Why I'm Welcoming World Delirium Day 2017
- 15.03.2017
- HannahBottomley
- Clinical-negligence, Opinion, Clinical-negligence, Opinion
I often comment on news articles and campaigns targeting different medical conditions and illness but only a few campaigns deal with such a specific age related condition as delirium. In fact, despite working in this field for more than 10 years, I have rarely come across this condition and am therefore welcoming world delirium day as a way of increasing my own knowledge and understanding of a condition which is classified as a medical emergency.
I understand that delirium presents itself as sudden on-set confusion, disorganised thinking and is sometimes associated with “wobbly” mobility. However, I wonder if I would know the difference between an elderly person with dementia and one with delirium?
I have learnt today however that knowing the difference could save someone’s life as whilst dementia is a terrible disease, it is often slow progressing and does not require urgent attention. Delirium, in contrast, is a medical emergency as it can be the first sign of a serious and significant medical condition or illness.
I hope world delirium day helps to spread this important message and am embracing this new knowledge.