Zena Aldridge

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Articles

Why we need to challenge the stereotypes in older people’s nursing

Dec 2, 2024 | journals.rcni.com | Zena Aldridge

Zena Aldridge Independent dementia nurse consultant and consultant editor, Nursing Older People Too often a career in older people’s nursing is seen as a fallback position or a step on the road to retirement. But those of us working in the sector know that it is anything but: a wealth of skills and knowledge is required to deliver person-centred care for older people across all clinical settings and all domains of their health and well-being. Nursing Older People. 36, 6, 5-5. doi:...
Nursing older people: why we must challenge the stereotypes

Nov 11, 2024 | rcni.com | Zena Aldridge

Misconceptions and stereotypes surround older people’s care, but their needs are complex and require a wealth of nursing skills and person-centred careToo often choosing a career in older persons’ nursing is seen as a fallback position or a step on the road to retirement. But those of us working in the sector know that it is anything but. It is highly skilled and demands a breadth and depth of knowledge.
What biopsychosocial risks should be considered in dementia care?

Nov 7, 2024 | journals.rcni.com | Zena Aldridge

Zena Aldridge Independent dementia nurse and consultant Mental health nurses proactively identifying risk factors enables a more holistic approach to supporting people living with dementia A risk factor is defined as ‘a personal or contextual characteristic or circumstance that is linked to a negative event and that either causes or facilitates the event to occur’, according to the Department of Health (DH 2009). Mental Health Practice. 27, 6, 18-19. doi: 10.7748/mhp.27.6.18.s8 Peer review...
What biopsychosocial risks should be considered in dementia care?

Oct 1, 2024 | rcni.com | Zena Aldridge

Mental health nurses' proactively identifying risk factors enables a more holistic approach to supporting people living with dementia, their families and carers. This approach not only minimises harm but also promotes autonomy, positive risk-taking and risk enablement. The Nuffield Council on Bioethics redefined dementia in 2009 as progressive mental decline caused by brain damage and suggested that it should be treated as a physical condition affecting mental capacity.
Why we all need to talk more openly about death

Jul 29, 2024 | journals.rcni.com | Zena Aldridge

Zena Aldridge Consultant editor, Nursing Older People A woman living with dementia once told me that she had tried to discuss her declining health with several health and social care professionals.
Why we all need to get over the fear of talking about death

Jul 7, 2024 | rcni.com | Zena Aldridge

A reluctance to talk about death – particularly with people with dementia – could end up denying them the chance of ‘a good death’ A woman living with dementia once shared with me that she had tried to discuss her declining health with several health and social care professionals. The topic of death should not be taboo She was in her nineties and had multiple long-term conditions and was aware that she was approaching the end of her life.
Taking a positive risk can help improve people’s well-being

Jun 3, 2024 | journals.rcni.com | Zena Aldridge

Zena Aldridge Consultant editor, Nursing Older People None of us lives a life without risk.
Taking a risk can be beneficial to our health and well-being

May 8, 2024 | rcni.com | Zena Aldridge

Risky activities can benefit older people’s quality of life, and while nurses naturally want to prevent harm and safeguard, positive risk-taking can be goodNone of us lives a life without risk. We make decisions, even those that may be considered unwise, by weighing up any potential risks and benefits associated with our actions and behaviours.
Risk management and decision-making in dementia care

Mar 20, 2024 | journals.rcni.com | Zena Aldridge |Karen Harrison Dening

Zena Aldridge Independent dementia nurse and consultant, Norfolk, England Karen Harrison Dening Head of research and publications, Dementia UK, London, England Why you should read this article: • To better understand the areas of risk that may become apparent across the life course of dementia • To recognise the ethical issues posed by trying to eliminate the risk of harm for people living with dementia • To consider how the principles of safeguarding apply to risk management in dementia care...
Why we should promote continence in people living with dementia

Jan 29, 2024 | journals.rcni.com | Zena Aldridge

Editorial Next Zena Aldridge Consultant editor, Nursing Older People Ageism is widespread, including in institutions providing health and social care, and in workplaces, the media and elsewhere, according to the World Health Organization. Such ageism can convey a narrative that incontinence is a normal or inevitable part of ageing – and that nothing can be done to change the outcome either for those affected or across healthcare services. Nursing Older People. 36, 1, 5-5. doi:...