Ward 6D at the Ulster Hospital has received a generous donation from Tesco in Newtownards, enabling the purchase of activity resources for the ‘Dementia Companion Meaningful Activity Trolley’.
These trolleys are specially designed to provide a range of tailored activities for patients with dementia or cognitive impairments, offering individual or group options such as arts and crafts, conversation, music, singing and physical therapy. The goal is to create a calming environment within the busy hospital setting, improving patients’ health, well-being and overall experience.
Service Improvement Lead for Dementia Acute & Non-Acute Services, Tracy Kane, highlighted the significance of this initiative and said, “Admission to hospital is a stressful and frightening time and can be even more so for a person living with dementia. Providing meaningful activities for patients living with dementia is vital for their health and well-being. It helps improve physical fitness, maintain independence, boost mood, combat loneliness, reduce anxiety and potentially decrease falls.
“This generous donation from Tesco for activity resources will allow our Dementia Companions to support patients in feeling more relaxed, ensuring a positive experience during their hospital stay.”
Delighted to make this donation, Tesco Community Champion, Campbell Keatings added, “Tesco’s core objective is to support local communities and charities and help children thrive with healthy food and funding and to support environmental aims.”
The South Eastern Trust would like to thank Tesco for their kind donation and support in helping to provide personalised, meaningful care for patients living with dementia.
The Trust plans to expand this initiative across additional wards to further enhance dementia care.