When a loved one has delirium

Many older people admitted to hospital experience delirium. Delirium is characterised by a sudden onset of confusion, delusions, sleep disturbance and hallucinations. It has many causes but is often triggered by infection, medications or surgery. Left untreated delirium can have serious medical consequences.

Elderly people hospitalised with delirium can find the experience frightening. Witnessing a loved one with delirum can also be disturbing. A delirious patient is more likely to wander, fall or exhibit agitated behaviour. They may also appear unusually lethargic, apathetic or uncommunicative.

If you are caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease, delirium can cause a rapid progression of dementia. Older people with delirium are also more likely to develop dementia later on. Sadly delirium may cause a cascade of events that lead to nursing home care.

If your loved one is admitted to hospital with delirium you could find yourself providing additional comfort and care during their stay. 

This article in The New York Times gives some hints to what family members can do to help lower their loved one's risk of delirium whilst in hospital and make their stay more tolerable.

See article here: Six Questions to Protect Elderly Patients