Delir prevention in older people: focus on new training materials
Delir prevention in older people: focus on new training materials
The importance of delirium prevention in professional care
delir can have serious health consequences, especially for older people who often suffer from several health impairments. The Center for Quality in Nursing (ZQP) has therefore developed valuable training material in order to convey the necessary knowledge of delirium prevention. This initiative is of great importance because it improves health care and well -being of a vulnerable population group.
A delirium is an acute disturbance of the brain that suddenly occurs and can affect various cognitive functions such as perception, thinking and memory. In the care of older people, it is therefore particularly important to understand that these disorders can significantly influence both the quality of life and the course of treatments.
Studies show that delirium often occurs in older people. Up to 25 percent of the over 65-year-olds already show signs of a delirium when they were admitted to the hospital. In addition, many develop this disorder during their stay in the hospital. People over 80 years of age who live in nursing homes or suffer from various chronic diseases are particularly at risk. Factors such as isolation, frailty and sleep disorders contribute to the increased risk.
To prevent delirium, adequate training of the nursing staff is essential. Daniela Sulmann, Managing Director of the ZQP, emphasizes that an interdisciplinary team should work to identify and minimize the trigger of delirium developments. This includes measures such as reducing stimuli and comprehensive preparation for changing location as well as mobilization and reorientation of those affected.
The training material provided includes a variety of resources that can be used flexibly in different contexts. This includes presentation films, worksheets and learning posters, which not only contain theoretical knowledge, but also practical implementation instructions. These materials are available free of charge and are of particular benefits for nursing staff in further training, workshops and training programs.
The development of this material takes place in cooperation with research projects, such as Trade (transport and delirium in older people), which was supported from 2019 to 2023 by the innovation fund of the Federal Joint Committee. The research results provide valuable insights that have been integrated into the training content.
In summary, it can be said that the initiative of the ZQP for Delir prevention is an important step in improving the quality of care. By gaining the necessary skills and recognizing risk factors at an early stage, not only the health of the elderly patients is promoted, but also reduces the burden for relatives and the health system as a whole. Further information on the training resources of the ZQP and the delirium topic can be called up at
berlin, [current date]