Recognizing Delirium: A Checklist for Caregivers

Delirium is a sudden change in a person’s mental state that comes and goes over short periods of time. It can cause a person to have a hard time paying attention or following a conversation. Thinking and speech may be confused, illogical, unclear and unpredictable. A person’s mental state may vary from being restless and alert to sluggish and sleepy.

Delirium can sometimes be mistaken for dementia. Often, the two conditions occur together. Delirium happens quickly over a short time, such as hours or days. Dementia happens more slowly, over months or years.

Delirium is a medical emergency. If delirium is not diagnosed and treated, it can lead to permanent problems or even death

A checklist of delirium signs

Below is a checklist of the signs of delirium. It is important to remember that the signs of delirium happen quickly, over the course of hours or days. They can come and go, and may be worse later in the day. A person may shift between the signs.

Does the person:

 Seem acutely more sleepy and quiet than usual, or more restless and disturbed?

 Seem suddenly confused or disoriented?

 Act in a violent way?

 Have trouble paying attention and focusing on a conversation?

 See things that others cannot see?

 Hear things that others cannot hear?

 Believe things that are not known to be true?

 Think that people want to harm them?

 Change the subject too often while talking?

 Talk about things that others find strange?

 Have anxiety, be sad or tearful, or have intense feelings of joy and excitement (euphoria) that changes rapidly?

 Seem unsteady while walking and not a result of a prior health condition?

 Have a hard time focusing on simple tasks?

If you have answered yes to any of the signs above, your loved one may have delirium.