Seizures and the elderly

The care of elderly patients with seizure disorders in the critical care unit is an important nursing challenge. The potential that a seizure is an isolated event or one that will require lifelong treatment must be expected. The critical care nurse is in a unique position to help the patient and his or her family as they begin to grapple with the important changes the seizure may bring. The critical care nurse also can assist in the transition from the acute setting to the less acute setting in which the patient and the family will be assisted in developing plans for long-term management of this serious situation.