With the growing number of dementia diagnoses across India, hospitals are caring for more older adults than ever before. Whether admitted for a fall, infection, or surgery, an elder’s cognitive health travels with them and significantly shapes how they experience care.
This highlights the need to include basic dementia training as a routine part of hospital in-service education. Many hospitals may already be taking meaningful steps in this direction, and those efforts deserve recognition and appreciation.
I recall an experience from one of my previous workplace where an elderly person living with dementia was admitted with an emergency. Although the care team was aware of the cognitive impairment, communication continued through complex questioning that the elder was unable to process.
This was not due to a lack of compassion or effort. It reflected a gap in specialized training.
For staff, it led to frustration when vital information could not be obtained.
For the elderly, it created fear and confusion.
Emergency rooms and ICUs are inherently high-stimulus environments. For someone with cognitive impairment, this can be overwhelming. Without dementia-specific strategies to recognize and de-escalate distress, we may unintentionally see agitation, resistance to care, or increased reliance on restraints not because the elderly are “difficult,” but because they are afraid.
Collaboration as the Way Forward
A “Caregiver Partner” approach, especially in emergency and critical care settings, can make a meaningful difference. Allowing a trained caregiver or family member to be present at intervals can:
• Reduce agitation
• Improve cooperation with care
• Minimize the need for restraints
• Enhance overall safety
Gratitude to Our Healthcare Teams
Deep gratitude to the doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, dietitians, technicians and hospital leaders who already practice compassionate, dementia-sensitive care. Your work shows that this approach is not “soft” care it is safe, ethical, and effective clinical practice.
By continuing to strengthen dementia awareness within standard staff training, we can further support healthcare professionals and ensure dignity, safety, and understanding for our elders.
Let’s keep learning from one another and bridging this gap together.
