Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Assessment of Dependence in Activities of Daily Living Among Older Patients in an Acute Care Unit
Published on: September 30, 2020
Delirium in hospitalised older persons: review
B Alvarez Fernandez1, F Formiga, R Gomez
1Unidad de Geriatria, Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario Carlos Haya, Malaga, Spain. balvarez@geriatrianet.com
Abstract:
Delirium, a mental disorder that becomes established over a few hours or days, is characterised by fluctuating attention and cognitive states. This article reviews the disorder, which has all the features of an important geriatric syndrome: it appears mainly in persons older than 65 years of age, is closely linked with very prevalent diseases and complications arising in the elderly, and is the mode of presentation of many other diseases in this age group. We discuss diagnostic, clinical preventive and therapeutic aspects and analyse the most common risk and precipitating factors in our hospitalised patients from the viewpoint of clinical practice. Finally, we propose a scheme for the prevention and treatment of delirium.
Related Concept Videos
Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients
Pharmacodynamics in Geriatric Patients: Effects of Age
Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction
Dementia l: Introduction
Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Excretion
Dementia
The progression of dementia is generally gradual.