in awareness of the impact of dementia on function and a 2.60 point increase in confidence in caring for a patient with dementia. Conclusion(s): This training programme is currently in the initial phase. The aim is for all staff to complete this training with the objective of increasing awareness of dementia and delirium thus enhancing quality of care for these patients. The programme will also facilitate adaptation of rehabilitation services for patients with cognitive impairment so they can achieve optimal benefit from the service.