COVID-19 patients at risk of falling into delirium

COVID-19 patients at risk of falling into delirium


COVID-19 patients isolated in their hospital rooms face a difficult road. Now, imagine that same room for an elderly patient in cognitive decline or suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

Everyone who enters their room is dressed in gowns, with masks and face shields that make them look like space aliens. Visitors are restricted, so the patient might not have direct contact with family or friends for days or even weeks.

Many of the things that caregivers might do to keep confusion and fear at bay are suddenly unavailable because of the safety restrictions for the coronavirus.

At-risk patients in these circumstances are at heightened risk of delirium, and hospitals are increasingly working to keep them cognitively healthy. A program at University of Florida Health assigns specialized nurses called delirium prevention champions whose job is to interact with these patients to maintain mental well-being.

Delirium occurs when changes in the brain cause confusion and emotional turmoil. It can cause hallucinations, outbursts and other problems that slow healing and put someone at greater risk of bad outcomes. Experts say keeping an at-risk seniors isolated in a room is the worst thing for them.

The UF Health champions talk to the patients, keeping them oriented. They learn what foods the patients like and help them place meal orders. Most important, they help the patient participate in video calls with family. Often, family is the best medicine in keeping patients from slipping into delirium.

COVID-19 has created a crisis in geriatric medicine. The goal of programs like UF Health’s is to make the hospital room feel more like home and less like Mars.

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