%0 Journal Article
%@ 1929-073X
%I JMIR Publications
%V 13
%N 
%P e49618
%T Ad Hoc Modifications to a High Dependency Psychiatric Unit for People With Dementia During the COVID-19 Period
%A Pilunthanakul,Thanita
%A Tan,Giles Ming Yee
%+ MOH Holdings Pte Ltd, 1 Maritime Square, Singapore, 099253, Singapore, 65 66220980, thanita.pilunthanakul@mohh.com.sg
%K dementia
%K COVID-19
%K high dependency psychiatric unit
%K psychiatric intensive care unit
%K caregiver stress
%K SARS-CoV-2
%K psychiatric
%K psychiatry
%K mental health
%K health care system
%K Alzheimer
%K ward
%K care facility
%D 2024
%7 11.6.2024
%9 Viewpoint
%J Interact J Med Res
%G English
%X The COVID-19 pandemic led to behavioral exacerbations in people with dementia. Increased hospitalizations and lack of bed availability in specialized dementia wards at a tertiary psychiatric hospital in Singapore resulted in lodging people with dementia in the High Dependency Psychiatric Unit (HDPCU). Customizations to create a dementia-friendly environment at the HDPCU included: (1) environmental modifications to facilitate orientation and engender familiarity; (2) person-centered care to promote attachment, inclusion, identity, occupation, and comfort; (3) risk management for delirium; and (4) training core competencies. Such practical solutions can also be implemented elsewhere to help overcome resource constraints and repurpose services to accommodate increasing populations of people living with dementia.
%M 38861715
%R 10.2196/49618
%U https://www.i-jmr.org/2024/1/e49618
%U https://doi.org/10.2196/49618
%U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/38861715