Delirium Assessment in Critically Ill Older Adults: Considerations During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Older adults are particularly vulnerable during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, because higher age increases risk for both delirium and COVID-19-related death. Despite the health care system limitations and the clinical challenges of the pandemic, delirium screening and management remains an evidence-based cornerstone of critical care. This article discusses practical recommendations for delirium screening in the COVID-19 pandemic era, tips for training health care workers in delirium screening, validated tools for detecting delirium in critically ill older adults, and approaches to special populations of older adults (eg, sensory impairment, dementia, acute neurologic injury).

Keywords: Assessment; Critical care; Delirium; Geriatrics; Intensive care unit; Older adults; Pandemic; Screening.