Mental Health Concepts

Confusion, Dementia, & Alzheimer's

Learning Objectives

1. Characteristics & Risk Factors: Understand the characteristics and risk factors associated with cognitive disorders.
2. Delirium vs. Dementia: Differentiate between delirium and dementia in terms of symptoms and progression.
3. Nursing Process: Apply nursing interventions and the nursing process specifically for clients with cognitive disorders.
4. Education & Awareness: Educate clients, families, caregivers, and the community to enhance understanding and management of cognitive disorders.

Definitions

• Confusion: State of being unclear or disoriented.
• Dementia: Chronic disorder characterized by the decline in cognitive function.
• Delirium: Acute decline in attention and cognition, often reversible.
• Alzheimer's: Progressive disease that destroys memory and other important mental functions.

Anatomy & Physiology

• Brain Functions:
  • Reasoning
  • Judgment
  • Perception
  • Attention
  • Comprehension
  • Memory
  • Confusion
  • Delirium

Delirium

Elderly & Delirium

• Causes of Delirium: Typically temporary and can be caused by various factors such as infections, medications, or dehydration.
• Examples: A patient may experience sudden confusion after surgery due to anesthesia.

Assessment & Prevention

• Assessment Tools: Various tools used to assess delirium in patients.
• Prevention: Strategies to prevent delirium, particularly in the elderly, include monitoring for contributing factors and ensuring safety.

Nursing Care for Delirium

• Safety & Supervision:
  • Assess if the client is more confused than usual.
  • Promote safety by reducing fall risks.
  • Provide supervision during activities and respond quickly to calls for assistance.
• Communication:
  • Speak in a calm, simple manner and allow time for comprehension and response.
  • Use reality orientation techniques to help clients stay grounded.
• Environment Management:
  • Minimize noise and monitor the response to visitors.
  • Validate client's anxiety without reinforcing misperceptions.
• Physical Care:
  • Monitor and assist with food and fluid intake.
  • Encourage self-care and assist with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs).
  • Promote mild exercise, such as chair yoga or walking.

Communication Strategies

• Reality Orientation: Techniques to help orient clients to time, place, and person to reduce confusion and anxiety.

Additional Concepts

• Cognition: The brain's ability to process, retain, and use information.
• Understanding & Mobility: Encouragement of physical activity and cognitive engagement to support mental health.

Note:

This outline is intended to provide a comprehensive overview of mental health concepts related to confusion, dementia, and Alzheimer's, with a focus on delirium in the elderly and the nursing care strategies to manage these conditions effectively.