Delirium: Why It’s Such a Big Deal and How to Lower Your Risk in Hospital

Delirium is the most common complication of hospitalization or surgery for older people and its effects can be long-lasting and life-threatening. Research shows it can be minimized and even prevented.

Photo by Brandon Holmes on Unsplash

My great-aunt was in and out of the hospital quite a bit during the last few years of her life, usually for a brief one- or two-night stay to address chronic, minor ailments. At the time of check-in, she would be her normal self but over the next twelve hours, she would get more and more disoriented and confused. Her attitude would shift from wittily sarcastic to caustic and downright mean. Sometimes she would hallucinate — especially in the middle of the night — and she would get progressively more argumentative and resistant towards hospital staff and family members holding vigil at her bedside.

She was experiencing delirium and even if you’re not familiar with the term, you’ve probably seen its effects on family members or friends. Grandpa or Grandma arrives at the hospital lucid and centered but rapidly becomes befuddled and disorientated. They hallucinate, develop extreme paranoia and get restless, agitated and combative…all for no apparent reason. Some people…