Posters for 2026 Dementia, Delirium and Brain Health Meeting

BACKGROUND Early dementia diagnosis brings significant benefits - enabling patients and families to plan ahead, access support services, begin appropriate disease management, and potentially participate in clinical trials.[1] In the UK, the majority of patients with cognitive concerns first present to their general practitioner (GP). Despite national efforts to improve early detection, NHS England data from 2024 indicate that only around 65% of people aged 65 and over estimated to have dementia had a formally recorded diagnosis,[2] suggesting a persistent diagnostic gap. Timely diagnosis is

Introduction: Many people living with dementia have one or more physical health conditions. For example, they may have heart problems, cancer, diabetes or vision difficulties. These conditions are likely to require attendance at hospital appointments, which can be difficult for people with dementia and those who support them. Aims: To co-design and test a toolkit to help staff improve experiences of hospital outpatient appointments for people living with dementia and their families. Methods: We undertook an ethnographic study in five general hospital outpatient departments. Interviews

Introduction Well-being is increasingly recognised as a core outcome in dementia care; however, existing measures largely focus on hedonic aspects such as mood or comfort. Meaning-based (eudaimonic) well-being, encompassing purpose, autonomy and engagement, remains poorly defined and difficult to assess in people with dementia, particularly due to cognitive impairment and limitations in self-report. This study describes the development and validation of the Well-being in Dementia Inventory (WiDI), a novel proxy-rated measure designed to capture deeper dimensions of well-being in this

Introduction Computed tomography (CT) of the brain plays a crucial role in identifying pathologies responsible for acute confusion and reductions in Glasgow Coma Score (GCS). The quality of radiological request forms is essential to both radiographers and radiologists, with inadequate detail leading to avoidable delays and a reduction in diagnostic accuracy. This Quality Improvement Project (QIP) aims to improve the quality of CT brain requests submitted to investigate acute confusion and reduced GCS between December 2025 and February 2026, from the Care of the Elderly (COTE) wards and the

Introduction Delirium is a common but serious complication in older surgical patients, associated with increased morbidity and mortality, prolonged length of stay and poorer long-term outcomes. NICE guidance recommends all patients are observed daily for signs of delirium and promotes a multidisciplinary approach to prevention and management. The diagnosis and documentation of delirium is important for coding, handover of care and for helping patients and families understand their symptoms.  Methods  Clinical notes of patients aged ≥65 discharged from general surgery in January 2025 (n = 38)

Background Understanding a patient’s usual cognition and communication needs is central to preventing delirium. The ‘Get to Know Me’ booklet is intended to capture this information early in admission and support personalised care. Locally, use of the booklet was inconsistent, and foundation doctors reported they were often unaware it existed, unsure where it was kept, and unclear whose role it was to supply it. This project aimed to improve awareness, confidence and use through a focused teaching intervention. Methods Foundation doctors completed a baseline questionnaire assessing awareness

Introduction: Sleep disturbances are common in individuals living with dementia, especially those living with Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) and Parkinson’s Disease (PD). These disturbances are associated with increased depressive symptoms among carers and can precipitate transition to care homes. DREAMS:START (Dementia RElAted Manual for Sleep; STrAtegies for RelaTives) is a clinically effective intervention for sleep disturbance in all-cause dementias. However, the experiences of supporting individuals living with LBD or PD and sleep disturbance remains unexplored. Therefore, this study sought to

Introduction The Oxford and Reading Cognitive Health After Recovery from acute illness and Delirium- Prospective Study (ORCHARD-PS) aims to investigate the pathophysiology of delirium and future dementia risk after acute illness (Gan JM, Elderton L, Vijayakumar Sheela M, et al. BMJ Open, 2025 Jun 13;15(6):e102028). We determined baseline delirium occurrence, delirium subtype and associations with cognition and frailty in an interim analysis. Methods Acute medical patients aged 65 years and older without terminal illness, advanced dementia or nursing home residence were enrolled after consent

Introduction Inpatient falls among older adults living with dementia are a significant patient safety challenge in acute hospital settings. Disorientation in unfamiliar environments and variable staff confidence in mobilisation contribute to avoidable harm, distress, and increased healthcare costs. This quality improvement project aimed to test the feasibility and early impact of a dementia-friendly environmental and training intervention on an acute elderly care ward. Method A quality improvement pilot was conducted on Hardy Ward, an acute elderly care ward within a large NHS Trust. Using a

Introduction Clock Drawing Tests (CDTs) are an integral part of Comprehensive Geriatric Assessments (CGAs). It is a brief, validated screening tool that assesses multiple cognitive domains. Studies have shown CDT performance is valuable in identifying early cognitive impairment, later functional decline and need for higher levels of care. Our quality improvement project (QIP) focused on evaluating the use of CDTs within CGAs completed by the Geriatric team at Royal Gwent Hospital (RGH). By identifying if CDTs are being used and the barriers to their application, we can implement strategies to

