Health and Disability

I have been a geriatric mental health clinician since 2010. One of the most complex and perplexing conditions that I have seen in those 65 and older is delirium. Of the troubling “3Ds” (Delirium, Depression and Dementia) often found in the geriatric population, it is easier for me to identify depression and dementia because of the psychological and behavioural features. To complicate matters, these 3Ds can also overlap.

Delirium (or “sudden-onset confusion”) has it’s own unique features, and it affects people in different ways. It is one of those conditions that doesn’t have a specific laboratory test, and takes at least 24-hours of observation to detect.

I have interviewed three women (Mary, Donna and Emma) and I will share their stories of delirium and their older family members. I hope it will help you if you or a loved one happens to be in a similar situation (I have changed all the names to protect privacy).

Delirium is a confused mental state that causes problems with thinking and speaking. A hallmark of the condition is “inattentiveness” with a fluctuating course. The cause of delirium can usually be determined (not always), and it is often medication side effects, infection or some other medical illness that causes a disruption in normal thinking patterns. It usually comes on quite suddenly. It often leaves suddenly as well. In some older people it is harder to detect, especially if the person already has an underlying cognitive impairment such as Alzheimer’s or another related dementia.

“The Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) is a quick way to determine if the person in question may or may not be experiencing delirium:

Ask these questions, and answer to the best of your ability (scoring information below):