Find Senior Care (City or Zip)
Join Now Log In
L
ll4477 Asked July 20, 2025

Who has dealt with hospital delirium?

My dad (84) suffered from two strokes last Fall. He's made a fairly good recovery, but still has some cognitive challenges (which at this point we expect may be permanent). He fell last Friday and hit his head. Hard. He had a minor brain bleed, so the hospital wanted to keep him for a few days for observation. He was doing really well - a bit lethargic, but engaging in conversations, eating well, watching his favorite TV shows, walking around the whole hospital floor with the PT, then on the day of discharge he had a sudden onset of delirium. He's essentially been in what seems like a deep sleep now for 3.5 days. We can't rouse him. Repeat CT, MRI, chest X-rays, bloodwork, urinalysis all clear. Re-evaluated his meds. Evaluated for seizure activity. In short, we can't find an underlying cause. Has anyone dealt with this and any advice on what has worked to re-orient them? He's so weak and small - I can't imagine he can go on for much longer in this state :( We're trying to bring things he's familiar with, play familiar music, talk to him to let him know he's safe and cared for, etc. My cousin who works in palliative said we could try to bring him home (we'd have to hire an ambulance transport), but I don't think any of us are equipped to provide the level of care he needs...

ll4477 Jul 20, 2025
I should have specified that the diagnosis is specifically hypo delirium, which presents differently from what’s more commonly seen (hyper delirium). Hypo is associated with excessive sleepiness and inability to arouse. But yes, I am considering next steps for quality of life with hospice, etc. Unfortunately he has designated both his partner and I as his designated decision makers, and we have very different ideas about end of life care, but I will fight her tooth and nail is she tries to put in a feeding tube at this point!
AlvaDeer Jul 20, 2025
Wow, what a classic mistake. To make two people co-equal POA when they disagree and you haven't made clear by advance directive what you wish for. It is serving here as a warning to ALL.
Daughterof1930 Jul 20, 2025
My dad had hospital delirium several times, caused by the interruption in normal routine, sleep cycle, and the constant light 24 hours a day. This quickly resolved after requesting no unnecessary interruptions overnight, a darkened room with the door closed at night, and more walking/regular activity during the day. What you’re describing sounds a lot like what my mom did after her hemorrhagic stroke, when she slept a deep sleep, with us unable to rouse her for three weeks. When she finally awoke the damage was immense. She spent four years in nursing home care unable to do anything physically at all. I understand the tests are clear, but I’d really wonder about an undetected stroke. In any case, this is too much for a home setting. I’m sorry you’re in such a hard place with your dad and wish you all rest and peace

ADVERTISEMENT


funkygrandma59 Jul 20, 2025
What you are describing is not at all hospital delirium, but sounds like it's all linked to your dads brain bleed, and perhaps his demise, which falls can often lead to.
I'm with Alva below in now bringing hospice on board so your dad can live out his days in peace and comfort.
And you can have hospice care at home if you so choose, but perhaps it's best to have your dad live out his days in either a hospice home or nursing facility.
I'm sorry that you're having to go through this with your dad.

AlvaDeer Jul 20, 2025
Has to MPOA and family discussed Hospice for your father.
This doesn't, I don't THINK have a whole lot to do with hospital delirium which presents as violent acting out and marked confusion. This is sounding like failure to thrive. Surely the family now has some idea what Dad would have wanted if he is in end of life stages, because someone is going to come at you with tube feeding decisions soon. That will prolong life at the cost of possible aspiration pneumonia, beds sores, sepsis and eventual a torment of a death.

Family should get together with MPOA and decide who will act for Dad now he is unable to act for himself.

I wish you the best.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ask a Question

Subscribe to
Our Newsletter