Differentiating Delirium Versus Dementia in Older Adults

Overview

4.7 out of 5 (27 Reviews)

Credits

1.00

Post-Assessment Questions

4

Start Date

1 Sep 2023

Last Review Date

17 Feb 2025

Expiration Date

31 Aug 2026

Estimated Time To Finish

60 Minutes


 
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Activity Description

Delirium and dementia are common causes of altered mental status in older adult patients. Differentiating between delirium and dementia in older adults may be difficults, as these conditions are often confused due to overlapping symptoms and the conditions frequently coexist. Delirium is an acute, fluctuating disturbance in attention and awareness, typically developing over days to weeks, whereas dementia is a chronic, progressive cognitive decline affecting multiple cognitive domains over months to years. Distinguishing between these conditions can be challenging, particularly in cases of persistent delirium or rapidly progressing dementia.

Delirium is commonly triggered by medical conditions, infections, medications, or metabolic imbalances, while dementia results from neurodegenerative processes such as Alzheimer’s disease or cerebrovascular pathology. Preexisting dementia is a significant risk factor for developing delirium, and when both conditions coexist, they can lead to prolonged hospital stays and increased mortality. This course explores the complexities surrounding the early and accurate differntiation between delirium and dementia in older adults, including the current diagnostic challenges, identifying potential links of these conditions to guide timely interventions. This activity for healthcare professionals is designed to enhance the learner's competence in distinguishing delirium and dementia in older adults, performing the recommended evaluation, and implementing an appropriate interprofessional approach essential for effective management and improved patient outcomes.


Target Audience

This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of physicians, physician associates, nurses, pharmacists, nurse practitioners, and social workers.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, the learner will be better able to:

  • Identify the diagnostic criteria to distinguish dementia and delirium in older adults.

  • Diagnostic studies to differentiate dementia and delirium in older adults.

  • Implement appropriate management for delirium and dementia in elderly patients.

  • Apply effective strategies to improve care coordination among interprofessional team members to facilitate positive outcomes for older patients by accurately and efficiently distinguishing between delirium and dementia.

Disclosures

StatPearls, LLC requires everyone who influences the content of an educational activity to disclose relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies that have occurred within the past 24 months. Ineligible companies are organizations whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. All relevant conflict(s) of interest have been mitigated. Hover over contributor names for financial disclosures. Others involved in planning this educational activity have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Commercial Support: This activity has received NO commercial support.

Continuing Education Accreditation Information

In support of improving patient care, StatPearls, LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.


As a Jointly Accredited Organization, StatPearls, LLC is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. StatPearls, LLC maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive 1.00 continuing education credits.

Social Workers: StatPearls, LLC designates this continuing education activity for 1.00 ASWB ACE credit(s) for social workers. Social Workers should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Please consult your professional licensing board for information on the applicability and acceptance of continuing education credit for this activity.

Method of Participation and Credit

  1. Register for the activity.    
  2. Review the target audience, learning objectives, and disclosure information.
  3. Study the educational content of the enduring material.
  4. Choose the best answer to each activity test question. To receive credit and a certificate, you must pass the test questions with a minimum score of 100%.
  5. Complete the post-activity assessment survey.

If you have concerns regarding the CE/CME system, please contact support@statpearls.com.

Disclaimer

This educational activity was planned and produced in accordance with the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Faculty may discuss investigational products or off-label uses of products regulated by the FDA. Readers should verify all information before employing any therapies described in this educational activity.

The information provided for this activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical/clinical judgment of a healthcare provider relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition. The information presented does not necessarily reflect the views of StatPearls or any commercial supporters of educational activities on statpearls.com. StatPearls expressly disclaims responsibility for any adverse consequences resulting directly or indirectly from information in the course, for undetected error, or through a participant's misunderstanding of the content.

Unapproved Uses of Drugs/Devices: In accordance with FDA requirements, the audience is advised that information presented in this continuing education activity may contain references to unlabeled or unapproved uses of drugs or devices. Please refer to the FDA-approved package insert for each drug/device for full prescribing/utilization information.

Cancellation Policy: Please see the cancellation policy. StatPearls, LLC reserves the right to cancel any course due to unforeseen circumstances.

 

 
 

Reviews

Rex G. on 7/5/2024

Arash S. on 4/22/2023

Marc D. on 4/17/2023

Daniel C. on 4/12/2023

JOSE P. on 2/8/2023

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Jason L. on 8/28/2023

Peter M. on 6/12/2023

Roshni P. on 11/16/2024

Kathleen M. on 12/31/2024

Daniel C. on 2/12/2025

Daniel R. on 11/28/2022

Jeffrey F. on 10/26/2024

angela m. on 9/23/2024

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