The Long and Winding Road

‘If you knew how unreasonably sick people suffer from reasonable causes of distress, you would take more pains about all these things.’
Florence Nightingale 1860

Prolonged periods of bedrest can be very tedious. But many hospitals and care homes have come up with ways of making life for long stay patients a bit more bearable.

• 'Hospice at home' nurse helps terminally ill patients through their photographs
• A box of labelled food in the ward kitchen can help a patient who is struggling to enjoy food
• A Crabbit Old Woman
• Simple ideas can make a huge difference in care homes and nursing homes
• BBC programme 'Relationships' discusses 'Adjusting to bad news'
• Large Piece Adult Jigsaws can help those with limited hand movements or partial sight
• Age Concern video highlights the problems facing older people
• Age UK .. 'Hungry to be Heard' helping older people at mealtimes
• Age UK continue campaign to avoid malnutrition in hospital
• The Robert Ogden Macmillan Centre, Leeds - Complementary Therapies
• Alzheimer's Society encourages communication skills by 'Singing for the Brain'
• Alzheimer's Society explain how to understand and respect someone with dementia
• Aprons..... not plastic bibs
• Associated Content suggests a variety of gift ideas for older people
• Bancroft Gardens Residential Home enjoy classic films accompanied by ginger beer and popcorn
• Bed bathing - a gentle conversation can be reveal hidden worries and minimise embarressment
• 'StorkNet' gives a bedrest survival guide for pregnant mums
• Bingo and other board games help residents with short term memory loss to play their part
• Blankets can bring warmth and comfort to immobile patients
• Board Games can restore confidence of people with short term memory problems
• Bringing your own pillow to hospital can make perfect sense (scents)
• British Geriatric Society launch campaign 'Do not forget the person'
• British Geriatric Society urge staff and relatives to keep older people's glasses sparkling clean
• British Geriatric Society urge staff to check that batteries work in older people's hearing aids
• British Lung Foundation offer Breathe Easy Support groups
• British Red Cross offer therapeutic care
• Colourful, large wall mounted calendars help patients with dementia
• CALL Cancer Aid and Listening Line in Manchester
• CancerHelp UK explains benefits of art therapy for cancer sufferers
• Car drives to a local beauty spot give pleasure to many residents in Care homes
• Carestar entertainment specialises in music for older people
• Changing the View
• Chatting to other visitors on the wards - one visitor's personal view
• Many patients may be reluctant to eat because their teeth or mouth are sore..but not everyone checks
• Chips from the chip shop can be great finger food and lift the spirits of long stay patients
• BBC Woman's Hour debate - Chosing Where To Die
• Clearly written notes, clearly displayed can help carers care for patients in the community
• Cocktails in the garden lift the spirits of residents at a Care Home in Derbyshire
• 'Shakespeare Hospice' - Complementary Therapies for relatives
• Shakespeare Hospice offers counselling for patients and carers
• Crossroads Care is the leading provider of support for carers and the people they care for
• Curtains simply re-aligned can improve the view for a patient
• Dementia - sensible advice from a relative
• Dignified Revolution
• North West Dignity Leads Network simply show how little things make a big difference
• Dignity Action Day 2012 - bigger than ever
• Dignity Ambassador, Michael Parkinson, explains the importance of maintaining a patient's dignity
• Michael Parkinson, Dignity Ambassador 2009/2010 talks to the 'The Sun' about patient dignity
• District Nursing Student gives common sense advice on pain management
• District Nursing Student shares her thoughts on foot care
• DIY foot spa can be a relaxing treat for some long term patients
• Dorset Country Hospital NHS Foundation Trust help with parking issues for patients with disabilities
• Dorset County hospital, Dorchester run a 'Diners Club' for stroke patients
• Dorset County Hospital Stroke unit volunteers make a huge difference
• Alzheimer's Society urges early diagnosis of dementia to help patients and relatives plan the future
• E-mails keep family and friends up to date and enable patients to keep in touch
• ENSA provides entertainment for care homes and day centres
