The charity, in conjunction with the Royal College of Nursing, has produced the leaflet which contains space for dementia patients to complete some personal details about themselves.
The leaflet then accompanies them if they ever need to come into hospital and serves as a handy reference for staff who may not have met the patient previously, but may find information about their life history or likes and dislikes helpful.
Specialist Nurse for Dementia Care at Weston General Hospital, Sister Susie Milton, took delivery of the hospital’s supply of This is Me leaflets and is arranging for them to be available to all dementia patients and their carers in the clinics and wards.
Patient Martin McInally, of Weston-super-Mare, has vascular dementia.
Martin said: “I feel that the leaflet ‘This Is Me’ will be extremely useful.
“It will enable all health professionals with whom I came into contact to know more about me as a person and have a greater understanding of my needs.”
Hazel Moore, Branch Manager of the Alzheimer’s Society, North Somerset branch, said Martin had told her of two occasions when he told health professionals that he was a professional clown.
On both occasions the members of staff turned to a family member, in front of Martin, to ask if this was true.
As Martin had been a clown for more than 30 years, he felt very insulted at not being believed.
Hazel said: “If this information is written on a leaflet like This Is Me, everyone will know at the outset, and will also know that Martin is always happy when making balloon models—a skill which he retains despite his dementia.
“This could mean that staff could lessen his stress and anxiety by giving him the opportunity to make balloon models.”
Sister Susie Milton said: “We welcome this new initiative in the Trust as it will help to make the needs of Alzheimer’s patients known to any member of our staff who needs to look at their notes while they are in hospital.
“Key details, such as their past occupation or family members’ names may help with recognition and communication.”
Sister Milton also thanked Hazel and her team who regularly attend the Trust’s Memory Clinics to offer advice and support to patients and their families on aspects of their care, such as financial benefits or day care facilities.
For more information, please telephone the Alzheimer’s Society on 01934 514977 or email north.somerset@alzheimers.org.uk
For further Trust information, please contact Caroline Welch, Head of Communications, on 01934 647091