Delirium is one of the most common hazards for older adults during hospitalization. The most common reasons for this include serious illness, exposure to new medications, disruption of normal routines and sleep disturbance (Parentgiving, n.d.). New medications can have an adverse effect on anybody but older adults tend to be more sensitive to the effects of the medications. It is usually a family member that will notice the change before anybody else. If a family member is present and is able to let the doctor know the patient is not acting right then they may be able to help them faster.
Another reason is when they are in the hospital for a long period of time their sense of time and where they are become altered. It is important for the staff as well as family members to orient them to time and place daily. Have a calendar on the wall they can look at and see what day and month it is. Another huge issue that older adults can develop is bed sores. If the patient is unable to move themselves around they will develop pressure sores. It is extremely important for the staff to set a clock or timer to make sure and turn this patient on a schedule. If the family is there they can assist or help the staff to remember to turn the patient.
When I worked on med surg we had these little clocks on the wall with a turn schedule as which side the patient needed to be turned to. It was a very helpful reminder and we also made sure to chart the position changes so that the healthcare team could see that it was done. As always one of the biggest problems with being in the hospital for anybody but especially older adults is hospital acquired infections.
The answer to this one is so simple, everybody needs to wash their hands and make sure to wear the proper personal protection equipment. If the patient is unable to get up to wash their hands the staff can give them a bottle of sanitizer to keep on their tray. Also, any staff members or family members coming in the room should be properly washing their hands to prevent the spread of germs. Reference Older patients: At risk in the Hospital. Older Patients: Common Risks for Seniors in the Hospital. (n.d.). Retrieved January 13, 2022, from https://www.parentgiving.com/elder-care/older-patients-at-risk-in-the-hospital/