Best Practice: Weighing Patients with Dementia
Visuo-perceptual difficulties are common with dementia patients, which can lead to vision / colour misconceptions and a distorted reality.
In the words of expert Pamela Buxton, the incorrect use of a pattern, colour or texture can result in “rising stress and increase the risk of falls among an already vulnerable user group.”
The need for dementia patients to be regularly weighed comes from previous research that has shown clear links between weight loss and dementia.
Weight loss occurs frequently in the later stages of dementia - one study even showed that weight loss may be an early indication of the condition. As time passes, weight loss is likely to become more pronounced.
How can you make weighing more comfortable for dementia patients?
After consulting with dementia experts, we're offering an alternative to our traditional black floor and wheelchair weighing scales.
The new white scales are designed for dementia patients to make them feel more comfortable in their surroundings.
We were told that, for dementia patients whose sensory faculties have weakened, a dark scale can be mistaken as a hole. This could lead to an increased risk of falling, in a group of patients who are already frail and susceptible to falls.
As standard all of our scales come in standard black, but we have now released two scales in a white finish, which makes them much more suitable for patients who have dementia, or visual/spatial problems.
About our white scales
The Marsden M-650 Wheelchair Scale: This Class III Approved scale has a large weighing platform which makes it suitable for any wheelchair. The scale can be used to calculate weight and BMI.
As well as being available in white, the scale can be ordered with one or two handrails for extra support for patients who wish to stand when being weighed. And, with Bluetooth connectivity (available as an optional extra) it can transfer weight data to medical records.
The Marsden M-420 Floor Scale: This scale has a 220kg capacity and readings to the nearest 50g. It’s Class III Approved, robust, lightweight and portable – with an optional carry case.
The scale can be powered on without bending down via the tap-on function and can be used to calculate BMI and weight.
For more information about any of our scales, call Marsden on 01709 364296 or contact us here.