Orientation strategies during delirium: are they helpful?
When delirium is experienced during hospitalisation, health care staff have a responsibility to provide care that is person-centred and sensitive to the older person's needs. It has been assumed that no harm comes from the use of orientation approaches, and delirium management guidelines have recommended this approach. However, orientation strategies can lead to mistrust of, and distancing from, health care staff and family, so impeding their relationships with carers. Care practices that consider the older person to be unique and that synchronise with the older person's changing experiences of reality are suggested for further research.
A short-term nutritional intervention consisting of oral nutritional supplements and calcium and vitamin D supplementation and supported by dietetic counseling in malnourished older adults decreases the number of patients who fall and fall incidents.