Definitions
Causes and Treatments
Table
Main
|
| Feature |
Dementia |
Delirium |
| Onset |
Insidious |
Acute and often at night |
| Duration |
Months or years |
Hours or weeks |
| Alertness |
Usually normal |
Abnormally high or low |
| Attention |
Relatively unaffected |
Lacks direction or selectivity |
| Orientation |
Often impaired |
Usually impaired for a time |
| Memory |
Recent and remote |
Usually impaired for a time |
| Thinking |
Impoverished |
Disorganized |
| Perception |
Often absent |
Illusions and Hallucinations |
| Sleep-wake cycle |
Fragmented sleep |
Always impaired |
| Speech |
Difficulty finding words |
Incoherent, hesitant, slow or rapid |
References
Alzheimer Society. (2002, September). Alzheimer Disease.
http://www.alzheimer.ca/.[2002, November 21].
Fraser, Ellen (1995). Techniques and Skills for Dementia Care. Burnaby: Procare
Institute.
Rabins, P., Lyketsos, C., and Steele, C. (1999). Practical Dementia Care.
New York:Oxford.
Created by P.Stubbings R.N
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