Brain & Nervous System Alzheimer's Dementia & Related Cognitive Disorders Delirium: Higher Chance of Death and Increased Risk of Dementia By Esther Heerema, MSW Esther Heerema, MSW Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Esther Heerema, MSW, shares practical tips gained from working with hundreds of people whose lives are touched by Alzheimer's disease and other kinds of dementia. Learn about our editorial process Updated on January 27, 2020 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Nicholas R. Metrus, MD Medically reviewed by Nicholas R. Metrus, MD LinkedIn Nicholas R. Metrus, MD, is board-certified in neurology and neuro-oncology. He currently works at the Glasser Brain Tumor Center with Atlantic Health System in Summit, New Jersey. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Delirium is an acute condition that is often related to an infection, drug interactions, or withdrawal from drugs or alcohol. Symptoms of delirium include confusion, memory loss, decreased ability to communicate, a change in alertness (either restless and agitated or lethargy) and a decrease in attention. While often reversible, delirium is not something that can be casually dismissed, especially when it develops in an older adult. Portra Images Taxi / Getty Images Multiple studies have researched the effects of delirium on people. These include: According to a study published in the journal General Hospital Psychiatry, the presence of delirium for hospital patients in intensive care units is associated with longer hospital stays and a higher rate of death. Another study demonstrated that delirium is connected with a greater likelihood of long term care (nursing home) placement. A third study of more than 500 people published in the journal Brain found that the risk of developing dementia after experiencing delirium was significantly greater than for those who had not suffered from delirium. Delirium was also associated with an increase in the severity of dementia in this study. So, what can you do? Know the Risk Factors for Delirium Delirium affects approximately 33% of older adults who present to hospital emergency departments, yet some research estimates that less than half of delirium cases are recognized and treated. According to a review of several research studies, risk factors for delirium include a history of hypertension (high blood pressure), age, use of a mechanical ventilator, and a higher Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score. Be Able to Distinguish Between Delirium and Dementia Know the signs of delirium, how to distinguish between delirium and dementia, and how to recognize delirium in someone who already has dementia. Remember that someone who has dementia and is hospitalized is at risk to develop delirium. Advocate for Your Loved One If you see signs of delirium in your family member, clearly communicate to the medical staff that her behavior and level of confusion are not normal for her. They need to know that you are seeing a change from the usual. If you are able, spend additional time with your loved one at the hospital. Your familiar presence might reduce anxiety and possibly decrease the need for medications that can be used to calm people or the use of physical restraints. While there are situations where these medications are helpful and effective, they also have the potential to interact with other medications and can cause lethargy and increased confusion at times. Try Additional Non-Drug Approaches Some possible interventions to try to prevent or reduce delirium include ensuring that eyeglasses and hearing aids (if appropriate) are in place, using clocks and calendars to increase orientation, and encouraging adequate hydration and food intake. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! When it comes to Alzheimer's, the MIND diet has shown promise in reducing risk and promoting brain health. Sign up for our Alzheimer’s and Dementia Newsletter and get your free recipe guide today. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 0 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Davis DH, Muniz terrera G, Keage H, et al. Delirium is a strong risk factor for dementia in the oldest-old: a population-based cohort study. Brain. 2012;135(Pt 9):2809-16. doi:10.1093/brain/aws190 Huai J, Ye X. A meta-analysis of critically ill patients reveals several potential risk factors for delirium. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2014;36(5):488-96. Sharma A, Malhotra S, Grover S, Jindal SK. Incidence, prevalence, risk factor and outcome of delirium in intensive care unit: a study from India. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2012;34(6):639-46. doi:10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2012.06.009 The University of Arizona Medical Center. November 17, 2013. Delirium.