Introduction: Antipsychotics in dementia are associated with higher risks of a wide range of serious health outcomes. Bradford is a national outlier in antipsychotic prescribing with 14.9% of dementia patients prescribed antipsychotics in March 2024 compared to 9% across England. Understanding and addressing the overuse of antipsychotics in BPSD is a priority for the Trust and the West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (WYICB). Method: This 12-month quantitative service development project involved 78 care homes across Bradford District and Craven. Residents meeting deprescribing criteria were

Introduction: Many antipsychotics contribute to anticholinergic side effects, including confusion, cognitive decline, and increased dementia risk. Reducing antipsychotics in behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) may lower these risks and is a priority in Bradford District and Craven. Method: Care home residents taking antipsychotics for BPSD were identified by a mental health nurse in conjunction with care home staff in a larger yearlong deprescribing project. Appropriate residents were enrolled into a deprescribing protocol. The deprescribing regime was communicated to

Introduction: Understanding why Bradford is a national outlier in antipsychotic prescribing in dementia is a priority for the West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (WYICB). Following a successful deprescribing project in 36 care homes in 2024/25—where 60% of antipsychotics were discontinued—it became evident that better understanding of carer attitudes was needed. Engagement with deprescribing varied across care homes, and carers’ attitudes appeared to influence deprescribing success. Method: A qualitative study was designed to explore carer attitude and influence. Interviews were conducted

INTRODUCTION: Collateral history is a vital component of comprehensive geriatric assessment. Accurate and structured information from relatives or carers is essential for safe and effective clinical decision-making. This project aimed to evaluate how consistently collateral histories are obtained for older individuals and whether all essential components are documented. METHOD: The first cycle was conducted in November–December 2024 and included 30 patients. A structured collateral history proforma was used to collect data under the headings: A – Ask what happened; B – Baseline; C – Carers

Complications arising from head injuries obtained during falls, particularly intracranial bleeds (ICBs), are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in older people. For older adults, the most common mechanism of injury leading to ICBs is falling, and up to 43% of those hospitalised for these fall-related bleeds experience long-term disability. This audit set out to determine the effect of adherence to local and national guidelines for older people with fall-related ICBs. We analysed clinical data pertaining to 84 people over the age of 65 (82.8 +- 8.50, 59.5% female) receiving care in the

Introduction Acute agitation is a common and challenging presentation among hospitalised older adults, often occurring in the context of delirium. While non-pharmacological strategies are first-line, antipsychotics or benzodiazepines may be required. However, these treatments carry significant risks, including falls, prolonged hospitalisation, and increased mortality. Guideline-concordant and legally compliant prescribing is therefore essential. At Royal Gwent Hospital, discrepancies between recommended practice and clinical care prompted a quality improvement project aimed at improving

Introduction The Chief Medical Officer’s (CMO) report ‘Health in an Aging Society’ (2023) states there is a rise in the prevalence of age-related conditions, such as dementia. This requires medical school curricula to shift to encompass a ‘new’ demographic within the modern NHS. Older Persons and Integrated Care (OPIC) was developed during a recent revision of the LMS curriculum to ensure local graduates are prepared for the realities of clinical practice, with the aim of improving graduates’ ability to recognise, assess and manage patients with dementia. Method OPIC is a six-week block

Introduction: Delirium affects up to one in four older adults admitted to hospital and is associated with increased mortality, prolonged admission and long-term cognitive decline. Early recognition is recommended by NICE and international guidelines. The 4 ‘A’s Test (4AT) is a validated, rapid bedside screening tool widely used in acute settings. Despite this, timely completion in routine practice remains inconsistent. This quality improvement project aimed to improve compliance with 4AT completion within 24 hours of admission in patients aged ≥65 years. Method: A retrospective audit was

Introduction: The Jean Bishop Integrated Care Centre (JBC) operates a unique, primary care-led Dementia Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) specifically designed for patients living with frailty. Unlike traditional memory services, this model integrates dementia specialists with frailty practitioners to manage complex needs in the community. It is also attended by staff from third party sector (alzhiemers society), local CMHTs, social services and carer support. This audit aimed to characterise the patient cohort, evaluate clinical outputs, and examine preliminary evidence regarding the MDT's role in

Introduction: Adults living with frailty, dementia or nearing end of life, frequently experience identification/diagnosis delays, inequalities, avoidable harms, poorer outcomes and premature mortality. Frailty and End of Life Care (EOLC) evidence based Proactive interventions can improve outcomes, yet delivery across providers is low and inconsistent. Mid & South Essex (MSE) has a population of 1.3 million, 114,000 (9%) are estimated to be living with frailty, dementia or may have EOLC needs (most unrecognized), generating over 62% of 999 calls, 90% of hospital occupied bed days, 71% of