Table 1 Intervention to detect and prevent delirium among discharged home-dwelling older adults after hospitalization or acute illness
Phase | Timing (Estimated duration) | Domain | Description of activity |
|---|---|---|---|
Phase I | ASSESSMENT OF CLINICAL STATE AND DELIRIUM RISK FACTORS | ||
Start of the intervention (15 mins) | Assessment | • Symptoms/signs of delirium • ADL/IADL performance • Biological parameters • Comprehension among informal caregivers | |
Detection | • Prodromal symptoms • New delirium risk factors | ||
Phase II | PATIENT-CENTERED INTERVENTION | ||
Subsequent to assessment of clinical state and delirium risk factors (30 to 40 mins) | Monitoring | • Cognitive impairment • Sensorial impairment • Constipation/diarrhea • Obesity/sarcopenia • Infection • Polymedication • Sleep-wake cycle • Mobility impairment, fall risk • Pain • Debilitating comorbidities | |
Care | • Verify support for ADL/IADL • Verify nursing care activities such as catheter care, wound-dressing, medication preparation • Verify effectiveness of pain management • Verify care needed by informal caregivers | ||
Support | • Physical • Cognitive • Psychological and emotional • Spiritual • Organized support for informal caregivers | ||
Education | • Delirium • Healthy aging • Prevention of skin, urinary, and pulmonary infections • Fall prevention • Adherence to medication therapy • Prevention of excessive alcohol consumption and use of over the counter medication • Therapeutic education on healthy aging to informal caregivers | ||
RECOMMENDATIONS | |||
End of intervention (5 mins) | Individualized healthy aging strategies | • Preventing physical discomfort • Mobility, nutrition, and hydration strategies • Cognitive stimulation strategies | |