If you encounter someone who is wandering, be aware that they may be frightened, unable to communicate properly, and may have health problems that affect their understanding and their movement. It is important to calm them down and show them they can trust you. Introduce yourself, offer help and talk to them respectfully.
Try to understand their reason for wandering and see if you can contact family members or friends. Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content. Read more on Dementia Australia website. How can we best understand dementia? Dementia causes a set of problems that are related to each other.
These include memory loss, trouble communicating, confusion and difficulty with walking around. There might be difficulty with recognising people they know, even if they are close friends and family members. Read more on Sleep Health Foundation website. Dementia affects each person differently. However symptoms such as confusion, memory loss and disorientation are usually present, and problems with mobility and co-ordination may also affect safety.
It is important that family, carers, friends and health professionals assist the person with dementia to feel and be as secure as possible. This brochure provides information for people who are at risk of, or have experienced delirium, and for their families and carers.
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease CJD is a rare degenerative disease that affects brain tissue in humans. Read more on Queensland Health website. Helping someone at the early stages of losing capacity Many of the people who are losing capacity have mild cognitive impairment or are in the early stage of dementia.
The person losing capacity may not be aware of this happening to them. They may be confused, resentful or angry about this being suggested. Alternatively, they could be aware of it happening and respond with a range of emotions — such as acceptance, depression, confusion, anger or grief. You have answered all the questions.
Based on your answers, you may be able to take care of this problem at home. For men and women, the most common symptom is chest pain or pressure. But women are somewhat more likely than men to have other symptoms, like shortness of breath, nausea, and back or jaw pain.
Based on your answers, you may need care right away. The problem is likely to get worse without medical care. Based on your answers, you may need care soon.
The problem probably will not get better without medical care. Sometimes people don't want to call They may think that their symptoms aren't serious or that they can just get someone else to drive them. Or they might be concerned about the cost. But based on your answers, the safest and quickest way for you to get the care you need is to call for medical transport to the hospital.
After you call , the operator may tell you to chew 1 adult-strength mg or 2 to 4 low-dose 81 mg aspirin. Wait for an ambulance. Do not try to drive yourself. As you age, it is normal to experience some memory lapses. Usually, an occasional memory lapse does not mean you have a serious problem.
Try these steps to help improve your memory:. Ginkgo biloba is a popular herbal treatment for memory problems. But studies have not shown that ginkgo biloba helps improve memory or prevent dementia. Living with a family member who has a decline in memory, problem-solving ability, learning ability, or judgment dementia is hard.
To ensure your family member's health and safety , give him or her short instructions when teaching a new task. Break the task down into simple steps.
You may find it helpful to give the person written instructions. Call your doctor if any of the following occur during home treatment:. You can sometimes reduce the impact of age-related memory problems. The saying "use it or lose it" applies to your memory. Your best defense against a memory problem is to stay healthy and fit.
To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment. You can help your doctor diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared to answer the following questions:. Blahd Jr. Author: Healthwise Staff. Medical Review: William H. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.
Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise.
Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Updated visitor guidelines. Confusion, Memory Loss, and Altered Alertness. Topic Overview It is not unusual to occasionally forget where you put your keys or glasses, where you parked your car, or the name of an acquaintance.
Dementia is a slow decline in memory, problem-solving ability, learning ability, and judgment that may occur over several weeks to several months. Many health conditions can cause dementia or symptoms similar to dementia. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia in people older than age Delirium is a sudden change in how well a person's brain is working mental status.
Delirium can cause confusion, change the sleep-wake cycles, and cause unusual behavior. Delirium can have many causes, such as withdrawal from alcohol or drugs or medicines, or the development or worsening of an infection or other health problem. Amnesia is memory loss that may be caused by a head injury, a stroke, substance abuse, or a severe emotional event, such as from combat or a motor vehicle accident.
Depending upon the cause, amnesia may be either temporary or permanent. Health problems that can cause confusion or decreased alertness include: Infections, such as a urinary tract infection , respiratory infection , or sepsis.
