Charity funds sensory items for dementia and Alzheimer's patients in Withybush Emergency Department

Pictured above (L-R): Tracey Sanders, Senior Sister and Jo Dyer, Senior Nurse Manager.

Thanks to donations, Hywel Dda Health Charities, the official charity of Hywel Dda University Health Board, has been able to fund sensory items worth over £800 for patients with dementia or Alzheimer’s who attend the Emergency Department (ED) at Withybush Hospital.

The items include books and jigsaws which help reduce anxiety and reassure patients with dementia or Alzheimer’s.

Josephine Dyer, Senior Nurse Manager, said: "We’re very grateful that charitable funds have enabled us to purchase the sensory items for ED.

“It can be very distressing for patients with dementia or Alzheimer’s to be removed from their home environment and placed into a clinical space. To try and reverse these anxious effects, it is essential to try and make their care environment as comfortable and familiar as possible.

“Sensory stimulation can provide several benefits including relaxation, mood improvement, and the promotion of positive feelings. The sensory items also provide engagement which can be calming, prompt special memories and this can lead to improved mood and contentment whilst in the ED at Withybush.”

Nicola Llewelyn, Head of Hywel Dda Health Charities, the official charity of Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”