The Patient Experience and Involvement Team at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB) are doing amazing work year-round to help tackle loneliness amongst their patients and the wider community, having been nominated for ‘team of the year’ at this year’s RCN awards. Tanya Strange, head of the team, Amanda Whent, lead nurse for dementia and Donna Wigmore, specialist dementia practitioner give us an insight into how they are making the festive season extra special for those who celebrate in their care.
Loneliness is a major public health issue in Wales, with a heart breaking number of physical and mental health effects on those who are lonely including a higher incidence of dementia progression. Tanya, Amanda and Donna have experienced first-hand the positive effects of meaningful activity and socially driven initiatives on patient outcomes including a significant reduction in the need for restrictive enhanced care such as anti-psychotic prescriptions, a decrease in challenging behaviours and increased engagement.
For many, loneliness can feel more pronounced this time of year, with patients having lost life partners, friends and family members or being isolated from their families and the community. Tanya went on to say: “social media and adverts are flooded with positive hype around celebrations and presents. Occasional adverts like the John Lewis ‘man in the moon’ acknowledge that no one should have to feel alone, but in reality, too often the most vulnerable people in society are left lonely over the festive season.”
The team have a strong network of volunteers (over 26 role types), social care workers and community organisations to maintain patient led in-person and telephone befriending services across settings including hospital dementia wards, care homes and in the community.
Donna said: “We can’t always bring people together over Christmas, but some of our activities on the ward include making Christmas tree baubles and writing letters or poems to send to families and packing festive care boxes for patients who have been discharged. Our Chaplaincy service and school contacts also collaborate to help arrange carol services as part of our intergenerational work, which is brilliant in increasing awareness and understanding between young and old.
“It’s all about the experience of the person as an individual. These breakthroughs mean that we and families of patients who may have had a particularly tough time, can see a glimpse of who their relatives really are”.
The impact of loneliness is greater felt by people at home, by those receiving care in the community. In the team’s experience, something as simple as delivering a hot Christmas lunch or the ‘spare chair’ initiative enabling a shared meal make such a difference. Tanya explains that “if we planned and anticipated our volunteering and health care resources for Christmas or any other calendar points like we look at Winter planning, it would be very beneficial in addressing the loneliness agenda in Wales.”
We often have a general perception of what loneliness can look like or who experiences loneliness. Amanda highlights that loneliness isn’t limited to patients during the holidays: “staff are often away from their own families and may even opt to work due to living alone or away from home. The benefits of the engagement work are felt by staff, volunteers and patients alike, as they see the true value of the care they provide and the difference they make through their work.”
The work couldn’t be done without the fantastic volunteers at ABUHB, who give their time to make someone feel special. The team all agree that if you are able to volunteer, do it and you won’t regret it. If you are interested in being more involved in the work that the Patient Experience and Involvement team does in your area, get in touch with the team at ABB.Ffrindimi@wales.nhs.uk.
