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Health & Fitness

Hospital Admission for an Elder with Dementia

Elder Care Insights provides education, guidance and support for older adults and their families. The blog is written by our professional staff at Elder Care Consulting, Elder Care Associates and Senior Moments.


Hospital Admission for an Elder with Dementia


Older adults with dementia are at great risk of becoming increasingly confused when admitted to a hospital. This confusion is called a delirium.  This does not mean that the dementia has become worse. It means that the person has a change in mental status brought on by a medical condition. This is similar to the confusion that older people may exhibit when they develop urinary tract infections or pneumonia.

Delirium, or this new state of confusion, frequently resolves, once the underlying medical problem has been treated. However, if the delirium continues long enough it may become chronic. Therefore, it is important to not only treat the underlying health condition but also to do everything possible to change the physical environment of the hospital stay.

Routine sleep habits may be disrupted. Sleep deprivation from multiple staff interruptions, noise, sleeping medication, and sedatives frequently cause more confusion. Individuals may be isolated in a private room or have a roommate who stays up all night. People with hearing loss, or visual deficits tend to be at a greater risk of confusion. Additionally, a lack of familiar people compounds the effects of these experiences that are aspects of any hospital stay.

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Because the patient is new to the hospital staff, older adults may be labeled with a new diagnosis of dementia while in the hospital, even through the cognitive changes are related to their illness or the hospital environment.

All of these scenarios point out the benefits of working with a Professional Geriatric Care Manager who acts as an advocate for older adults and works to educate the staff at all levels. Medications are confirmed, clarification of the client’s true physical and mental status is shared, resulting in a less stressful and confusing experience for the patient.

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Lori O'Connor, MSN, APRN is a nationally certified Professional Geriatric Care Manager and a Certified Dementia Specialist with Elder Care Consulting, LLC She owns and manages three companies providing geriatric care management, home support services and an adult day center.

To learn more about our services visit our website www.eldercareconsultingllc.com or call 860-643-9500.
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