As part of Dementia Action Week, Dementia United hosted a delirium online training for carers and family members delivered alongside carers with lived experience. The training was a great success, with over 75 carers attending.
Excellent session, thank you. I wish I’d known about delirium when my husband was admitted via A&E […] If and when it happens again I feel much more prepared.
What is delirium?
Delirium is a condition which causes a short-term confused state and develops over hours and days. It causes short term problems with memory, concentration, attention and personality. It occurs when a person is medically unwell and can be caused by several things, such as infections, pain or constipation. People living with dementia are more likely to experience delirium. People may go on to develop delirium, whether they are in hospital, in a care home or living at home.
Delirium training
The session was developed and delivered alongside real carers with lived experience of delirium and included real life stories and examples. The training covered the following topics:
- What is delirium?
- Preventing delirium
- Spotting the signs of delirium and identifying the causes
- Getting help
Thank you for a really interesting session, and from people’s personal experiences too.
You can download the slides from the session here:
- Delirium carers training slides Part 1
- Delirium carers training slides Part 2
- Delirium carers training slides Part 3
So glad I joined, brilliant information and advice.
A lot of very helpful information. I will be sharing what I’ve learnt with other at the dementia groups I go to.
The training was based around our printable delirium top tips for carers and family members guide. This gives advice for delirium prevention, identifying the signs and getting help for a loved one with delirium.
We also have a short film starring people with lived experience of delirium talking about the importance of knowing what delirium is and why it is so important to act on it.
Other delirium resources you may find helpful:
- Our website has a hearing from people with lived experience page, including examples (videos, stories) from people who have experienced delirium.
- We have a downloadable document with a list of available delirium training resources. Some are specifically for health & social care staff, but others are for family members and carers too.
- Our delirium and hydration awareness posters Delirium and Hydration Awareness Poster public facing September 2023 and Delirium and Hydration Awareness Poster for staff September 2023 and our Delirium and Hydration Awareness Leaflet public facing September 2023 encourage hydration and educate people on the link between dehydration and delirium.