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17: Cognitive Impairment in the Older Adult

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DOI:

10.1891/9780826194053.0017

Abstract

This chapter presents five case studies on acute confusion, early dementia, late stage dementia, wandering/need for movement, agitation and aggression. Delirium is common in hospitalized, older adults. An evidence-based guideline for recognizing, preventing, and treating delirium has been created through the Hartford Institute for geriatric nursing. The confusion assessment method is a valid and reliable tool for assessing delirium. There are some examples of providing a therapeutic and safe environment for an institutionalized individual with Alzheimer’s disease. Modifying the decor of the home environment may help the person with dementia stop wandering and going home. Individuals with dementia seem to wander often during the night. The guiding principles of the progressively lowered stress threshold (PLST) model were developed to allow caregivers of persons with dementia to provide timely and appropriate interventions for agitated and aggressive behaviors.