Education, hospital staff and the confused older patient

Abstract

The true prevalence of confusion due to both cognitive impairment and physical illness amongst older hospital inpatients is unknown; however rates of dementia are estimated to be as high as 40% and delirium 61% [1]. Despite encountering older people with confusion on a daily basis, general hospital clinical staff are continually challenged by such patients [2]. Unfortunately, all too often, the relationship between staff and patients becomes more custodial than therapeutic [3]. Advances in understanding the personhood of the older ill hold much promise in helping clinical staff meet these challenges [4]. However, training may fail to bring about the change in staff behaviour that ultimately may improve patient care.