Delirium is a mental change when people have problems focusing. It is a cognition and attention disorder, so more issues may occur. People are usually not aware of it, but in certain cases, they may completely understand what is happening to them. This whole situation can be quite stressful, however, it is even more stressful for their families. In the following paragraphs, learn what the common signs are and how to protect your parent from delirium.
Signs and Symptoms
Apart from attention issues, seniors with delirium may be paranoid, talk without much sense, and even hallucinate. Seniors over the age of 70 are especially prone to develop this condition due to several reasons. Seniors usually have sleeping problems, use medications for a longer period of time, have many health issues, are prone to dehydration, are unable to move, etc. All these factors contribute to the higher risk of delirium along with visual and hearing impairment.
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Protect Your Parent From Delirium
First and foremost, talk to them. This will help you to realize whether they are showing signs of delirium. Let them tell you a story from some years ago and see if everything fits together. Also, you can encourage them to increase the amount of fluids they intake, as this will keep them hydrated.
If they cannot exercise, encourage them to walk as much as possible. Some elderly adults will be stuck in bed, unable to tell the difference between night and day or even recognize people sometimes. Thus, encourage them to exercise even a little bit. There are plenty of exercises for seniors, but even small movements could help. Having hearing aids is also crucial. If they don’t hear well, this will help them to easily communicate with the environment.
These are only some of the ways you can protect your loved ones from delirium. Have these tips in mind and don’t forget to react on time.
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