Researchers Identify Criteria for Identifying Seniors at Risk of Delirium

Scientists at the University of California-San Francisco have identified a new delirium detection tool that could help identify at-risk seniors as well as reduce hospital-to-nursing home transfers.

The tool uses the following four criteria for identifying at-risk seniors:

• Age 80 or older
• Inability to spell the word "world" backward 
• Confusion about where they are
• Suffering from moderate to severe illness

According to the researchers, 19 percent of the studied seniors who met three of four of the criteria became delirious, compared to 4 percent of patients with none. Delirious individuals are more likely to go straight from a hospital to a nursing home. 

The researchers note that if doctors are able to determine which patients are at risk of delirium, they can take steps to keep those people mentally sharp. 

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