Delirium in the Elderly

This book provides a comprehensive, scholarly, and practical account of delirium for all doctors involved in the care of the elderly. Delirium is defined as an acute or subacute non-specific response of the brain to a wide variety of physical and psychological causes that are nearly always treatable. However, problems arise if the underlying trauma is not identified and corrected, or if the delirious state itself is badly managed or misdiagnosed. In some cases, elderly people may be rendered delirious by their own doctors through haphazard prescribing, inappropriate admission to the hospital, or as a result of surgery. Since our population is aging, the proper identification, assessment, management, and prevention of delirium is essential for the efficient use of health resources. This book will be an invaluable sourcebook for psychologists, gerontologists, psychiatrists, and physicians.