Delirium superimposed on dementia: mental health nurses’ experiences of providing care
Knowing patients cannot be reduced to a numerical tool and an integrated approach is needed
26 Mar 2024
delirium
Delirium is a medical emergency: an acute state of confusion that commonly affects older people, especially those admitted to hospital. It is hugely distressing for patients, families and carers and increases the risk of mortality. Other potentially serious consequences include longer hospital stays, falls, loss of independence and cognitive decline.
This collection of articles aims to help nurses and care staff to prevent delirium. If prevention is not possible, however, staff should be able to recognise delirium and assess and manage patients in a timely manner.
Please contact Lisa Berry, editor of Nursing Older People, at lisa.berry@rcni.com with your comments, suggestions or feedback and help raise awareness of our content by sharing this resource on social media using the weblink rcni.com/delirium
Nurses’ experiences of identifying delirium superimposed on dementia
How aesthetic ways of knowing people can enhance patient assessment
01 Nov 2023
Managing common neurological complications following cardiac surgery
Risk factors, assessment and treatment of delirium and post-operative cognitive decline
23 Oct 2023
What is the difference between delirium and dementia?
A collateral history is crucial in distinguishing between the conditions
25 Apr 2023
Delirium: when to be worried about confusion, and what to do next
Updated guidance to help you assess patients and prevent or reduce distress
13 Mar 2023
Practical advice and guidance on antipsychotic medication in dementia
New toolkit aids decision-making when managing distress in people with dementia
08 Mar 2023
Identifying the relationship between delirium and falls
The main types of delirium and associated validated screening tools
22 Feb 2023
How can you identify and manage people presenting with delirium in the ED?
The condition can develop quickly and result in increased risk of dementia and mortality
01 Dec 2022
How do I use the 4AT tool for delirium?
Delirium is time-critical, but can be identified with a simple bedside test
11 May 2022
Diagnosing, managing and preventing UTIs in older people with dementia in hospital
Urinary tract infections are common in older people but frequently complicated to diagnose
20 Apr 2022
Delirium types, causes and signs – and how to manage the risk
Tips on recognising this common medical emergency and reducing post-operative risk
15 Nov 2021
Managing agitation secondary to hyperactive delirium in deteriorating patients
Caring for people with delirium and why restraint should be a last resort
08 Nov 2021
Confusion, fatigue and nausea: how to spot the signs of hyponatraemia in older people
Nurses should be alert to low sodium levels and dehydration in older people
08 Sep 2021
Preventing, identifying and managing delirium in nursing homes and acute settings
Older people in nursing homes are vulnerable to delirium, a condition causing confusion
02 Mar 2021
How do I manage delirium in older people with COVID-19?
Delirium is a common coronavirus symptom, and people in long-term care facilities are at risk
11 Jan 2021
Managing behaviour that challenges in people with dementia in the emergency department
Literature review on managing behaviour in people with dementia in emergency departments
30 Dec 2020
Developing a dementia care leaders’ toolkit for older patients with cognitive impairment
Improving hospital care for older patients with cognitive impairment, including dementia and...
27 Aug 2020
COVID-19: what can we learn from our care and treatment of older people during the...
The pandemic has underlined the importance of identifying older people living with frailty,...
06 Aug 2020