Delirium Guidance for Older People & Families.
A sudden change in an older person’s thinking, awareness or behaviour can be worrying for families. AgeWell Nursing provides online delirium education and nursing guidance to help families understand why sudden changes matter and prepare questions for the appropriate healthcare professionals.
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- Delirium Guidance for Families
Independent perspective
Guidance centred on your family’s concerns
100% online
Private consultations by Zoom or Teams
Clear professional boundaries
Guidance alongside your healthcare team
Sudden Confusion Is Different From A Gradual Change.
Delirium describes a sudden change in a person’s mental state. It can affect attention, awareness, thinking and behaviour, and symptoms may fluctuate over the course of the day.
For families, the change can be distressing, particularly when an older person suddenly seems very different from their usual self.
Delirium can have different underlying causes. A sudden change in an older person’s mental state should not be self-diagnosed and needs appropriate medical assessment.
Changes That May Raise Concern.
Choose the consultation that best matches your concern, book a suitable time and meet privately with Caroline by Zoom or Microsoft Teams.
01 A sudden change in confusion or awareness.
02 Difficulty concentrating, following a conversation or staying focused.
03 Being unusually sleepy, withdrawn or less responsive.
04 Being unusually restless, distressed or agitated.
05 Changes in behaviour that are different from the person's usual pattern.
06 Symptoms that appear to improve and worsen at different times.
Bring What You Have Noticed.
Families often know an older person's usual behaviour, personality and abilities particularly well. That context can be important when describing what has changed.
During an AgeWell consultation, you can talk through the changes you have observed, organise your concerns and prepare questions for the appropriate professionals involved in the person's care.
AgeWell Nursing provides education and nursing guidance. It does not diagnose delirium, identify its underlying cause or provide physical assessment or emergency care.
Delirium Requires Appropriate Medical Assessment.
Sudden changes should be assessed
A sudden change in an older person's mental state can have a number of possible causes. It is important that the person is assessed by an appropriate healthcare professional rather than assuming the change is simply part of ageing.
Where AgeWell can help
AgeWell Nursing can provide education about delirium and help families organise their observations and questions, but an online AgeWell consultation is not a substitute for medical assessment.
Concerned about a sudden change?
If an older person develops sudden confusion or a significant change in their mental state, seek advice from an appropriate healthcare professional. If the person is seriously unwell or there is an immediate medical emergency, call 112 or 999.
A lifetime of experience, offered with warmth and honesty.
Caroline Broderick is a registered nurse with more than 25 years of experience in gerontology and older-person care across acute hospitals, community services and nursing homes.
She combines practical nursing insight with advanced education, including an MSc in Gerontological Care and experience as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Older Person’s Care.
Important clinical information
AgeWell provides nursing guidance and education. It does not replace emergency services, your GP, hospital team or treating healthcare professionals. AgeWell does not provide physical assessments or diagnose medical conditions.
What To Expect From Your Consultation.
A private online consultation gives you dedicated time to talk through the changes you have noticed, organise your concerns and prepare questions about delirium and an older person's changing mental state.
30-minute consultation
Dedicated time to discuss the changes, concerns and questions you have about delirium and what you have noticed in an older person.
Available across Ireland
Consultations are available online to older people, families and those supporting an older person throughout Ireland.
Meet privately online
Your consultation takes place privately by Zoom or Microsoft Teams, so you can join from wherever suits you.
Who can book
An older person can book for themselves, or a family member or someone supporting an older person can arrange a consultation.
Bring what you have noticed
No formal preparation is required. Bring the changes you have observed, your concerns and any questions you would like help organising.
Education and guidance
The consultation provides nursing education and guidance about delirium. It does not diagnose delirium, determine its underlying cause or provide a physical assessment.
A sudden change in mental state requires appropriate medical assessment.
An AgeWell consultation is not a substitute for medical assessment. If an older person develops sudden confusion or a significant change in their mental state, seek advice from an appropriate healthcare professional. If the person is seriously unwell or there is an immediate medical emergency, call 112 or 999.
You do not have to navigate this alone.
Bring your questions, concerns and what has changed. Caroline will help you organise the situation and understand what to do next.
Important clinical information
AgeWell provides nursing guidance and education. It does not replace emergency services, your GP, hospital team or treating healthcare professionals. AgeWell does not provide physical assessments or diagnose medical conditions.