What is an Admiral nurse? Defining the specialist role
An Admiral Nurse is a registered nurse with specialist training in dementia care, developed and supported by the charity Dementia UK to help families live more positively with the condition.
The origins of Admiral Nursing
Named in memory of Joseph Levy CBE BEM, known as 'Admiral Joe' due to his love of sailing, Admiral Nurses were established by his family, who founded Dementia UK after he had vascular dementia.
Key responsibilities of an Admiral Nurse
Admiral Nurses provide relationship-centered care, focusing on the connection between the person with dementia and their family. For more details on their specific duties, you can refer to {Link: PMC website https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7774376/}.
How does an Admiral Nurse differ from other nurses?
Admiral Nurses specialize exclusively in dementia care and supporting affected families, contrasting with the broader specialisms of other registered nurses. Their primary focus is the entire family unit's psychological and practical needs in relation to dementia, unlike other nurses who mainly focus on a patient's physical health. Admiral Nurses provide specialist advice, psychological support, and advocacy, often leading training, whereas other nurses perform a wider range of general nursing duties. They work within a specialized dementia service supported by Dementia UK, while other nurses are part of broader healthcare teams. Their target audience is families with complex dementia needs, including managing challenging behaviors and end-of-life care, unlike other nurses who care for patients with diverse conditions.
| Feature | Admiral Nurse | Other Registered Nurses |
|---|---|---|
| Area of Specialism | Exclusive focus on dementia care and the support of affected families. | Broad range of specialisms (e.g., general medicine, pediatrics, critical care) or general nursing duties. |
| Primary Focus | The entire family unit, including caregivers, focusing on their psychological and practical needs in relation to dementia. | The patient's physical health, illness management, and treatment. |
| Core Service | Provides specialist advice, psychological support, and advocacy. Offers tailored, one-on-one help and can lead training for other professionals. | Carries out a range of nursing activities, from administering medication and changing dressings to running clinics. |
| Context | Works as part of a specialized dementia service, supported by Dementia UK. | Works as part of a broader healthcare team within the NHS, community, or other institutions. |
| Target Audience | Families with complex dementia needs, including complex behaviors, high stress levels, and end-of-life care. | A wide variety of patients with various conditions and needs. |
The crucial work of Admiral Nurses in different settings
Admiral Nurses work in various settings to provide continuity of care for families throughout their dementia journey. This includes community and GP practices, hospitals and acute care, care homes and hospices, and via the Dementia Helpline. You can find more information about their work in these settings on the {Link: PMC website https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7774376/}.
How to access Admiral Nurse support
To access Admiral Nurse support, you can call the Dementia Helpline, search the Dementia UK website for local services, or obtain a referral from a health or social care professional. Some services also accept self-referrals. More details can be found on the {Link: PMC website https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7774376/}.
Conclusion
An Admiral Nurse is a specialist, counselor, and advocate for families affected by dementia. Their unique relationship-centered model of care provides expert support to the whole family, ensuring they do not face the challenges of dementia alone.
Why choose an Admiral Nurse?
Choosing an Admiral Nurse provides valuable expertise, including relational support, coordinated care, expert knowledge, and professional development. For more details, refer to {Link: PMC website https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7774376/}.
A note on the training and support of Admiral Nurses
Admiral Nurses are experienced and qualified registered nurses (RN, RMN, or RNLD) before specializing. Dementia UK provides extensive professional development through the Admiral Nurse Academy, enabling them to reach a specialist level and deliver high-quality, evidence-based care. Further information is available on the {Link: PMC website https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7774376/}.