Alzheimer's disease. Asthma or COPD , which cause a decrease in the amount of oxygen or an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide in the blood. Cardiac problems, such as heart failure , coronary artery disease , or irregular heartbeats arrhythmias , that reduce blood flow. Problems from diabetes.
Kidney or liver failure , which causes high levels of toxins to build up in the blood. Malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies caused by health problems, such as alcohol use disorder Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.
Mental health problems, such as depression or schizophrenia. Thyroid problems, such as hypothyroidism , myxedema coma , or hyperthyroidism. These problems may develop from: Taking too much of a medicine overmedicating or taking medicines that may interact with each other. Overuse of medicines may be the single biggest cause of memory loss or confusion in older adults.
Alcohol and medicine interactions. This is a problem, especially for older adults, who may take many medicines at the same time. Misusing a medicine or alcohol use disorder. Drug intoxication or the effects of withdrawal. Other causes of confusion or decreased alertness can include: A head injury. Decreased or blocked blood flow to the brain. This may occur during a transient ischemic attack TIA or a stroke. Infection, such as a brain abscess, encephalitis , meningitis , or sepsis.
Sexually transmitted infections , such as syphilis late-stage and human immunodeficiency virus HIV. A seizure disorder epilepsy.
Brain tumors. Conditions in the environment that can cause changes in the level of consciousness include: Cold temperature exposure, leading to hypothermia. High temperature exposure, leading to heatstroke. This especially affects older adults when their environment and routines are changed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap Bradley's Neurology in Clinical Practice. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap 4. Updated by: Amit M. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Editorial team.
Confusion is more common in the older people and often occurs during a hospital stay. Some confused people may have strange or unusual behavior or may act aggressively. Confusion may be caused by different health problems, such as: Alcohol or drug intoxication Brain tumor Head trauma or head injury concussion Fever Fluid and electrolyte imbalance Illness in an older person, such as loss of brain function dementia Illness in a person with existing neurological disease, such as a stroke Infections Lack of sleep sleep deprivation Low blood sugar Low levels of oxygen for example, from chronic lung disorders Medicines Nutritional deficiencies, especially niacin , thiamine , or vitamin B12 Seizures Sudden drop in body temperature hypothermia.
If the person does not usually have confusion, call a health care provider. To help a confused person: Always introduce yourself, no matter how well the person once knew you. Age is a significant risk factor for confusion. Age is also the most significant risk factor for dementia, as well as for mild cognitive impairment.
Mild cognitive impairment is associated with age-related memory and thinking problems. These are more severe than those that occur with regular aging, and in some people, mild cognitive impairment precedes dementia. Some examples include :.
Also, some people develop confusion after taking antibiotics , antidepressants , or any of a wide range of medications. Many people develop confusion after surgery, particularly as the anesthetic is just beginning to wear off. Also, pain, pain medication, and unfamiliar surroundings after surgery can contribute to confusion.
Numerous chronic illnesses can cause confusion, especially when they progress to damage organs, including the brain. People with sensory problems , such as trouble hearing or seeing, may be more prone to confusion, particularly in new settings.
This, too, is more common among older people. A person who does not have access to their usual assistive devices is even more vulnerable to confusion, such as when an older person leaves their hearing aids at home before going to the hospital.
Some people develop confusion in unfamiliar settings, particularly during periods of intense stress. People with other risk factors for confusion, such as dementia, are more likely to experience this issue in unfamiliar places, without the memory cues and references points that they usually rely on. Any health problem that affects the brain can cause confusion.
Dementia is one of the most common causes of delirium, or confusion, in older people, but delirium does not mean that a person has dementia. Virtually any health condition can trigger confusion, especially in people with risk factors.
Some other potential causes of confusion include:. Older people have a higher risk of developing delirium — a sudden onset of confusion. Anyone who experiences this should receive urgent medical care. Research suggests that older adults with delirium and other health issues have a less favorable outlook, overall.
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