Spreading The Word

Staff from Liaison Psychiatry set up information stands at Forth Valley Royal Hospital as part of a campaign to spread the word about recognizing and treating delirium. They were supporting World Delirium Day and were active in the atrium, the acute stroke ward (A22) and the integrated care ward (B21).

Delirium is sometimes referred to as ‘acute confusion’. It is a condition that can affect people of all ages but is seen most commonly in older people. It can make a person sleepier or become very agitated. They can also experience frightening hallucinations. It fluctuates so, while the person may seem back to normal, the confusion returns a short while later.

Lots of things can cause delirium; these include infections, medications and constipation. It is also a very common condition with 1 in 5 older people having it during a hospital admission.

It can be treated but, like most health problems, the earlier you diagnosis it the more likely the person will get better.

You can find more information at www.idelirium.org or

www.scottishdeliriumassociation.com

Pictured: (left to right) Tracey Gow, Margaret Anne McCafferty, Julie Reilly, Ela Hamer