AHRQ Innovations Exchange | Hospital Volunteers Engage Dementia/Delirium Patients, Leading to Fewer Falls and Improvements in Emotional Well-Being

Innovation Profile:

Hospital Volunteers Engage Dementia/Delirium Patients, Leading to Fewer Falls and Improvements in Emotional Well-Being


Snapshot
Summary
Trained volunteers at Bega Hospital support inpatients with dementia and/or delirium by talking to them about past and current events; assisting with eating, drinking, and exercise; and participating in enjoyable activities such as playing cards. Volunteers communicate with nurses about any apparent patient needs and document patient activities and behaviors for inclusion in the medical record. Volunteers and staff believe the program has had a beneficial effect on patient outcomes, including nutrition and hydration status, safety, and emotional well-being. Although definitive evidence is not available, the program appears to have reduced patient falls but had no meaningful impact on length of stay, use of antipsychotic medications, or mortality.

Evidence Rating
Moderate: The evidence consists of a prospective cohort study that compared patient falls, length of stay (LOS), use of antipsychotic medications, and mortality rates in a facility implementing the program to the same measures in a somewhat similar facility not implementing it (although this facility had a lower-risk patient population); other evidence includes post-implementation questionnaire feedback from staff and volunteers involved in the program.

Developing Organizations
Alzheimer’s Australia New South Wales Dementia Advisory Service, Bega Valley New South Wales, Australia; Southern New South Wales Local Health Network, Australia

Date First Implemented
2009

Patient Population
Age > Aged adult (80 + years); Vulnerable Populations > Frail elderly; Rural populations; Age > Senior adult (65-79 years)



full-text:
AHRQ Innovations Exchange | Hospital Volunteers Engage Dementia/Delirium Patients, Leading to Fewer Falls and Improvements in Emotional Well-Being