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In This Episode:
Dr. K explains the basics of delirium, a state of worse-than-usual mental function that can affect up to 30-70% of older adults after surgery and during serious illnesses. She covers:
- Why delirium has been referred to as post-operative confusion or even ICU psychosis
- The story of her father’s delirium
- Why people often confuse delirium with dementia, and how the two conditions are related
- Why families often notice signs of delirium before doctors and nurses do
- 3 key reasons delirium is so important for us all to learn more about
- 10 things to know about delirium, including how it can be diagnosed, treated, and prevented
Related Resources:
- 10 Things to Know About Delirium
- Hospital Delirium: What to Know & Do
- How to Promote Brain Health
- Hospital Elder Life Program
- If ACE (Acute Care for Elders) Units Are So Great, Why Aren’t They Everywhere?
- 7 Common Types of Anticholinergic Drugs
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Matthew Dollinger says
Hi Dr. Leslie – I’m diving into your podcast on this topic and very interested. My mom has dementia and recently took a fall where she broke her leg. She was in the hospital / rehab facility for about 3 weeks and recently came home only to progressed from probably a stage 3/4 to a 4/6 in this short time period. Is delirium something that can essentially exacerbate the dementia process? Is there any hope of coming back from this? Thanks a ton.
Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH says
Sorry to hear of your mother’s recent fall. Yes, delirium has been associated with what you might call an “exacerbation” of dementia, both in terms of mental function being worse than before for weeks (or even months), and also in terms of delirium being associated with acceleration of cognitive decline. Now, after delirium some people with dementia do eventually recover to the way they were before, but many will improve yet never get to be quite as good as before. If she’s just recently come home, it’s too soon to tell, and I would encourage you to focus on being patient and helping her rest and recover.
I have more on the relationship between dementia and delirium here: 10 Things to Know About Delirium. Good luck!
Donna Vandermuren says
Mom’s in hospital, very unusual, not her self. Want to understand more. I need some information, this sound what I need to know about what’s happening now with her.
Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH says
Yes, being “not her usual self” during hospitalization would be very concerning for delirium.
If you want to learn more, I would recommend taking a look at the related resources, especially the article on hospital delirium and the longer article on 10 Things to Know About delirium. Good luck, I hope she feels better soon!