Case 3 of 40

A sudden change in someone with dementia may be delirium

Example case for staff education

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Mrs Ellis, 84, has dementia. She usually chats with prompting.

Commentary

People with dementia can also develop delirium. Find out how the person usually is. Assess a sudden change in attention or alertness for delirium.

Read the case transcript

Mrs Ellis, 84, has dementia. She usually chats with prompting.

Carer: She knows my name and eats with a little help.

Today she cannot follow conversation and keeps falling asleep.

Nurse: Mrs Ellis, would you like some tea?

Mrs Ellis: Sorry… what…?

The carer describes the baseline. The change began yesterday.

Carer: This is new. She was herself on Sunday.

The team assesses for delirium and looks for causes.

Sources