One in six hospital beds filled by dementia patients
The study is the most comprehensive review of dementia hospitalizations ever undertaken in the UK. The researchers outline how delayed discharges, lack of communication among NHS staff and hospital environments unsuitable for dementia patients are keeping people in hospital unnecessarily, eroding dignity and exacerbating frailty. Those with dementia are five times more likely to remain in…
A new report reveals that one in six hospital beds in the UK are occupied by patients with dementia. The groundbreaking study, conducted by UCL with support from multiple organizations including the Geller Commission, Dementia UK, and the Alzheimer's Society, analyzed evidence from 77 papers and 1.48 million participants. The research exposes the human, social, and financial costs of unnecessary hospitalizations for dementia patients, which cost taxpayers £328 million annually.
The report highlights that delayed discharges, lack of communication among NHS staff, and unsuitable hospital environments contribute to people being kept in hospitals longer than necessary. Dementia patients are five times more likely to remain in hospital despite being medically fit to leave. The findings show that 45.8% of people with dementia develop delirium while in hospital, and 90% of families describe hospital stays as frightening and confusing.
The report calls for community-centric approaches and better communication to reduce hospital admissions and length of stays for dementia patients.
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