National Guidelines for Seniors' Mental Health: The Assessment and Treatment of Delirium
Background of Issue:
Delirium is a common and serious condition encountered in older persons. This guideline deals primarily with its prevention and acute management, but it is important to note that delirium has long-term consequences. Compared to similarly aged individuals, older hospitalized persons who are delirious have a worse prognosis. They have prolonged lengths of hospital stay, worse functional outcomes, higher institutionalization rates, increased risk for cognitive decline and higher mortality rates (Leentjens & van der Mast, 2005; Rockwood, 2001). In many cases, delirium is not recognized or is misdiagnosed as another condition such as dementia or depression. The occurrence of delirium is not inevitable.
You can download a copy of the Assessment and Treatment of Delirium Guideline at no charge.
Learn more about how the Assessment and Treatment of Delirium guideline is being implemented throughout Canada in a variety of innovative pilot projects.
The Delirium Guideline Development Group included the following members:
| NAME | ROLE | DISCIPLINE |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. David Hogan | Co-chair | Geriatrician |
| Dr. Laura Gage | Co-chair | Psychiatry |
| Dr. Venera Bruto | Group Member | Neuropsychology |
| Deborah Burne | Group Member | Nursing |
| Dr. Peter Chan | Group Member | Psychiatry |
| Dr. Cheryl Sadowski | Group Member | Pharmacy |
| Dr. Martin Cole | Consultant | Psychiatry |
| Dr. Susan Freter | Consultant | Geriatrician |
| Mary McDiarmid | Consultant | Library Services |
| Dr. Jane McKusker | Consultant | Epidemiology |
| Simone Powell | Consultant | Policy Analyst |
| Esther Roberts | Consultant | Caregiver |
| Dr. Ken Rockwood | Consultant | Geriatric Med |