Delirium in Elders: Challenges of Nursing Care

Abstract

Delirium is acute cognitive dysfunction and inattention, typically lasted and for hours or days with a fluctuating course. Additionally, it is a temporary condition which can usually be recovered to normal. The major causes of delirium in elders consist of predisposing factors and precipitating factors. Besides, Delirium is associated with the longer stay in hospital and high mortality rates. According to its categories, there are hyperactive delirium, hypoactive delirium, alternate between these states, or normal consciousness. Delirium can be diagnosed by applying the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), and the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM), all of them are popularly used among therapists. To strategically manage, it will run according to the causes of delirium; for instance, the non-pharmacological approaches are the first strategy to prevent and to manage delirium by promoting an older people’s reorientation about the person, time, and place, encouraging appropriate nutritional intake, and promoting adequate sleep and rest. Besides, the early detection and treatment can also prevent the complications of delirium.