How do I manage the care of an older person with delirium?
Guidelines recommend prompt detection by screening older people on admission to hospital
15 Apr 2020
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 should be delirium champions and identify people at risk as early as possible
Many risk factors can be mitigated and nurses need to be knowledgeable about it
09 Mar 2020
Differentiating between dementia, delirium and depression in older people
How to clinically assess, diagnose and treat patients
25 Nov 2019
Engagement between secondary school students and older patients in an acute hospital
A project promoted meaningful interaction between schoolchildren and older patients
16 Oct 2019
Treat delirium as a medical emergency
Delirium is a medical emergency and risk reduction should be considered throughout care
24 Jul 2019
World Delirium Day: nurses will raise awareness of signs, symptoms and treatment
Features of the condition include disorientation, hallucinations and lack of responsiveness
12 Mar 2019
Improving the identification of patients with delirium using the 4AT assessment
Delirium is a common neuropsychiatric disorder that all those working with older people will...
14 Nov 2018
Recognising and managing delirium in patients receiving palliative and end of life care
Why you should read this article: » To improve your awareness of the causes of delirium in...
26 Sep 2018
When someone with dementia has delirium, they may well be in pain too
Assessing for delirium helps nurses spot and control patients’ unspoken pain
18 Sep 2018
Lifting the barriers to mental healthcare for older people
New resources are tackling the stigma and social issues that restrict access to care
10 Aug 2018
Could it be delirium?
A campaign to increase awareness of delirium urges swift action to prevent harm
23 Jul 2018
No longer a backwater, care homes offer a career
Care homes can be vibrant places to work, with a clear career structure
13 Jun 2018
Care of older patients with delirium in hospital
This article aims to assist nurses and nursing students to consider the presentation of...
02 May 2018
Dementia and delirium: making late-night patient transfers a thing of the past
A nurse-led project to avoid moving patients at night has helped reduce the risk of anxiety...
19 Mar 2018
Sedative may prevent delirium in critical patients in intensive care
A low dose of the sedative dexmedetomidine given at night may prevent delirium in critically...
19 Mar 2018
How do I improve delirium care for older surgical patients?
A serious condition with poor outcomes, delirium is best prevented by early identification...
07 Mar 2018
Practical strategies to help develop dementia-friendly hospital wards
Hospital stays can have significant negative effects for people with dementia. This article...
26 Feb 2018
Recognising delirium in the community
When older people develop delirium, it can land them in hospital and set off a cycle of...
04 Oct 2017