Dubbo Lions Club gave the hospital the necessary funds to purchase the activity boxes while members of the local Health Council, the Gilgandra Country Women’s Association and Knit4Charities volunteers donated knitted and sewn items to put in them.

Patients with dementia or cognitive impairment can become unsettled and more confused than usual when in hospital, making their clinical management more difficult.

The distraction boxes were organised as part of a Quality Improvement Project by Melissa Hanson, Emergency Clinical Nurse Specialist, and Cath Brady, Clinical Nurse Consultant in Aged Care.

Ms Brady said the distraction boxes provide activities that have a calming effect on patients with dementia or cognitive impairment.

“Items such as activity mats, aprons and pillows made of bright materials with buttons, zippers or ribbons to fiddle with have been designed to safely stimulate and soothe people with dementia,” she said.

“Other items in the box that could provide a distraction for the person with cognitive impairment are wooden puzzles, decks of cards (picture and number), bead mazes and magic cubes.”

A wide variety of objects have been put in the boxes so that there is something that should appeal to everyone, Ms Brady said.

She said everyone involved in the project deserved praise.

“We’d like to thank everyone who donated time and resources to help get the distraction boxes together,” Ms Brady said. 

“As a result of everyone’s help, we now have full boxes of items for a couple of different units at Dubbo Hospital.

“Seeing the positive effect these activities have on patients is very rewarding. In turn, there is a positive impact on families and carers, as they see their loved ones more settled while in hospital.”

Anyone wanting to to donate or assist the project should call Cath Brady through Dubbo Hospital on 68096809.