Information
Delirium is a sudden change in the way someone thinks, feels and acts, lasting for a short period of time.
Behaviour that is different from the person's usual self.
Delirium identification questionnaire for you or your family.
It is important to look after yourself, so you can give better support to those who need it.
You can prepare ahead for a hospital stay or visit if someone is at risk of delirium.
You should be given an individualised care plan when you leave hospital.
For more information on delirium and how to care for someone with delirium.
How is delirium different to dementia?
Remember, the information used for this website does NOT replace medical advice. All information is educational and comes from the following evidence-based resources:
How do I know if I can trust this information?
Aggar C, Craswell A, Bail K, et al. (2024) A Toolkit for Delirium Identification and Promoting Partnerships Between Carers and Nurses: A Pilot Pre–Post Feasibility Study. J Gen Intern Med. DOI:1007/s11606-024-08734-6
Aggar C, Craswell A, Bail K, et al. (2023) Partnering with carers in the management of delirium in general acute care settings: An integrative review. Australas J Ageing. 42(4), 638-648. doi:10.1111/ajag.13229
Aggar C, Craswell A, Bail K, et al., (2022). Prevention and management of delirium in older Australians: The need for the integration of carers as partners in care. The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific, 27, 100598. doi.org/10.1016/j.lanwpc.2022.100598
Lindroth H, Bratzke L, Twadell S, et al. (2019) Predicting postoperative delirium severity in older adults: The role of surgical risk and executive function. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 34, 1018–1028. https://doi.org/10.1002/gps.5104
Lindroth H, Liu K, Szalacha L, et al. (2024) World delirium awareness and quality survey in 2023—a worldwide point prevalence study, Age and Ageing. 53(11), afae248, https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afae248
Nagel, T., Apuatimi, A., Fitz, J. (2007). Delirium. Darwin: Menzies School of Health Research https://www.menzies.edu.au/icms_docs/161599_Delirium.pdf
Sikandar H. Khan, Chenjia Xu, Russell Purpura, et al. (2020) Decreasing Delirium Through Music: A Randomized Pilot Trial. Am J Crit Care 29 (2): e31–e38. doi: https://doi.org/10.4037/ajcc2020175
Clearer Days Delirium Support
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The information on this website is educational only and not medical advice.
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Acknowledgement of Country
Clearer Days Delirium Support acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands around Australia where it was developed and pay our respects to Elders past and present.