District nurses require a vast array of skills to enable effective care delivery for patients living with a diagnosis of dementia in the community setting. Complex care needs provide challenges for the provision and delivery of district nursing services, which must be overcome to provide patient-centred care. Demographic and financial constraints hamper service delivery and the availability of services; however, district nurses are required to use their problem solving skills and tacit knowledge to deal with these challenges. The Northern Ireland Single Assessment Tool (NISAT) uses a person-centred framework to provide a holistic approach to care. This case study reflects a holistic and person-centred approach to care for a person with dementia by a district nursing student.

Laura Dixon - District Nurse, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast

Hilary Thompson - Lecturer in Nursing, Option Leader Specialist Nursing, District Nursing, University of Ulster, Jordanstown, Belfast