involve Issue 12 Summer 2012 - Surrey and Borders Partnership ...

All About Me:
Lalita Haurdhan
With a background in learning disability services, Lalita
Haurdhan is passionate about providing person-centred
care which values people as individuals. She is now
applying this approach within services for older people
with dementia.
Lalita joined the Meadows
in West Park last year as the
Deputy Ward Manager for
Bluebell Wards 1 and 2.
These are two separate wards for
men and women, each providing
assessment and treatment for
people with dementia.
Until last year, Lalita was deputy
team leader for a campus of
learning disability care homes
at Ethel Bailey Close in Epsom.
She is now keen to use the skillset
and expertise she developed
there to bring a new dimension
to older adult services.
People are admitted to Bluebell
wards for assessment because
they show signs of dementia
and are unable to cope with
daily living activities. As a result,
they may also demonstrate
challenging behaviour.
“Having worked in learning
disability services, I can
see some similarities in the
reasons behind behaviour
that might seem unsettled or
confrontational – both in people
with a learning disability and
in dementia sufferers – such
as boredom, frustration, an
inability to communicate or an
inability to make a decision.
This unpredictable behaviour
can often be interpreted as
challenging.“ she says.
“We approach this by finding
out what activities people
like, what they dislike, as well
as what they used to do and
encourage them to record this
information in a ‘This is Me
Passport’. This is a really good
tool which helps us to support
people’s emotional and social
needs as well as their mental and
physical requirements.”
Since January 2010, Lalita has
also introduced a bi-monthly
social and entertainment
function in the unit’s core
lounge where patients, families
and carers spend time away
from the ward and get to meet
each other. The events include
music and enable patients to
participate – with singing if
that’s what they like to do.
Plans were also put in place
Kenneth (centre) celebrates his
birthday with his family at the
social event
Lalita Haurdhan
recently to enable one patient
to watch his son’s wedding
ceremony via the internet (as it
took place in America) and to
have time away from the ward
to attend the local reception,
accompanied by two members
of staff. Lalita says: “Mr
Anderson was fully supported
and attending his son’s wedding
reception made this special day a
very memorable one.”
Kenneth with
the bride and
groom
6 | involve Issue 12 Summer 2012