Hospice Launches New Dementia Nurse During World Alzheimer’s Month

This September Garden House Hospice Care (GHHC) is supporting World Alzheimer’s Month, an international campaign to raise dementia awareness and challenge stigma. Every three seconds someone in the world develops dementia and it is predicted that 152 million people will be living with dementia by 2050.

GHHC recently appointed Admiral Nurse, Lucy Cosgrove, who will provide specialist dementia support to the local communities the Hospice serves.

Admiral Nurses work with people and families affected by all types of dementia, including; Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies.

In this role, jointly funded by GHHC and Dementia UK, Lucy will provide advice, guidance and support to families, carers and those living with dementia approaching the end of their life. She will be supported, trained and developed by Dementia UK in her post.

Lucy will also share best practice through educating and training other health and social care providers who support people with dementia within the Hospice and the wider community.

Lucy says:

“I hope to make a difference not only by improving the care that is provided, but also to support and empower the families and carers by looking after their wellbeing. If they aren’t well, they can’t care for their partner, relative or friend who has dementia.”

Jayne Dingemans, Director of Patient Services at Garden House Hospice Care, adds:

“Approaching end of life can be a very difficult time for people living with a diagnosis of dementia and those close to them. Lucy’s role will enable the person with dementia to live well and remain in a familiar place surrounded by familiar faces to the end of their lives, which is very much in line with our ethos at Garden House Hospice Care.”

Paul Edwards, Director of Clinical Services at Dementia UK, said:

“We are delighted to welcome Lucy to our growing Admiral Nurse fold. Dementia specialist Admiral Nurses are an emotional and practical lifeline to families who are facing the toughest times with dementia.

“Every family should be afforded the care and support they need no matter what stage of dementia they are at and which care setting they are in. Dementia specialist nurses in hospices are vital in particular due to the challenges that end of life care can bring emotionally, practically and spiritually. We have no doubt that Lucy will go on to do great things within her role.”