Whimsical approach helps fend off in-hospital delirium
Stuffed animals, yarn and coloring books might seem like whimsical items, but they can play a serious role in helping older patients experiencing in-hospital delirium, a mental impairment causing confusion brought on by hospital stays. By stocking these and other items in a “delirium cart,” team members at IU Health West Hospital make them available for patients dealing with delirium symptoms, which strike up to a third of all hospital patients age 70 and older. The cart is stocked by contributions of items and money from the community and staff.