Dear Editor:
I wanted to thank the North Shore News for giving us a newspaper box to use on 4 West at Lions Gate Hospital. The North Shore News is not just a newspaper, it is a lifeline to my patients’ lives prior to coming into hospital.
A lot of my patients are in different stages of their dementia. On 4 West we strive to keep life as normal as possible while they are here with us. My patients grew up with a coffee and a paper first thing in the morning. Wednesday mornings are our favourite days here. There is nothing like the feeling of holding a fresh newspaper, the smell of the ink, the way the paper feels in your hands and turning the pages.
The newspaper stand is a perfect addition to our unit’s “bus stop.” Sometimes we have patients who want to leave and catch the bus, but due to their cognitive impairment and safety concerns they are not able to go home. The staff ask them to sit at the bus stop. We can offer them a paper and a coffee “while they wait.” They usually get distracted and forget that they wanted to leave. The staff are able to then engage them in another activity without using medication. It’s a gentle way of managing dementia.
Having a local paper allows my patients to continue to feel a part of their community. It helps them navigate their day and keeps them abreast of the world and current events. The paper gives them dignity, normalcy and routine.
Thank you for supporting us and a big thank you to your team. We love the North Shore News.
Krista McPhail
4 West patient care co-ordinator
Lions Gate Hospital
