Delirium in the Hospital and Worsening Dementia

Patients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia who suffered episodes of delirium while hospitalized had a sharply increased rate of mental decline after being hospitalized compared to those who did not have any such episodes.By Bob DeMarco Alzheimer's Reading RoomOne of my greatest fears as an Alzheimer's caregiver was that Dotty would need to be admitted to the Hospital. This was topped only by my fear thatDotty would end up in the Hospital near the end of her life.We managed to avoid both. However, on more than one occasion I was asked by a doctor if I wanted to admit Dotty for a couple of days for testing and observation.On these occasions Dotty was very sick and we really couldn't find anything wrong. Twice she was very sick for about a month and then bounced back.When it comes to Alzheimer's disease and related dementia it my belief that the Hospital is to be avoided. Article -27 Ways Take Care of a Dementia Patient in the HospitalSubscribe to the Alzheimer's Reading RoomEmail:Fact: an estimated 80 percent of patients in intensive care units experience delirium during their hospital stay; however, delirium is unrecognized in 60 percent of patients who experience it.Hebrew SeniorLife links delirium and long-term cognitive decline in Alzheimer's patientsPatients with Alzheimer's disease who suffered episodes of delirium while hospitalized had a sharply increased rate of mental decline for up to five years after being hospitalized compared to those who did not ...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - Category: Neurology Tags: alzheimer delirium dementia elderly dementia care health help alzheimer's help with dementia care Hospital memory care facilities memory care facility nursing home Source Type: blogs