Delirium superimposed on dementia is pervasive and associated with restraint use among older adults residing in long-term care
- School of Nursing, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
- Correspondence to Donna Marie Fick
School of Nursing, The Pennsylvania State University, 201 HHDE, University Park, PA 16802, USA; dmf21{at}psu.edu
Implications for practice and research
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■ Delirium is common in long-term care and was associated with physical restraint use in this study, which may worsen mental status and increase falls.
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■ Nurses should carefully consider the trigger for behaviours that lead to the use of restraints (untreated delirium, pain or misinterpretation of stimuli) and attempt to manage these behaviours without chemical or physical restraints.
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■ More research is needed to better measure environmental factors associated with delirium superimposed on dementia (DSD).
Context
Delirium occurs frequently in older adults and leads to poor outcomes including increased death, higher costs and increased nursing care.1 2 Delirium is reversible, preventable and treatable when recognised early. Risk factors identified previously for delirium in acute …
