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In many cases, supportive care is the only treatment for delirium in the dying. Dr. William Breitbart (1993) recommends measures to address fluid and electrolyte balance, nutrition, vitamins, methods to reduce anxiety, disorientation, and education for family members. Patient anxiety may be lessened by creating a stable and secure environment - keeping patients at home, or surrounding those who are hospitalized with familiar objects.
Caregivers may become very alarmed when their loved ones become delirious. Patients with delirium may present a safety risk to themselves and others. Treating delirium requires several interventions, including supporting and reassuring patients and families. The patient may need to be moved to a safer environment. Strategies to reduce anxiety and disorientation include surrounding the patient with familiar objects, providing a clock and calendar, and encouraging family to remain present.
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This online version of the book Improving Care for the End of Life: A Sourcebook for Health Care Managers and Clinicians is provided with permission of Americans for Better Care of the Dying [ www.abcd-caring.org ] and Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For further information on quality improvement in end-of-life care visit The Palliative Care Policy Center [ www.medicaring.org ]. |
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