A TREMADOG hospital is set to become the first dementia supportive hospital in the whole of the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board area.

Ysbyty Alltwen has been busy putting in place a range of standards to make things easier for those with dementia, and their families, during their stay in hospital.

BCUHB is the only Health Board in the whole of Wales to have devised these types of standards, and with a total of 10 separate measures to follow, the team at Alltwen is well on the way to achieving them.

Training has been key to the team’s success so far with added emphasis on raising awareness. Changes have also been made to the environment to create more dementia friendly surroundings.

Simple things such as new signs and painting bathroom and toilet door frames in different colours so as to make them clearer.

The Butterfly Scheme – a completely voluntary scheme which allows patients with dementia to be identified with a butterfly emblem should they wish – has been rolled out throughout, and John’s Campaign has been implemented to allow carers and families to carry on with their own routines in an effort to decrease anxiety levels while they’re in hospital.

A relationship has also been set up with Dementia Friends and Alltwen is currently working with local businesses to raise awareness.

Also, the Hospital League of Friends, as well as the local WI, and residents have been busy knitting ‘Twiddlemits’ to help reduce agitation and fidgeting for those with the condition.

Staff nurse Emma Owen is leading the project: “With increasing numbers of people living with dementia, the need for appropriate environments and carers receiving the best training is a must for appropriate care provision.

“It’s time that we bring an end to the stigma associated with dementia, but we can only do that by raising awareness and providing the right support.

“By completing these 10 standards we will be well on our way to improving care provision and the environment here at Alltwen.

“What’s more, by developing links with others in the community we are hoping that awareness of dementia will increase and the stigma associated with it will be diminished.”

See the full story in this week’s Meirionnydd and Arfon/Dwyfor editions of the Cambrian News