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What Families can do to Minimize Acute Confusion in the Elderly

Altered sensory

• Allow the elder to use sensory aids, as possible perception (glasses, hearing aids, for example).

• Speak slowly, clearly, and loudly enough to be heard, but in a low-pitched tone.

• Provide adequate lighting.

• Attend to the possibility of hypothermia.

• Reduce noise and other environmental stimuli.

• Review medications thoroughly with physicians.

• Use additional medications cautiously, especially narcotics.

Isolation

• Encourage family involvement.

• Provide clock and calendar for reorientation to time and place.

Loss of autonomy

• Minimize environmental changes of elders who are not confused.

• Promote independence in decision making.

• Encourage the resumption of normal daily activities as soon as possible.

Provide adequate hydration

• Pay close attention to intake and output trends.

• Encourage fluids.

Modified information provided courtesy of the American Journal of Nursing

Drug Classification	Generic and Trade Names
Anticonvulsants	phenytoin (Dilantin and others) gabapentin (Neurontin) topiramate (Topamax)
Antidepressants (tricyclic)	amitriptyline (Elavil and others) doxepin (Sinequan) imipramine (Tofranil and others)
Antiemetics	prochlorperazine (Compazine) promethazine (Phenergan)
Antihistamines	diphenhydramine (Benadryl) tiydraxyzine (Atarax and others)
Antipsychotics	chlorpromazine (Thorazine and others)
Benzodiazepines	lorazepam (Ativan) diazepam (Valium) midazolam
Narcotics	morphine (MS Contin and others) meperidine (Demerol) hydromorphone (Dilaudid) fentanyl (Sublimaze)
Sedative-hypnotics	zolpidem (Ambien) temazepam (Restoril)
Others	digoxin (Lanoxin) nifedipine (Procardia and others) prednisone (Deltasone) cimetidine (Tagamet) rantidine (Zantac)

Information provided courtesy of the American Journal of Nursing

*CNS = central nervous system

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