• Entertainment possibilities in the local community for older people in care or at home
• Shakespeare Hospice - Family Support
• Famous 'Musicals' and 'Comedy Classics' Lift Patients' Spirits
• First Act Workshop drama students read poems and stories to patients at Walsall Manor Hospital
• Foot care is so important for any patient who may struggle to communicate
• GCPA activity network provide a fantastic range of entertainment ideas for all ages and abilities
• A senior ward nurse explains why communication at every level is so important
• Gift ideas for older long stay patients
• Hand washing can make the world of difference to patients in bed
• Handwashing after meals is hygenic and restores the dignity of vulnerable patients
• Headway offers advice and support for anyone affected by a brain injury
• Heartlands Hospital patients have 'Dior' make-over
• Shift ms is a website created by young people for young people with multiple sclerosis
• Helpful advice on admission to hospital. A personal view from a relative
• Helping to run their care home dignifies many residents
• Home-cooked food can help whet the appetite of a patient in hospital
• Shakespeare Hospice - Hospice at Home team
• BBC programme 'Relationships' examines Hospice care
• How a family coped when their child with Down's syndrome developed leukaemia
• If a patient can't sleep...there may be a reason!
• Simple information, clearly displayed, can offer reassurance for anyone with a memory problem
• Interact Reading Service provides entertainment and therapy for stroke victims
• Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust use Memory Suitcases to help patients with dementia
• Ipswich Hospital Offers Ward Matron Drop-in sessions to patients and relatives
• Ipswich Hospital offers Ward Matron Drop-in sessions to Patients and Carers
• Ipswich Hospital use sensitively placed symbols to alert staff when patients have additonal needs
• Juliet Shaw, District Nursing Student offers her thoughts on care in the community
• Knitting and other simple skills help patients with dementia feel valued
• Labelled family photos around the bed can help staff relate to patients with communication problems
• Large hospitals often have several car parks Be warned
• AHVRP gives award to 'Life Histories' project at Banner Baywood Medical Centre and Heart Hospital.
• Macmillan offers free and confidential helpline about living with cancer
• Macmillan supports more than 900 support and self-help groups and organisations in the UK
• Making connections can make patients feel more at home
• Manchester City Council do 'Dignity in Care' with style and energy
• Mental Health Matters operate a phone line for anyone dealing with mental health issues
• Mindapples helps us look after our minds
• Mirrors can help increase the range of vision of patients with disabilities
• Mobile phones sensitively used can help patients maintain that vital link with the outside world
• Motor Neurone Association helps people in many ways including access to wheelchairs
• Moving or raising the bed for a better view
• Music Therapy brings rhythm and fun to Walsall Manor Hosptial
• AHVRP award 'Musical Bridges'-old and young come together with mutual benefits
• New Cross hospital in Wolverhampton pioneers care for people with dementia
• New Shoes!
• Newspaper headlines and photos can be a simple way of keeping brain-damaged patients in touch
• NHS Choices offers bereavement support
• NHS Local explains the importance of Personalised Care Plans
• Nurses offers advice relevant to all patients but especially the terminally ill
• Oldham hospital can make patients feel more like a person than a number
• Patients should be treated as guests
• Patients and visitors enjoy a cup of tea together
• Patients can help each other in so many ways
• Perfume makes a real difference
• Personal thoughts from a District Nursing Student following the loss of her father
• Pets as Therapy
• Pets as Therapy provide dogs that delight patients at Walsall Manor Hospital
• Pets bring huge pleasure to patients.. in more ways than one
• Bancroft Gardens Residents enjoy photo session with full make up and hair-dos
• Pictures to Share create specialised books with large pictures for people with dementia
• Pillows are to support the patient though, sometimes. the reverse is true!
• Political Correctness? There are moments when the best staff know it's best to ignore the rules!
