Read story C03: Walk beside me (image and text)
Dementia agitation and walking: when a different care plan helps
For weeks, Idris becomes distressed when staff ask him to remain seated. A psychiatrist reviews his health and medicines, listens to his daughter and watches what happens on the ward. Supported walking becomes part of a practical team plan. It takes consistent work, rather than one conversation, before his distress becomes much less frequent. BPSD means behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia.
Story text
Panel 1. Idris has dementia. For weeks, he has been distressed when told to sit down.
- Idris: I need to go.
Panel 2. A psychiatrist reviews his health, medicines and possible delirium.
- Sara: He has always needed to walk.
Panel 3. Repeated assessments do not suggest ongoing delirium. The psychiatrist watches the ward routine.
- Psychiatrist: Being stopped seems to make him more distressed. Can we help him walk safely?
Panel 4. The team plans support, a safe route and rests. Staff are allocated to help.
Panel 5.
- Nurse: Shall we walk together?
- Idris: Yes. This way.
Panel 6. After two weeks of consistent support, distress is much less frequent.
- Sara: He still needs help. But he’s no longer fighting to move.
Bottom band. Safe supported walking can be part of care. The aim is not to keep everyone sitting.