Atypical Presentation of Illness in Older Adults

Symptoms of Hypoactive Delirium: The person “isn’t right” – sudden change in thinking/ mental status, tired (lethargic), staying bed ï?· May or may not have a fever ï?· Change in baseline vital signs (heart rate, weight loss, change in appetite) ï?· Constipation ï?· Underlying Infection Symptoms of Hyperactive Delirium: Behaviors are trying to get out of bed, fighting, fluctuating mental status (CAM) ï?· WILD: Doesn’t stand for the behavior #lol ï?· Water depletion (dehydration) ï?· Infection ï?· Labs, abnormal (hyponatremia, WBCs) ï?· Drugs (new medications, toxicity, adverse effects) Other common presentations in older adults those are different than younger adults.

Author(s): Jamie Smith

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