Going to A&E with a person with dementia

We had to take my father to A&E and it was a nightmare: hours of waiting, him getting more and more confused and agitated. How can we prepare better?

The A&E department is the worst possible environment for a brain with dementia: lights, noise, strangers, waiting. Preparation and clear communication greatly reduce the harm.

Before leaving home

• Consider calling your country's health helpline or GP first: not everything requires hospital A&E, and some problems are better managed at home.
• Take the kit: medication list, documents, the "About Me"/person's profile document, water, a snack, a jacket (cold rooms), and something familiar (blanket, radio with headphones, photos).

At triage — say this immediately

• "They have dementia, this is not their normal state" — describe what has changed from their usual (this alters the clinical assessment).
• Kindly ask for a quieter place to wait and explain that they cannot wait alone.
• You are their memory: do not leave their side and repeat information to each new professional, without irritation (they rotate; you are the constant).

During the wait

Anchors: holding hands, calm voice, headphones with their music, eating and drinking (if allowed). Short, repeated explanations: "We're at the doctor's. I'll stay with you."

Afterwards

It's common for confusion to temporarily worsen after the episode (environment + acute illness = risk of delirium). Double down on routine and calm in the following days and report to the doctor if they don't return to their previous state within a few days.

Sources: Alzheimer's Society (UK); NHS (UK).