Delirium can be a distressing process for residents and family members. Picture this, daughter comes in to visit mom every week however, today, mom cannot think very clearly, cannot pay attention, and is not aware of their environmental surroundings. Daughter, rightfully so, is concerned and wants to have mom’s urine checked for a UTI. Sure, the root cause of many …
A recent JAMA article discusses how delirium emerged as a well-recognized complication of COVID-19, with particular importance due to its high prevalence and mortality. Unfortunately, early signs of delirium (also referred to as acute brain failure) are often “missed”. During the COVID-19 pandemic, reversible contributors to delirium must be addressed and approaches for delirium prevention and management can be built …
In a recent study of 20,495 patients from the US Department of Veterans Affairs health system discharged to skilled nursing facilities after heart failure hospitalization, delirium was associated with poor functional recovery. The baseline Activities of Daily Living score on admission to a skilled nursing facility was significantly worse among patients with delirium; patients with delirium also had significantly lower …
Delirium is an acute reversible change in mental status characterized by fluctuations in awareness and attention, which often result in complications such as rehospitalization and delayed discharge from SNFs. Although delirium is modifiable and potentially preventable, it is common in patients with heart failure and associated with poor outcomes. In a recent study, patients with heart failure discharged to SNFs …
During the pandemic, delirium emerged as a well-recognized complication of COVID-19, with particular importance due to its high prevalence and mortality, significance as a presenting sign that is easily missed, and preventable nature. Delirium, also referred to as “acute brain failure,” is a common presenting symptom of any severe illness in older adults. Given this, it is not surprising that …
COVID-19 disproportionately affects older adults, partly due to increased prevalence of frailty. Frail adults in residential settings may be at particular risk of transmission of respiratory illness. Understanding the differences in COVID-19 presentation resulting from frailty is imperative to prompt rapid diagnosis, isolation and contact-tracing and to guide assessment and treatment. Early identification of frailty facilitates a differential, targeted clinical …
In a recent article published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, postoperative delirium in older adults continues to challenge the medical profession. As caregivers, we often miss the signs of delirium in our residents unless there has been a significant event such as surgery. It is important to remember that delirium can occur without a major event …
