Delirium Memes

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Delirium Memes

Eight previously published memes about delirium recognition, care and communication.

Meme showing two portraits of Samuel Johnson. Text describes an older person with new confusion being treated for presumed UTI without a 4AT, medicines review, retention check or delirium diagnosis. Opens full-size image in a new tab.
Looking beyond a urine dipstickDo not use urine dipsticks to diagnose or exclude urinary tract infection in adults over 65. Assess symptoms, signs and other possible causes, and follow current guidance.
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Four-panel meme. One person says, He seems very quiet today. Another replies, He is probably just tired. The first person looks concerned and asks, Right? Opens full-size image in a new tab.
Quiet can be deliriumHypoactive delirium can be mistaken for tiredness. A new reduction in alertness or activity needs assessment.
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Two-panel meme showing a man smiling and then looking serious. Text contrasts recording a positive 4AT score with failing to record delirium or take action. Opens full-size image in a new tab.
Acting on a positive 4ATA positive 4AT is a prompt for clinical assessment and action, not an endpoint.
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Meme. A tired-looking man stands outside. Text reads: Sedating a delirious patient. Finding the pelvic fracture 2 days later. Opens full-size image in a new tab.
Sedation and a missed pelvic fractureSedation can obscure important causes of distress or agitation. Investigate and treat underlying contributors.
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Meme showing an older man lowering his glasses. Text reads: Wondering why you wrote new confusion instead of delirium. Opens full-size image in a new tab.
Naming deliriumName delirium when supported by clinical assessment; vague documentation weakens handover and follow-up.
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Meme showing a skeleton sitting on a bench. Text reads: Hippocrates on delirium: bad and deadly. Waiting for modern healthcare to get it. Opens full-size image in a new tab.
Bad and deadlyDelirium has been recognised for centuries and still merits urgent, serious attention. The wording is satire, not a verified quotation from Hippocrates.
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Meme showing Boromir from The Lord of the Rings. Text reads: One does not simply call it confusion and give antibiotics for a presumed UTI. Opens full-size image in a new tab.
Confusion is not a diagnosisDo not substitute a vague label or presumptive treatment for assessing delirium and its possible contributors.
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Four-panel expanding-brain meme. It progresses from dementia charities ignoring delirium, to mentioning delirium, to providing delirium resources for caregivers, and finally advocating for better delirium care. Opens full-size image in a new tab.
Dementia charities and deliriumIncluding delirium information and advocacy in dementia services can support people with dementia and their carers.
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These eight images were specified by the author and matched to previously published copies in the supplied Social Media Hub or the World Delirium Awareness Day collection. This collection is separate from the Delirium Academy modules.

Created by , Professor of Geriatric Medicine at the University of Edinburgh. This is an independent personal project, not an official NHS or University of Edinburgh website.

No adverts, sponsorship, industry involvement, or external funding.

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