CE: Acute Care for Patients with Dementia.

Am J Nurs

Mary C. Zonsius is an assistant professor in the Department of Adult Health and Gerontological Nursing and an assistant dean of evaluation at the Rush University College of Nursing, Chicago. Fawn A. Cothran is an assistant professor at the UC Davis Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing, Sacramento, CA. Joanne M. Miller is an associate professor emeritus at the Rush University College of Nursing. Contact author: Mary C. Zonsius, The authors and planners have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise. A podcast with the authors is available at www.ajnonline.com.

Published: April 2020

AI Article Synopsis

  • Dementia significantly increases hospitalization risks for adults aged 65 and older, with about 25% of hospitalized patients having dementia.
  • Patients with dementia often face higher rates of hospital-acquired complications that can worsen their health and lead to nursing home placement or death.
  • The authors emphasize the need for tailored acute care strategies for dementia patients, suggesting evidence-based approaches for nurses to implement in practice.

Article Abstract

Among adults ages 65 and older, dementia doubles the risk of hospitalization. Roughly one in four hospitalized patients has dementia, and the prevalence of dementia in the United States is rising rapidly. Patients with dementia have significantly higher rates of hospital-acquired complications, including urinary tract infections, pressure injuries, pneumonia, and delirium, which when unrecognized and untreated can accelerate physical and cognitive decline, precipitating nursing home placement and death. The authors discuss the unique needs of patients with dementia who require acute care, highlighting evidence-based strategies for nurses to incorporate into practice.

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Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/01.NAJ.0000660024.45260.1aDOI Listing

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