• Pre-prepared late night snacks can be a welcome treat for some
• Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil offers gentle entertainment to patients with cancer
• Project Linus brings comfort to sick children through beautifully hand-made blankets and quilts
• Questions to ask when choosing a care home- a personal view
• Radio Lollipop provides care and comfort to children in hospital,
• Recording the memories of someone who is terminally ill can help the patient and their loved ones
• Bancroft Gardens Care home opens their doors to sunshine and the community
• Regularly checking if a patient is happy with everything is so important
• Relatives and Residents Association encourage oral hygiene with 'Keep Smiling' campaign
• Royal Brompton Hospital's 'Modern Matron' thinks 'outside the box' to help long term patients
• Royal Leamington Spa Rehabilitation Hospital invite entertainers to amuse and delight the patients
• Royal Leamington Spa Rehabilitation Hospital 's art classes have multiple benefits
• Royal Leamington Spa Rehabilitation Hospital 's new bird tables entertain patients and help wildlife
• RS suggests ways of keeping the belongings of a patient more accessible
• Samaritans offer confidential support whenever you are feeling distressed
• Sandwell Primary Care Trust bring children and older people together in the 'playtrain' project
• SANE offers help via phone or email or a support system to anyone affected by a mental illness
• Pre-prepared sandwiches are a great snack for older people in care homes with unusual sleep patterns
• Sensible advice on how to improve a hospital experience from someone who has seen it from all sides
• Shakespeare Hospice move the reception desk and make a difference in more ways than one!
• Shakespeare Hospice Volunteer drivers make a real difference
• Shoes and Slippers that fit correctly are so important for patients in hospital or care homes
• Cystic Fibrosis sufferer offers personal advice on making the best of a hospital stay
• Simple life history in a picture frame helps communication with stroke victim
• Sister P's simple ideas make a huge diffence to patient care
• Soaking parts of your body in water can delight a bed-bound patient
• Solihull hospital uses computer games to help patients' recovery
• Some practical ideas from a mother caring for her chronically sick child in hospital
• Southampton hospitals' 900 volunteers offer 30,000 hours help in a year
• Starlight aims to bring smiles and laughter into the lives of seriously and terminally ill children
• Stroke Association gives simple advice on how to reduce the risk of a stroke
• Stroke Association organises a chorus for stroke patients
• Suite 101 offer advice on how to help dementia patients through memory books
• Surname, first name or preferred name?
• Take-aways can be a great ,occasional, alternative to hospital food
• Taking time to understand a patient before treatment begins can make an enormous difference
• Tea and biscuits can provide brilliant therapy
• Teenage Cancer Trust offers lots of advice for family and friends
• The Cinnamon Trust provide tender loving care for pets when their owners are unable to care for them
• The Patient's Association helps patients get the best possible healthcare
• The perfect tea or coffee
• The Queen's Nursing Institute launch campaign Right Nurse, Right Skills
• Thoughtful advice for a patient needing long term care for a leg ulcer
• Tracy Parkinson believes that laughter is a patient's best medicine .. and don't forget their pets
• University Hospital, Coventry's Memory Lane and Forget-me-not Lounge help patients with dementia
• Victoria Ward at Warwick Hospital use ski mittens to prevent patients removing naso-gastic tubes
• Visitors with bright interesting clothing can bring a smile to a patient on dull days
• Shakespeare Hospice Volunteers
• Walsall College health and beauty students pamper patients at Walsall Manor Hospital
• Walsall Manor Hospital's Bingo gets patients talking
• Walsall Manor Hospital Main Entrance includes a restaurant, cafe, shop and cash machine
• The American 'Associated Content' website offers advice on Warmth and Coolness in hospital
• Warwick hospital staff brought food from hospital canteen to tempt a frail patient
• Wheelchair adapted taxis provide a welcome chance to escape for a few hours!
• Whizz-kidz provides mobility equipment for disabled children and young adults
• Worcestershire Primary Care Trust offer expert patient courses for people with long term conditions