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REFERENCES

Delirium in Older Adults: a guide for seniors and their families

WHAT IS DELIRIUM? (page 5)

• Delirium is a confusional state
  Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health. National Guidelines for Seniors' Mental Health: The Assessment and Treatment of Delirium. May 2006, page 23
• Delirium is a medical emergency
  Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health. National Guidelines for Seniors' Mental Health: The Assessment and Treatment of Delirium. May 2006, page 28
• Delirium is a common and serious condition encountered in older people
  Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health. National Guidelines for Seniors' Mental Health: The Assessment and Treatment of Delirium. May 2006, page 22
• Delirium is very common with older adults who are in the hospital
  Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health. National Guidelines for Seniors' Mental Health: The Assessment and Treatment of Delirium. May 2006, page 23
• Delirium can often be prevented.
  Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health. National Guidelines for Seniors' Mental Health: The Assessment and Treatment of Delirium. May 2006, page 25
• Delirium can be reversed with proper assessment and early treatment
  The Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) Sharon K. Inouye 2007. http://elderlife.med.yale.edu/public/delirium.php
• Delirium is usually temporary
  The Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) Sharon K. Inouye 2007. http://elderlife.med.yale.edu/public/delirium.php
• Delirium is often not recognized or is misdiagnosed
  Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health. National Guidelines for Seniors' Mental Health: The Assessment and Treatment of Delirium. May 2006, page 22

YOU ARE NOT ALONE (page 6)

• Delirium is much more common in older adults than in younger people
• Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health. National Guidelines for Seniors' Mental Health: The Assessment and Treatment of Delirium. May 2006, page 25
• Delirium in the older person: A medical emergency (DVD), Vancouver Island Health Authority.
• It happens to nearly half of those admitted to an acute care setting
  Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health. National Guidelines for Seniors' Mental Health: The Assessment and Treatment of Delirium. May 2006, page 23
• It sometimes happens after having surgery
  Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health. National Guidelines for Seniors' Mental Health: The Assessment and Treatment of Delirium. May 2006, page 23
• It is especially common after hip surgery
  Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health. National Guidelines for Seniors' Mental Health: The Assessment and Treatment of Delirium. May 2006, page 23
• A significant number of residents in nursing homes and similar settings will develop delirium at some point.
  Delirium in the older person: A medical emergency (DVD), Vancouver Island Health Authority.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF DELIRIUM? (page 7)

• Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health. National Guidelines for Seniors' Mental Health: The Assessment and Treatment of Delirium. May 2006, page 22
• Delirium in the older person: A Medical emergency / My family member is not usually like this" brochure. Vancouver Island Health Authority.
• Information for Patients and Families: Delirium (acute confusion), Alberta Health Services (formerly Capital Health Edmonton Area). July 2007, pages 2-3.

WHAT CAUSES DELIRIUM IN OLDER ADULTS? (page 8)

• Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health. National Guidelines for Seniors' Mental Health: The Assessment and Treatment of Delirium. May 2006, page 26, page 31, page 33
• Information for Patients and Families: Delirium (acute confusion), Alberta Health Services (formerly Capital Health Edmonton Area). July 2007, pages 4-6.
• Delirium in the older person: A Medical emergency / My family member is not usually like this" brochure. Vancouver Island Health Authority.
• Delirium in the older person: A medical emergency (DVD), Vancouver Island Health Authority.

HOW IS DELIRIUM DETECTED? (page 12)

• Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health. National Guidelines for Seniors' Mental Health: The Assessment and Treatment of Delirium. May 2006, page 33

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I SUSPECT MY FAMILY MEMBER HAS DELIRIUM? (page 13)

• Delirium in the older person: A Medical emergency / My family member is not usually like this" brochure. Vancouver Island Health Authority.
• Delirium in the older person: A medical emergency (DVD), Vancouver Island Health Authority.

Medical information about my family member (page 14)

• Chart adapted from “Delirium in the older person: A Medical emergency / My family member is not usually like this" brochure. Vancouver Island Health Authority.

HOW IS DELIRIUM TREATED? (page 16)

• Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health. National Guidelines for Seniors' Mental Health: The Assessment and Treatment of Delirium. May 2006, page 40
• Information for Patients and Families: Delirium (acute confusion), Alberta Health Services (formerly Capital Health Edmonton Area). July 2007, page 7.
• Delirium in the older person: A Medical emergency / My family member is not usually like this" brochure. Vancouver Island Health Authority.

What about medications? (page 17)

• Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health. National Guidelines for Seniors' Mental Health: The Assessment and Treatment of Delirium. May 2006, page 41

WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP MY FAMILY MEMBER? (page 18)

• Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health. National Guidelines for Seniors' Mental Health: The Assessment and Treatment of Delirium. May 2006, pages 37-40.
• Information for Patients and Families: Delirium (acute confusion), Alberta Health Services (formerly Capital Health Edmonton Area). July 2007, pages 8-11.
• Delirium in the older person: A Medical emergency / My family member is not usually like this" brochure. Vancouver Island Health Authority.
• Delirium in the older person: A medical emergency (DVD), Vancouver Island Health Authority.

Issue of capacity and consent (page 23)

• Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health. National Guidelines for Seniors' Mental Health: The Assessment and Treatment of Delirium. May 2006, page 47
• Information for Patients and Families: Delirium (acute confusion), Alberta Health Services (formerly Capital Health Edmonton Area). July 2007, pages 7-8.

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO WORK WITH THE HEALTH CARE TEAM? (page 24)

• Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health. National Guidelines for Seniors' Mental Health: The Assessment and Treatment of Delirium. May 2006, pages 23, 28, 32, 36, 37, 38, 40, 52
• Information for Patients and Families: Delirium (acute confusion), Alberta Health Services (formerly Capital Health Edmonton Area). July 2007, page 12.
• Delirium in the older person: A Medical emergency / My family member is not usually like this" brochure. Vancouver Island Health Authority.

WILL MY FAMILY MEMBER RECOVER FROM DELIRIUM? (page 26)

• The Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) Sharon K. Inouye 2007. http://elderlife.med.yale.edu/public/delirium.php
• Information for Patients and Families: Delirium (acute confusion), Alberta Health Services (formerly Capital Health Edmonton Area). July 2007, page 8.
• Delirium in the older person: A Medical emergency / My family member is not usually like this" brochure. Vancouver Island Health Authority.
• Delirium in the older person: A medical emergency (DVD), Vancouver Island Health Authority

[updated April 2, 2009]

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