Mission Hospitals is dedicated to your loved one's safety. This guide will help you understand delirium and what you can do to help.

What is Delirium?
Delirium is not a disease. It is described as:

• Sudden confusion that comes and goes
• Trouble thinking clearly
• Illusions or hallucinations (seeing or feeling things that are not there)
• Short term memory loss
• Not able to pay attention

Delirium often causes changes in moods, including:

• Anxiety
• Agitation, nervousness
• Aggression, resisting care
• Quiet and withdrawn mood or very sleepy

What causes Delirium?
While delirium can affect anyone, elders are at high risk. It is usually caused by a treatable mental or physical illness. Finding the cause can be hard. There are many causes:

• Sudden or severe illness
• Infection (i.e. urinary tract infection or pneumonia)
• Dehydration
• Fever
• Pain
• Constipation
• Chemical imbalances (i.e. low sodium or low blood sugar)
• Reactions to certain medications, such as:
• Pain medicine
• Steroids
• Medicines for stomach cramps or bladder problems
• Sleep medicines
• Cold/allergy medicine
• Surgery
• Lack of sleep or mixing up of day and night
• Being in an unfamiliar place (hospital)

Patients are more prone to developing delirium in the hospital if they have:

• Dementia (any type)
• Hard of hearing/poor vision
• Other brain injuries
• Withdrawal from alcohol or tranquilizers
• Stroke
• Age is over 70 years

How long does delirium last?

Delirium can last from hours to weeks.

How is delirium treated?

Finding and treating the cause or causes of delirium is our goal. It is helpful to:

• Speak in a calm, reassuring tone of voice and tell the patient where he is and why he is there.
• Use the patient's glasses and/or hearing aids
• Provide and encourage the patient to drink water or other fluids.
• Calm the surroundings. Turn off the TV unless it is comforting to patient.
• Promote normal rest and sleep cycles - lights down at night and up in daytime.
• Get out of bed for meals and walk as much as they are able.
• Medications may be needed to treat the delirium. Certain kinds of medications can help calm the patient

What can you do to help?

Patients with delirium find great comfort from family and friends. Family and friends are often the best at easing fears and stress.

• Bringing a walkman with their favorite music is helpful
• Let the nurse know if your loved one is in pain.
• Bring in items from home, such as photos or a favorite blanket or pillow.
• You may be asked to stay with the patient because having someone they know nearby is calming
• Patients in the hospital are often cold. Ask for a warmed blanket for warmth and comfort.
• Ask staff for items from the Activity Box to calm the patient.
• Visit at mealtimes so your loved one eats better.