John's story
Read John's story - a journey of liberation at Priory Hospital Dewsbury
John's condition deteriorated rapidly, leading to challenging behaviours that overwhelmed his family. Upon admission to Dewsbury, he exhibited hostility and agitation. His Alzheimer's, compounded by physical health issues, made care complex, but specialist interventions helped him progress.
John's story at Priory Hospital Dewsbury
His family were caring for him, but John’s* condition had deteriorated rapidly and he presented with increasingly complex and challenging behaviours, that his family struggled with. On admission to Dewsbury, it was noted that John could be highly resistive and was agitated and hostile.
John also has a number of co-morbid physical health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, recurrent leg cellulitis and arrhythmia. These issues, coupled with John’s Alzheimer’s, made this patient’s behaviour extremely complex and often unpredictable. Along with experiencing frustration, anxiety and agitation, John also experienced probable delirium due to infections caused by his physical health conditions.
His presenting problems included poor coping strategies, long periods of time spent in his bedroom, and socially isolating with no friends. The aim of this admission was to re-engage him in the community, provide support in structuring his own day, and lead him towards a more independent life.
During his time on Jubilee Ward, a number of specialist interventions were utilised to minimise the risks that John posed to himself and others. Over time, our staff team came to learn John’s subtle changes in presentation which allowed them to intervene when necessary, minimising risk and supporting his progress further
Medication is also used to reduce John’s complex behaviour and regular reviews take place to ensure that this is always the most appropriate treatment. The team also makes use of distraction and diversion techniques, management of pain, and engagement in one-to-one activities, which always appear to be beneficial.
Before John came to Dewsbury, he had difficulties in attending to activities of daily living; there was an inability to sequence tasks appropriately, and he wandered from his home regularly (police assistance being required to locate him).
Now, with input from our team, he is supported to dress, attend to personal hygiene appropriately, and communicate with his family in a calmer and happier way.
*Name changed to protect identity