“If this story helps even one family understand what might be happening when someone suddenly becomes confused, then it is worth telling.”
A Co Down man is encouraging people to recognise the signs and symptoms of delirium
Rodney Moore’s father, John developed the condition following a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) that caused a sudden and alarming change in his behaviour.
Rodney, from Bangor, recalls receiving a distressed phone call from his mother, Ena, one morning when his father’s behaviour suddenly changed.
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He explained: “Dad had been fairly clear the night before, but the next morning my mum phoned in a panic and said he was completely different. He was talking incoherently and seemed to have lost his frame of reference almost overnight.
“The last time Dad had those symptoms, it turned out to be a Urinary Tract Infection that had led to delirium. So when my mum rang, I told her to phone an ambulance and get him checked straight away.”
John was taken to the Ulster Hospital where he was assessed in the Emergency Department before being admitted. Rodney said it was distressing to see the sudden change in his father.
Rodney added: “You could see the frustration on his face. He was not able to hold a conversation and did not seem to recognise us. It was really difficult to witness.
“Although the infection was treated with antibiotics, the delirium took time to settle. For nearly three weeks he has no memory at all of what happened, not being in hospital, nothing.”
Rodney admitted that before this experience, he knew very little about delirium: “I had heard the word before, but did not really know what it meant. I thought the confusion was just part of the infection, but I did not realise the infection could actually cause delirium.
“That is why it is so important for people to know about it. If someone suddenly becomes very confused or starts talking nonsense, particularly an older person, it could be something like a Urinary Tract Infection causing delirium.
“If my mum rang tomorrow and said dad seemed confused again, I would have a much better idea of what might be happening. Before this, we would not have had a clue. Just having a bit of awareness means you can recognise the signs and get help quickly.”
Rodney also praised the care his father received in the Ulster Hospital: “The staff were incredibly busy, but they were very good with him. We developed a routine where we would visit for a while, give the staff space to do their jobs and then come back later. We knew he was in the right place getting the care he needed.”
South Eastern Trust, Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr Dearbhail Lewis, explained that delirium is a common but often misunderstood medical condition.
“Delirium is an acute change in a person’s mental state which can occur when someone becomes unwell. Any illness serious enough to require hospital treatment can potentially trigger delirium.
“People may become very confused, restless or agitated, while others may become unusually sleepy. They may struggle to make sense of their surroundings and sometimes believe things are happening that are not actually happening. Some patients may even see or hear things that are not there, which can be very frightening for them and their families.”
Dr Lewis said infections such as Urinary Tract Infections’ are a well-known cause of delirium, but there are many others: “Delirium can also be caused by issues such as pain, dehydration, constipation or difficulty passing urine. Identifying the cause is very important so we can treat it.
“We work to reassure patients and help them stay orientated to where they are. Treating pain, encouraging food and fluids and addressing the underlying medical cause can all help improve symptoms. In some cases, short-term medication may be used if someone is very distressed or agitated.”
While delirium can be alarming, Dr Lewis reassured families that it is usually temporary: “For most patients, delirium does resolve and they return close to their previous level of functioning, although it can take some time. For some people with existing memory problems, recovery may be slower.”
Rodney hopes sharing his father’s experience will help others recognise the warning signs sooner.
Rodney added, “If this story helps even one family understand what might be happening when someone suddenly becomes confused, then it is worth telling. A little bit of knowledge can make a big difference.”
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