Angehörige von Patienten mit Demenz als Bindeglied und Vermittler im Akutkrankenhaus

BACKGROUND: The needs of patients with dementia can hardly be met in an organization- and process-oriented acute care hospital. In order to create a successful interaction between patients and hospital staff, the importance of relatives as a link and mediator is considered. OBJECTIVE: From publications on similar topics, it is deduced which conditions relatives need in order to be able to act as a link and mediator. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in the databases of Medline (PubMed), Cochrane, CINAHL, and GeroLit. RESULTS: From the available literature, the reasons for the accompaniment by relatives can be outlined, their activities in the acute care hospital can be described and hindering and supporting factors can be presented. CONCLUSION: Relatives already act as a link and mediator between patients with dementia and hospital staff. In doing so they act as advocates for the patient and are available to the professionals as experts and advisors. To accomplish this task, there are conditions that support or hinder the mediation activity.