Confusion
Confusion is a change in a person’s ability to think clearly. There may be trouble recognizing familiar people and places or knowing what day it is. Memory, judgment, and decision-making may also be affected. In severe cases, the person may have limited or no response to being spoken to.
Confusion is usually a sign of an underlying problem. It may occur suddenly or it may develop gradually over time. Causes of confusion include brain injury, medicines, alcohol, withdrawal from certain medicines or illegal drugs, and infection. Heart attack and stroke may cause it. Confusion can also be a sign of dementia or a mental illness.
Treatment will depend on the cause of the problem. If the issue is a medicine, stopping the medicine may help. The healthcare provider will perform an evaluation and certain tests may be done. Follow up with the healthcare provider for the results.
Home care
- Be sure someone is with the confused person at all times. He or she should not be left alone or unsupervised.
- Tell the healthcare provider about all medicines that the person takes. These include prescription, over-the-counter, herbs, and supplements.
- Dehydration can increase confusion. Ask the healthcare provider how much fluid the person should be drinking. Offer liquids and ensure that they are taken.
- Keep all medicines in a secure place under the caregiver’s control. To prevent overdose, a confused person should take medicines only under the supervision of a caregiver.
- To help a person with confusion:
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- Establish a daily routine. Change can be a source of stress for someone with confusion. Make and keep a time schedule for common tasks such as bathing, dressing, taking medicines, meals, going for walks, shopping, naps and bed time.
- Speak slowly and clearly with a gentle tone of voice. Use short simple words and sentences. Ask one question at a time. Do not interrupt, criticize or argue. Be calm and supportive. Use friendly facial expressions. Use pointing and touching to help communicate. If there has been loss of long-term memory, do not ask questions about past events. This would only cause frustration for the person.
- Use lists, signs, family photos, clocks and calendars as memory aids. Label cabinets and drawers. Try to distract, not confront, the patient. When he/she becomes frustrated or upset, redirect his/her attention to eating or some other activity of interest.
- If this proves to be due to a permanent condition, talk to the healthcare provider or a lawyer about getting a Power of Attorney for healthcare and for financial decisions. It is best to do this while the person can still sign legal documents and make his or her own decisions. Otherwise, a court order will be required.
Follow-up care
Follow up with the person's healthcare provider or as advised for further testing or changes in medical care.
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When to seek emergency care or call 911
Seek emergency healthcare or call 911 for any of the following:
- Frequent falling
- Refusal to eat or drink
- Violent behavior or behavior too difficult to manage at home
- New hallucinations or delusions
- Increased drowsiness
- Complaints of headache or numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg
- Nausea or vomiting
- Slurred speech or trouble speaking, walking, or seeing
- Fainting spell, dizziness or seizure
- Unexplained fever over 100.4º F (38.0º C) or as directed by the healthcare provider
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