YORK Hospital trust has launched a £200,000 fundraising campaign to support patients with dementia.

The York Teaching Hospital Charity wants to help patients living with dementia in wards across its hospitals, with new equipment to make their stay easier and to avoid a decline in their condition that can be seen in some patients staying in unfamiliar surroundings.

Among the equipment, memory boxes full of reminiscence cards, photos and games from the 1940s and 1950s will stimulate early memories and encourage discussion with staff and visitors. Meanwhile, computer tablets designed specifically for people living with dementia will be accessible to patients in wards across the hospital, as well as specially designed clocks and lighting.It is also hoped that toilet seats throughout York Hospital can be replaced with dark blue seats, as research shows that colour is the easiest colour for people living with dementia to see.

Emma George, assistant director of nursing at the York Trust and the lead for dementia care, said: “We already have some fantastic support in place for people living with dementia when they are admitted into our hospitals – we have open visiting hours for carers which is part of the John’s Campaign initiative and amazing volunteers called dining companions who help support patients during meal times where possible. We have also recruited dementia volunteers to offer support to patients and carers and have dementia champions on various wards across the organisation.”

With patient consent, small forget-me-not flower emblems, are also put on beds to alert staff to any extra attention patients may need.

It is estimated that 850,000 people are living with dementia in the UK and it affects one in six people over the age of 80.

If you’d like to find out more about the appeal or make a donation visit york.nhs.uk/dementiaappeal. Donations can also be posted to: Dementia Appeal, York Teaching Hospital Charity, York Hospital, Wigginton Road, York, YO31 8HE”