Published on: 17th March 2016
Dementia patients in Lincolnshire have been learning about the importance of keeping hydrated, as part of a range of activities promoting a national health awareness week.
Nutrition and Hydration Week runs from 14 to 20 March, and patients on Langworth Ward, one of Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s older adult dementia units, enjoyed a ‘hydration buffet’, featuring freshly made soup and a quiz to guess the most hydrating fruits and vegetables.
There was also a chance to give staff a good soaking in a charity sponge throwing event, all to raise money for items towards the ward’s reminiscence cabinet, which helps patients to rekindle their past memories and help in their treatment.
The events were organised by Langworth Ward’s activities coordinator, Anita Laskey, who said she wanted to raise awareness of the importance of keeping patients fully hydrated at all times.
Our hydration buffet featured a selection of fruit and veg which all contained over 90 per cent water content and we made soup for everyone to enjoy. All the food was prepared by patients as part of the activity and they all really enjoyed it. It’s vital for our patients to keep fully hydrated throughout the day, as your body gets older your thirst can diminish and you’re more likely to dehydrate – so it’s important to maintain the right balance. We monitor each patient’s food and liquid intake on admission to the ward and this will immediately highlight whether they are at risk of dehydration or malnutrition.
Anita also admitted that she didn’t mind braving the stocks and letting patients throw wet sponges at her - all in aid of a very good cause.
We charged £1 for three wet sponges and staff put their heads in the stocks to raise money to go towards funds for the ward, added Anita.
It was a bit cold and wet but well worth it in the end.
Statistics from NHS England show that around one in three patients admitted to acute care will be malnourished or at risk of becoming so. The aim of Nutrition and Hydration Week is to create a global movement that will reinforce and focus energy, activity and engagement on nutrition and hydration as an important part of quality care, experience and safety improvement in health and social care settings.
In addition to the activities on Langworth Ward this week, United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust staff provided free fruit and cream scones for patients during afternoon ward rounds at Pilgrim Hospital, Boston as well as afternoon tea for patients at Grantham and District Hospital.
You can donate to to ward's reminiscence cabinet through LPFT's dedicated charity page https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/lpftcomms
